Oakwood Community School

School material change inspection report

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Oakwood Community School Heath Road, Barlestone, Bagworth, Leicestershire, Leicestershire CV13 0JD

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1) and 31(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date. It adheres to current government guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. The proprietor ensures that staff understand the policy and implement it effectively.  The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and the deputy DSLs are suitably trained. They are knowledgeable about safeguarding matters and how to protect children from harm.  Staff receive frequent safeguarding training, as well as training that is specific to the needs of the pupils attending the school. Staff are aware of the increased vulnerabilities of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) regarding safeguarding. They know the signs that a child may be suffering harm.  Staff understand the procedures to follow should any safeguarding concerns arise.

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Main inspection findings

They report concerns promptly. Safeguarding records are thorough. When necessary, the school works closely with other safeguarding agencies to ensure that pupils and their families get the right support.  Staff know pupils well. They greet pupils warmly at the start of each day. Staff take time to check on pupils’ welfare and help them to settle. Pupils appreciate the care provided by staff. Pupils feel valued, respected and listened to. They describe the school as a safe place. Pupils praise the school’s calm, nurturing environment. Paragraphs 11 and 12  The school has a suitable health and safety policy. Leaders ensure that the policy is implemented effectively by providing staff with suitable health and safety training.  Frequent checks, overseen by the school’s compliance operations lead, make sure that the school’s facilities and equipment are safe and maintained to a high standard. The school also works with a range of external consultants to ensure that the premises are

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Main inspection findings

safe.  The proprietor ensures that the school meets the independent school standard related to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  Leaders make sure that fire safety equipment is in good working order. Fire evacuation drills are conducted at regular intervals so that pupils and staff know how to leave buildings quickly and safely. Paragraph 14  Pupils are appropriately supervised at all points throughout the school day, including at breaktimes and lunchtimes. A high staff-to-pupil ratio is in place at both of the school’s sites. This means that the school can meet pupils’ special educational needs and keep them safe. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  Risk assessments are carried out in accordance with the school’s written risk assessment policy. The policy sets out when risk assessments must take place and how they must be recorded.  Risk assessments for the school’s facilities, activities and events, as well as individual

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Main inspection findings

risk assessments for all pupils, identify levels of risk, as well as the control measures required to mitigate them.  The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards (the standards) in these parts if the material changes are implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), and 21(5)(c) to 21(6)  The school has appropriate procedures in place to recruit the additional staff needed for the material changes, should they be approved.  The school adheres to current government guidance issued by the Secretary of State when recruiting new staff.  Leaders have a secure understanding of the checks they must carry out before new staff begin working with children, including the information they must request from agencies when employing supply staff.  All recruitment checks are completed prior to new staff taking up their position at the school.  Leaders keep accurate records of the recruitment checks that they complete on the school’s single central record.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material changes are

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c) and 28(1) to 28(2)(b)  At both sites, the school’s premises have suitable toilets and washing facilities for the sole use of pupils. All washing facilities have hot and cold running water. The hot water supply does not present a risk of scalding.  There are suitable changing and shower facilities for pupils to use at both school sites.  Pupils have ready access to drinking water. There is clear signage to indicate which taps provide water that is safe to drink. Paragraph 24(1) to 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  There are medical rooms available at both sites for the short-term care of pupils who are ill. In each room, there are washing facilities, a bed and first-aid equipment. The medical rooms are located close to toilet facilities. Paragraph 25  The buildings at both premises, including the proposed additional building on the Chantry Lane site called Birch House, are maintained to a high standard and comply

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Main inspection findings

with the standards relating to welfare, health and safety.  Birch House, a former children’s home, has sufficient space and facilities to accommodate the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll. Paragraphs 26 to 27(b)  The acoustic conditions at the premises are conducive to learning.  Rooms benefit from ample natural light, as well as suitable electrical lighting.  Automatic external lighting ensures that the premises can be accessed safely when it is dark. Paragraph 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The school benefits from ample outdoor space for pupils’ recreation and physical education, including a mature, fenced woodland at the Heath Road site.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material changes are implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and school leaders understand the requirements of the independent school standards well. They have put effective quality assurance systems in place to ensure that the standards are met consistently.  The proprietor has grown the school over the last five years, increasing the school’s capacity gradually. They have managed previous material changes successfully, in line with the independent school standards.  There is a clear rationale as to why the school wants to increase the number of pupils on its roll. This is in response to the increased demand for school places for pupils with SEND.  The proprietor has made appropriate plans so that the school can accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers at its Chantry Lane site, through the use of Birch House.  The proprietor, school leaders and staff prioritise and promote the welfare of pupils.

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Main inspection findings

They put pupils’ interests first.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material changes are implemented.

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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 changes.

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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 United Education Services Limited

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 7 to 9 February 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 18 5 to 18 5 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 86 120 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 86 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 86 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 86 120

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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 86 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 20 25

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Information about this school

 Oakwood Community School caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  The school is registered to provide education for up to 100 pupils. There are currently 86 pupils on the school’s roll.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan and are funded by a variety of local authorities.  The school is located across two sites: Heath Road, Barlestone, Bagworth, Leicestershire CV13 0JD; and Cedarwood, Chantry Lane, Groby Road, Leicester, Leicestershire LE3 9QJ.  The school has taken possession of a former children’s home at its Chantry Lane site called Birch House. The school plans to use Birch House to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Birch House is not being used currently. It will not be used until the school receives permission to implement the material changes.  The school makes use of four unregistered alternative provisions.  The previous standard inspection took place in February 2023. The school was judged

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned this material change inspection in response to the school’s application to increase the number of pupils it can admit from 100 to 120 pupils. This was the school’s first material change inspection for the proposed change.  The inspector considered the suitability of the school’s provision in relation to the arrangements for safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety, the supervision of pupils and risk assessment; the recruitment of staff; the suitability of the premises and accommodation; and the quality of leadership and management.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body. He spoke with the headteacher, senior leaders and some staff. He also met with some pupils.  The inspector reviewed policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment. He scrutinised the school’s single central record.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector undertook a tour of the school’s premises, including Birch House at the Chantry Lane site.

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Inspection team

Shaun Carter, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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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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