G.E.M Hereford

School material change inspection report

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G.E.M Hereford Trinity House, 31 Barricombe Drive, Hereford HR4 0NU

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy complies with current guidance and is published on the school’s website. The policy is implemented effectively. The school has comprehensive safeguarding procedures in place. The school intends that the implementation of the policy will be equally as effective and robust at the additional premises should the material change be approved.  The school provides staff with safeguarding training so that they understand their responsibilities and know how to report concerns. Leaders review concerns and take appropriate action to ensure that pupils are not at further risk. Paragraphs 11,12,14,16 to 16(b)  The school has an appropriate health and safety policy which is regularly reviewed. The school ensures that there are well-considered checks and procedures routinely

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Main inspection findings

conducted across the premises. The school intends that the additional premises will be incorporated into the routine checks for health and safety.  The school has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The school has recently updated the fire risk action plans to take account of the proposed increase in pupil numbers and the additional premises.  The school intends for class sizes to remain small. The proprietor has considered the needs of the pupils at the school. Staff are deployed in high ratios when learning, and during social times. The school intends that this will continue should the material change to increase pupil numbers be approved.  The proprietor has ensured that the school identifies and takes action to mitigate against any risks. The school has an appropriate and suitably detailed risk assessment policy in place.  The school has completed risk assessments for the planned additional premises,

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Main inspection findings

including considering how traffic can be managed so that pupils are safe when arriving at and leaving school each day.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved and implemented. 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), 21(5)(c) to 21(6)  Leaders have experience and knowledge of safe recruitment procedures. The school undertakes all necessary pre-employment checks. These checks are recorded on the school’s single central record.  The school completes all required checks prior to the employment of staff. It also makes checks relating to section 128 of the Education and Skills act 2008 to ensure that staff with leadership responsibilities are suitable to manage a school.  Leaders are aware of the procedures and checks they should follow in the event of

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Main inspection findings

employing supply staff to ensure these staff are suitable to work with pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved and implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The additional premises have been renovated and equipped to a high standard and are ready to be used as part of the school should the material change be approved. The school intends to teach mainly younger pupils at the current site and older pupils at the additional premises. There is space across both buildings to accommodate the proposed number of pupils.  The school buildings have adequate toilet facilities for the proposed number of pupils. All toilets are lockable from inside and have warm, temperature-controlled water for washing.  There are suitable showering and changing facilities available for pupils. The school

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Main inspection findings

also has arrangements in place to use local sports facilities for some physical education lessons.  There is a suitably equipped medical room in both buildings with washing facilities and close proximity to a toilet. The rooms are stocked with suitable supplies, and these are regularly checked and restocked.  The school has a number of spaces for teaching. Some are small, providing a homely environment. All are well lit with natural light. The acoustic conditions are suitable for teaching and learning.  Both buildings have adequate internal and external lighting.  Pupils have access to drinking water at all times, and this is labelled clearly.  The proposed new site has secure, spacious well-maintained gardens, lawns and a paddock area for outside play and physical education. The existing site has grassed areas and a tarmac area that are suitable for the same purposes.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is

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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 school’s request for a material change to increase numbers is in response to demand from local authorities for places. The proprietor’s rationale and plans to accommodate the material change are well considered. Leaders have thoughtfully considered the impact of increasing the numbers on roll on the existing pupils. Planned growth is expected to be gradual and managed well should the material change be approved.  The proprietor and leaders demonstrate a secure knowledge of how to cater for the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They have taken this into account when planning for this material change. Leaders are vigilant in promoting the health, safety and welfare of pupils and demonstrate a secure understanding of the standards.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is

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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 Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £42,000 to £75,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25 to 27 June 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 18 8 - 18 8 - 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 15 42 42

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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 15 42

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 15 42

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 15 42

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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 15 42

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 6 9

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 11 13

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Information about this school

 The current school is located at Trinity House, 31 Barricombe Drive, Hereford HR4 0NU. The school intends to open additional premises at Hildersley Cottage, Hildersley, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR97NJ should the material change be approved.  The school is registered to admit 17 pupils.  The school caters for pupils with pupils with autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, trauma, and related diagnoses. Many pupils have additional needs. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  Pupils are referred to the school by local authorities.  The school’s last standard inspection was in June 2024 when it was evaluated to be good.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to establish whether the school would be likely to meet all of the relevant school standards if the proposed material change to increase the number of pupils on roll from 17 to 42 were to be implemented.  This was the first material change inspection since the school’s previous standard inspection.  The inspection focused on some of the welfare, health and safety standards in part 3; all of the standards in part 4 for the suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors; all of the standards in part 5 for premises and accommodation and the standards in part 8 for the quality of leadership and management of schools.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the proprietor and members of the staff, including the designated safeguarding lead.  The inspector toured the existing premises and the proposed additional site with the headteacher.  The inspector scrutinised documents relating to welfare, health and safety of pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector reviewed safeguarding documents.

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Inspection team

Corinne Biddell, 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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