Adventure Wellbeing School

School material change inspection report

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Adventure Wellbeing School Sherwood House, Gadbrook Road, Rudheath, Northwich CW9 7TN

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that there is an up-to-date, suitable safeguarding policy in place. The policy is published on the school’s website. The school has effective arrangements in place to keep pupils safe and promote their welfare. For example, staff receive regular training and support so that they can identify pupils who may be at risk of harm. This includes training about the vulnerabilities of the pupils who attend the school.  Leaders share regular safeguarding updates and briefings with staff. The school takes timely and appropriate action to respond to any safeguarding concerns. It maintains detailed safeguarding records. The school is currently in the process of recruiting an additional senior leader with specific responsibility for safeguarding. This is to further strengthen leadership capacity and expertise.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 11, 12, and 16 to 16(b)  The proprietor has a written health and safety policy. This is tailored to the premises of the school, including the additional school buildings on the same site. It is updated regularly to ensure that it is compliant with all relevant legislation. There are monitoring procedures in place to ensure that suitable health and safety checks are completed regularly. The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire evacuation routes are well lit and clearly signposted. The school carries out regular fire-safety checks of the premises and maintenance of fire-safety equipment to ensure that risks are reduced. All classrooms and spaces have clear routes of escape to safety. These arrangements are suitable to accommodate the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll, should it increase.  A written risk assessment policy is in place. A range of risk assessments show that the

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Main inspection findings

school takes appropriate actions to reduce identified risks to pupils and staff. There are robust risk assessments in place for each pupil to ensure that their specific needs and circumstances are considered. Paragraph 14  Staffing levels are appropriately high. Pupils are supervised at all times, including lunchtimes and breaktimes. The school is appointing additional staff in preparation for an increase in pupil numbers. The proposed number of new staff will help to ensure that pupils will continue to be appropriately supervised throughout the school day, should the material change be approved.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(4), 19(1) to 19(4), 20(6), and 21  The single central record is in place and contains all the necessary information. The

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Main inspection findings

school completes all the required checks on the suitability of staff before they take up their appointments.  Records relating to members of the proprietor body are included on the single central record. All the suitability checks, including those relating to supply staff and the leadership and management of the school, have also been carried out. This includes those checks required under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.  Leaders have completed appropriate safer recruitment training to support the appointment of suitable staff to work in a school. They have ensured that any new employees have the experience that they need to meet the needs of the pupils in the school. The induction programme for new staff ensures that they undergo a wide range of safeguarding and other related training upon appointment.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is

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Main inspection findings

approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 and 23  The proprietor has ensured that the size of the premises, and the range of high- quality resources available, are suitable to cater for the increased number of pupils, should the material change be approved. There are distinct rooms and spaces to accommodate different activities. For example, there are designated classrooms, breakout rooms, a multi-use hall and a room for ‘messy’ activities. Some spaces are designated as sensory and therapy rooms.  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities in the school building for the sole use of pupils. The toilet cubicles can be secured from the inside. There is a toilet that is suitable for pupils and staff with disabilities which is also available for visitors to use. There are sufficient toilet and washing facilities to accommodate the increased number of pupils. Paragraph 24

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Main inspection findings

 There is a designated medical room for pupils in the school to use. It has a bed, pillow and blanket. There is easy access to a toilet and washing facilities. The room is equipped with a first-aid kit and a lockable medicine cabinet. Paragraphs 25 to 28  The school’s premises are maintained to an extremely high standard. The school meets all requirements relating to the health, safety and welfare of pupils, including for the proposed additional pupils. The building is bright, clean and tidy. All of the rooms used by pupils have appropriate acoustics, lighting and heating suitable for their purpose. There is external lighting to ensure that pupils, staff, parents and carers and visitors can enter and leave the site and building safely in the hours of darkness.  There is an adequate supply of hot and cold water. Drinking-water is available for pupils throughout the day. It is clearly labelled. Paragraph 29

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Main inspection findings

 The school grounds provide sufficient outdoor space for the proposed increase in the number of pupils. All pupils have access to a safe and secure outdoor area. The outdoor space is suitable for physical education lessons. However, the school also makes use of other nearby sports facilities for this purpose.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34 to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and school leaders demonstrate an excellent understanding of the standards. There are robust systems and procedures in place to monitor compliance. The proprietor and school leaders have the knowledge and experience required to carry out their roles successfully and to accommodate the material change requested. They are committed to providing a high quality of education for pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is

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Main inspection findings

approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan fully reflects the school’s statutory responsibilities. The proprietor has ensured that the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Adventure Wellbeing Schools Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £50,000 to £68,000

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School details

Email address nicola.sothern@awschools.com

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 4 to 11 4 to 11 4 to 11

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 8 108 108

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 8 108

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 8 108

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 8 108

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 8 108

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 7 45

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Information about this school

 The school is located at Sherwood House, Gadbrook Road, Rudheath, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 7TN.  The school caters for pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). All pupils at the school have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.  The school is registered to admit up to 50 pupils. The school currently has eight pupils on roll.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) has commissioned this material change inspection to check whether the school is likely to meet the standards if it increases the number of pupils on its roll. This is the first material change that the proprietor has applied for.  The inspector checked those aspects of parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 of the standards that are relevant to the material change application.  The inspector made a tour of the premises with the chair of the proprietor body and the headteacher.  Meetings were held with the chair of the proprietor body, the headteacher, the special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) and the school’s business manager.  The inspector spoke with some staff and pupils about their experiences at the school.  The inspector also looked at a range of documents and policies relevant to the material change request. The inspector also checked documents relating to safeguarding, including the single central record of pre-employment checks.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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