Aurora Meldreth Manor School

School material change inspection report

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Aurora Meldreth Manor School Fenny Lane, Meldreth, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 6LG

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school has a well-considered child protection policy that reflects relevant contextual issues that the pupils may face. Safeguarding arrangements are robust. There are different levels of scrutiny in place to help ensure pupils are kept safe. A newly appointed designated safeguarding lead oversees safeguarding at the school, children’s home and residential home. This ensures consistency of approach between home and school. Staff are trained to record incidents accurately, and the safeguarding team respond to any concerns promptly. A two-week onboarding process where new staff shadow colleagues and undergo relevant training ensures they are confident and competent when they start their role. The on-site therapy team provide ongoing additional support and training when needed. The proprietor will continue to monitor to ensure that safeguarding procedures are consistently implemented and

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Main inspection findings

remain effective over time. Paragraph 11  The health and safety policy is clear and relevant to the setting. Staff receive appropriate training relevant to the school and the pupils they support. Individual risk assessments for pupils are clear and easy to follow. Systems to record and monitor accidents and near misses are robust. Leaders regularly report and analyse this information and work quickly to prevent future incidents. There are high levels of coordination and oversight, which ensure any potential patterns are quickly identified and addressed. Paragraph 12  The school ensures that annual fire risk assessments are carried out appropriately to confirm safety and compliance. Any recommendations are quickly acted upon to ensure the site is safe. The school regularly carries out fire drills so staff and pupils can practise exiting the school in a timely manner. Clear and precise personal emergency evacuation plans are in place for pupils who require support exiting the

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Main inspection findings

premises in an emergency. Paragraph 14  Staff deployment across the school is implemented logically. Clear systems identify where and when pupils are supported by additional adults, ensuring support is targeted and purposeful. Leaders maintain a careful overview of staff training and expertise so pupils are consistently supported by well-trained adults. Staff from the children’s care home also contribute to in-school support, providing an additional layer of expertise and continuity. The school monitors the allocation of support closely, providing an appropriate balance between consistency and variety to meet pupils’ individual needs. The same level of care is evident in the supervision of playtimes and lunchtimes, ensuring pupils are safe, cared for, and happy throughout the school day. Plans to increase pupil numbers in certain classes are sensibly staged, with additional adults introduced proportionally to maintain high standards of support.

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Main inspection findings

 Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school’s risk assessments are robust. Policies are clear and easy to access and understand. Risk assessments are accessible and easy to follow. This ensures that adults who work regularly with the pupils are knowledgeable about risks to pupils and how to keep them safe. Staff also make sure that visitors are appropriately supported to comply with these risk assessments. There are many specialists on site, including a nurse, who provide valuable expertise where needed. The proprietor will amend the school’s risk assessments to demonstrate to staff how it will cater for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Regular staff meetings, including with staff from the children’s care home, ensure a joined-up and collaborative approach to supporting pupils.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1) to 18(3), 19(2) to 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(b)(iii), 21(1) to 21(8)  The school carries out all required pre-employment checks on staff in line with statutory guidance, reflecting its strong commitment to safeguarding. Robust procedures and effective collaboration between school leaders and the group’s central team help to ensure that appropriate checks are consistently in place.  Quality assurance processes for the single central record are thorough and well embedded. Leaders demonstrate secure knowledge of pre-recruitment requirements, regularly sampling records to check that key verifications such as right to work and Disclosure and Barring Service checks are complete and accurate.  The deployment of supply staff is carefully considered, with agency staff supported by experienced colleagues to ensure pupils continue to receive appropriate care and

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Main inspection findings

support.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 23(2), 25 to 28(2)(b)  The school site is impeccably clean and well maintained. The environment is calm and clear of unnecessary clutter or physical risks to pupils. Each classroom has air conditioning to keep pupils cool. The rooms are well designed for the pupils who use them. There is sufficient space to accommodate more pupils if required. The tables and chairs are the right height and size for the pupils to use comfortably. Likewise, there are different-size toilets for the pupils to use. Many classrooms have a secure outside space for pupils to access. Padded matting on the floor allows pupils to play safely. Lighting is appropriate for the different activities, and external lighting ensures visibility when entering and exiting the building. There are showers for pupils to use,

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Main inspection findings

which are adapted appropriately for different physical needs.  In addition, spaces such as physiotherapy rooms, dining rooms and the medical room are suitably designed to meet pupils’ needs. The medical room and medicine cabinets are locked for pupils’ safety. There are clearly visible lists of which staff are trained in different first aid or medical requirements. Designated staff have oversight of this area to ensure it is well stocked and compliant. Throughout the school, drinking-water taps are clearly labelled. Hot water taps are at the appropriate temperature to prevent burns. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The outdoor space provides pupils with ample opportunities for exercise and play. There are activities such as swings and standing spinners that pupils can play on. In addition, there is a large, grassed area for pupils to use for games and exercise. A large tent has been erected on site. This allows pupils to safely participate in the Duke

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Main inspection findings

of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  Leaders articulate a clear strategic vision focused on sustained improvement. A recent restructure has strengthened capacity, for example, by introducing subject leadership roles. Governance is supported by appropriate checks and balances, ensuring governors have a realistic understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for development. Leaders feel supported and confident that expert advice is accessible when needed.  Leaders draw on a wide range of external expertise to enhance provision further. They engage constructively with recommendations from experienced colleagues such as headteachers and their school improvement partner to further refine and improve their work.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusivity. Leaders and staff work

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Main inspection findings

proactively to identify and meet pupils’ individual needs, ensuring that pupils can successfully access their curriculum pathway and wider school life. Ongoing, targeted staff training ensures that staff are well equipped to support pupils effectively, including those with complex communication and physical needs.

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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

School category Independent special school

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School details

Website www.theauroragroup.co.uk/meldrethmanor school Email address meldreth.manor@the-aurora-group.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 8 to 10 October 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 19 6 to 19 6 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 47 60 60

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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 47 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 47 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 47 60

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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 47 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 6 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 57 57

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Information about this school

 The school serves up to 50 pupils, many of whom have profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and need extensive support with most aspects of daily life. Some pupils have specific learning difficulties, such as those associated with autism, and there are also pupils with life-limiting conditions. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school is linked to a children’s home which accommodates children with PMLD. It is separately registered with and inspected by Ofsted. There is also a residential home for young adults with PMLD aged 18 to 30. It is separately registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission. The children’s home and residential home are owned by Aurora Care and Education Opco Limited. A principal manages the school, children’s home and residential home, with some staff working across the three settings.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.

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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 its pupil capacity from 50 to 60. This was the school’s first material change inspection for the proposed expansion.  The inspector evaluated the school’s compliance in key areas, including safeguarding and staff recruitment, health and safety arrangements, the quality of leadership and management and the suitability of the premises.  The inspector met with leaders, including the headteacher, the chair of governors and the group health and safety lead.  The inspector scrutinised documentation, including policies, risk assessments and the school’s self-evaluation framework, along with touring the school site. The inspector also scrutinised the school’s single central record of recruitment and vetting checks.

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Inspection team

Bessie Owen, 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

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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