Compass Community School Willow Park

School material change inspection report

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Compass Community School Willow Park Willow Street, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax HX6 2BU

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The school meets the independent school

standards relevant to the material change.

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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)(c)  The school has a comprehensive and suitable safeguarding policy. It details the school’s approach to safeguarding pupils. It takes account of the latest statutory guidance. It is published on the school’s and proprietor’s websites.  The proprietor body understands its responsibilities to safeguard pupils. It provides the school with specialist advice and support from a team of social workers and therapists. These professionals help the school to support the welfare of pupils and ensure safeguarding is the school’s highest priority.  The school has taken appropriate steps to ensure that the school can meet the welfare and safeguarding needs of the increased number of pupils. A designated safeguarding lead (DSL) has oversight of both school sites, and a deputy DSL is located at each school site. The school has also trained other members of staff to the

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Main inspection findings

required level to support safeguarding leads, when necessary.  Staff receive appropriate safeguarding training to support the welfare, health and safety of pupils. The school revisits aspects of the training regularly. This ensures that staff keep up to date with current statutory guidance and any national or local safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding leads receive suitable external safeguarding training and collaborate closely with the local authority to keep pupils safe.  The school ensures that pupils get the help they need. Leaders work proactively and positively with external agencies, local authorities and other schools to keep pupils safe. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 32(1)(b)  The school has an appropriate health and safety policy. The policy is published on the school’s website.  The proprietor has renovated the new additional school site to a high standard. The school has implemented rigorous procedures across both school sites to ensure that

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Main inspection findings

the school will continue to meet relevant health and safety laws.  Leaders have carefully considered potential hazards for pupils and staff. Both school premises are sensitively designed to keep pupils safe, promote their welfare and meet pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well.  The school is compliant with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire risk assessments have been completed on both school sites. The proprietor has ensured that the additional school site will adequately support the increase in pupil numbers. Fire safety procedures are clearly outlined for staff. Fire safety equipment is in place across both sites and serviced regularly.  The school has implemented the same evacuation procedures across both school sites. Staff practise these procedures with pupils, including those new to the school, so that they know what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has ensured that pupils are adequately supervised at different times of the school day. Additional staff have been recruited to support the increase in pupil numbers. The school considers pupils’ specific needs and SEND provision when allocating staff to supervise pupils. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  The school has an effective risk assessment policy. It identifies for staff the possible health and safety risks in the school environment across both school sites and beyond. Risk assessments show how the school identifies risks and the actions staff can take to manage them.  The proprietor has carefully checked the suitability of the school buildings to accommodate the proposed increase in the number of pupils. The main school site and the additional premises are well equipped to keep pupils safe and support them to learn well in a positive, nurturing environment. For example, over both school sites,

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Main inspection findings

class sizes will be small with an appropriate number of teaching and support staff. In addition, resources including sensory rooms, soft-play areas and outdoor play equipment meet pupils’ sensory needs well.  The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards (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 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3) to 18(4)(c), 19(1) 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), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  The school completes the necessary checks on staff to make sure that they are suitable to work with children. School leaders have completed the necessary training to ensure that the school complies with statutory requirements for the safe recruitment of staff.  The single central record contains the statutory information for staff and leaders, including members of the proprietor body. It details who carried out the checks and when. Suitable arrangements are in place for the proprietor to monitor recruitment procedures.  The school has high expectations of staff. Recruitment procedures aim to appoint staff with relevant experience and the required expertise to teach and support pupils with

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Main inspection findings

SEND. All staff have thorough induction training after appointment to help them to fulfil their roles well. This includes a range of safeguarding training, health and safety awareness and teaching and learning guidance.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(2), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The proprietor has purchased an additional school site and renovated it to a high standard. The additional site provides extra capacity to meet the increase in pupil numbers appropriately. The proprietor ensures that both school sites are maintained in accordance with health and safety legislation.  Classrooms are light and airy. Acoustics are suitable. There is adequate internal and external lighting. The additional school site has facilities which enhance the provision for all pupils, such as a sports hall and computer suite.  Washing and toilet facilities are appropriate. Hot water does not pose a risk from scalding.  Leaders have made sure that the school buildings are accessible. An accessible toilet is available at both sites. Each school site has suitable medical rooms. These have

