Compass Community School Pinetree Park

School material change inspection report

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Owlswick School Newhaven Road, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 3NF

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b) and part 6, paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school has published a safeguarding policy which meets all current statutory requirements on its website. The policy makes clear that safeguarding is ‘everybody’s responsibility’ and sets out suitable arrangements for induction and training. In practice, the school’s culture and safeguarding arrangements are secure. Safeguarding leaders are responsive to the school’s particular context and the additional vulnerabilities of pupils who attend.  The school keeps detailed safeguarding records. These show that prompt and appropriate action is taken when concerns arise. There is regular communication with other safeguarding partners. Following incidents, the school regularly checks that the correct procedures have been followed. It also updates individual pupils’ risk assessments and plans as necessary.  There are systematic procedures in place for investigating allegations about adults.

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Main inspection findings

The school consults appropriately with the local authority officer who is designated for these matters. Records of investigations make clear the outcomes and necessary next steps. Paragraphs 9 to 10  The school’s positive ethos and approach around behaviour management seek to balance empathy, understanding and high expectation. There is a strong emphasis on rewarding and building on positives while supporting pupils to reflect if their behaviour ‘falls below expectations’. The school is proactive in minimising or removing potential triggers and causes of adverse behaviour.  Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and respectful. Staff are well prepared to receive pupils as they arrive or transition through the day. The school keeps thorough records about pupils’ behaviour and any intervention the school makes. It analyses these records closely and takes proactive steps to secure necessary improvements.

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Main inspection findings

 There has been a considerable reduction in recorded rates of bullying this year compared with the previous year. Incidents are now rare. The school attributes the improvement to the strength of its personal, social and health education, a stronger and more positive culture and a more tightly structured day. Records show that concerns are taken seriously, thoroughly investigated and dealt with effectively. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14 and 16 to 16(b)  The existing allocation of staff is likely to allow for the additional pupils proposed to be well supervised. Arrangements for supervision are well planned. A senior leader, teacher and teaching assistant are always allocated to the hub site for the small number of pupils educated there.  The school has suitable policies and arrangements in place to promote other aspects of pupils’ welfare, health and safety. The proprietor body has commissioned experts to

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Main inspection findings

conduct fire risk assessments for both sites. It has acted promptly on the recommendations received. Records of the school’s routine fire-safety checks are up to date.  Risk assessments are completed in line with the school’s policy. They are regularly reviewed and updated. There are effective arrangements to ensure that risk assessment is not just a paper-based exercise but has a direct impact on practice. For example, ‘grab sheets’ outline important information about individual pupils in the event of an incident. The proprietor body has updated its external visits policy in line with recommendations made by the local authority following a review. The policy includes a detailed section covering any overnight stays.  The proprietor has ensured that the paragraphs that were checked in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

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Main inspection findings

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(6), 21(7)(a) and 21(7)(b)  The single central record shows that all of the required checks of staff, agency staff, contractors and members of the proprietor body have been carried out.  Using the proprietor body’s specialist human resources team, procedures for checking the suitability of staff are well established. The proprietor has reviewed its safer recruitment procedures from advert to appointment to ensure they comply with statutory guidance. It signposts robust procedures regarding its use of references as part of this process.  The proprietor has ensured that the requirements in this part are likely to continue to be met should this material change be granted. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to (24)(1)(b) and 24(2) to 29(1)(b)  The school has a strong track record of meeting the standards around its premises

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Main inspection findings

and accommodation. The school’s ‘hub’ site was previously registered as a separate independent school. Pupils are selected to be based at the hub, as necessary, according to individual risk assessment. There is enough space at the main site for flexibility in the proportion of the proposed capacity that could attend this site, depending on pupils’ particular needs and suitable social groups.  The proprietor has invested in recent improvements to the environment inside and out, including a ‘rig’ of outdoor gym equipment. The environment is clean, attractive and well maintained. The neatly organised libraries, tidy resource areas and attractive displays reflect positively on pupils’ respectful behaviour.  Both premises meet other required specifications around lighting, sound and space, both internally and externally. The school has allocated separate individual toilets for staff and pupils. Drinking water is clearly labelled and shower facilities are available.

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Main inspection findings

There is suitable provision for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met should this material change be granted. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The school has had a history of frequent changes of headteacher. Nonetheless, since the school has been run by this proprietor body, it has a strong track record of meeting the independent school standards at successive inspections. Regardless, the proprietor recognises the importance of stability. It is committed to recruit and retain high-calibre senior leaders and has taken positive and meaningful steps towards this.  Despite the turnover at headteacher level, several long-standing teachers provide valuable stability. They express positive views about the school and signpost improvements that it has made. The school environment reflects their high

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Main inspection findings

expectation, pride and aspiration.  The rationale for the school’s proposed expansion is sound. In effect, it has been part of a long-term strategic plan of merging two very small schools. The aim of forming a slightly larger, single school was that pupils could benefit from a broader curriculum and more specialist teaching. Current arrangements and plans indicate that this ambition would likely be met.  The proprietor and school recognise that, in the past, the combination of pupils on roll in such a small community has caused a fractious atmosphere. The proprietor and school have taken steps to improve processes for the admission of new pupils. The school is committed to managing any expansion gradually, taking account of the needs of both existing and new pupils.  The proprietor has well-established structures and systems in place to support the school and to hold it to account. It expresses full confidence in the current leadership

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Main inspection findings

team. The proprietor has close oversight of the school’s safeguarding culture and arrangements. It has ensured recent learning at this school has been shared company wide.  The proprietor has ensured that the standard in this part is likely to be met should the material change be 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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Website www.compass- schools.org/schools/public/owlswick/ Email address admin@compass-schools.org

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 3 to 5 October 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 19 10 to 19 10 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 10 on roll with a capacity of 15 22 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 10 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 10 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 8 22

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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 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 7.4 8.8

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Information about this school

 Owlswick School caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Pupils may have associated diagnoses, such as autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pupils who attend have often experienced trauma and may be in care. They typically have fractured histories of education.  Most pupils have an education, health and care plan and all have been placed at the school by a local authority.  Although the school is registered as ‘mixed’ sex, all pupils currently on roll are male.  The school’s previous full standard inspection took place from 3 to 5 October 2023.  Inspectors were aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since the previous inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the school in response to the incident were considered alongside the

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Information about this school

other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.  The headteacher has changed since the previous inspection. The current headteacher took up their post in January 2024.  The school does not currently use any alternative provision.  The school operates from its main registered address and a ‘hub’ site a few miles away.  The proprietor intends to change the school’s name to ‘Pinetree Park’ from September 2025.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor has applied to make changes to the school’s registration. The proprietor wishes to expand the school’s capacity from 15 to 22 pupils.  The purpose of the inspection was to see if the school would be likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the requested change was implemented.  This was the first inspection regarding this change. The inspector considered the school’s proposed plans, had a tour of the school’s premises at its main and hub sites, and examined a range of records and processes for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils and staff. He checked the single central record of pre-employment checks.  The inspector met with the proprietor’s regional director, the headteacher and deputy headteachers. He spoke with other staff and pupils. The inspector also met online with the chief executive officer who is also the chair of the proprietor body, the chair

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Information about this inspection

of governors, the senior director for education and the senior director of quality and safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Clive Dunn, 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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