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Main inspection findings

appropriate first-aid equipment and facilities to care for the medical and short-term care of injured or ill pupils.  The school has developed high-quality facilities to support the increase in pupil numbers and the range of pupils’ SEND well. For example, sensory rooms located at both school sites help pupils to calm and regulate their behaviour. Soft-play areas help pupils to develop their physical and social skills.  There are appropriate spaces inside and outside for pupils to socialise, take part in sports and to play. Suitable changing and showering facilities are provided in school.  The school is suitably furnished across both sites. There are sufficient resources provided for the increase in pupil numbers. The resources are high quality and appropriate to the ages and stages of pupils. The new additional site has enabled the school to extend its curriculum and provision for pupils. For example, there is a well-

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Main inspection findings

stocked kitchen and canteen area, where pupils of all ages can develop their catering skills.  The school is likely to meet 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 Paragraph 34(1) to 34 (2)  The proprietor and school leaders possess the necessary knowledge and experience to ensure that as the material change is implemented, the relevant standards continue to be met. They have appointed staff who are suitably qualified and skilled. They understand their statutory responsibilities for annual reviews of pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans.  The proprietor has applied to increase the number of pupils on the school’s roll in response to an increasing demand for school places in the local area and the positive reputation of the school. The school intends for the number of pupils to increase gradually. This is to ensure that current and new pupils are appropriately supported and receive the best possible care and education.  The proprietor maintains effective oversight of the school. They ensure that regular

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Main inspection findings

checks are carried out on the safety of pupils. The school benefits from its work with colleagues working in other schools within the proprietor’s company. Staff access high-quality training and coaching to support their teaching and professional development.  The school has suitable policies and procedures to ensure that the welfare of pupils remains high priority. The additional school site mirrors the main school site in its procedures and the way it is staffed and organised. This has supported the smooth introduction of the increase in pupil numbers and the appointment of additional staff.  Leaders including the proprietor, have a secure grasp of the requirements of the independent school standards. They understand their roles and responsibilities. They make sure that their checks on the school’s compliancy with the standards remain rigorous.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has a suitable accessibility policy and plan. The school meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 effectively.

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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

Website www.compass-schools.org/willow-park/

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School details

Email address willow.park@compass-schools.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 1 to 3 November 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 18 6 to 18 Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 66 105 105

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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 66 105

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 66 105

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 66 105

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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 66 105

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 14 16

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Information about this school

 The school’s last standard inspection took place in November 2022.  The school does not currently use alternative provision.  The school operates from two separate premises. The main school site is located at Willow Street, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax HX6 2BU. The second school site is approximately 2.5 miles from the main school. It is located at Willow Dean, Richmond Street, Halifax, Yorkshire HX1 5SX.  The school is registered to admit 45 pupils. The school currently has 66 pupils on roll and has, therefore, already implemented the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  The school provides education for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Some pupils have additional needs, including related to autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Most have cognition, learning, communication and interaction needs. All pupils have an EHC plan.  The school admits pupils from the local authorities of Calderdale, Bradford and Kirklees.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned this inspection to check the suitability of the school to accommodate an increase in pupil numbers. The proprietor would like to increase the maximum number of pupils on the school’s roll from 45 to 105. The material change has already been implemented.  This was the third material change inspection requested by the school.  The inspectors held meetings with the headteacher and two members of the proprietor body. Inspectors toured both school sites with school leaders, including the regional director and a deputy headteacher.  To check compliance with the independent school standards, inspectors also reviewed the school’s relevant policies and information available on the school’s website.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding and the arrangements for staff recruitment, inspectors reviewed the school’s single central record and met with the school’s DSL. An inspector also reviewed a sample of the school’s safeguarding

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Inspection team

Stephanie Innes-Taylor, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Richard Jones 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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