Blue Mountain Education

School material change inspection report

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Blue Mountain Education Willow Farm, Off Newton Lane, Ilkeston, Cossall, Nottinghamshire NG16 2SD

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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 32(1)(c)  Blue Mountain Education publishes its safeguarding policy on its website. Paper copies are available on request.  The school proposes to open two additional sites to supplement its existing four sites currently within its registration. These sites span a wide geographical area over four local authorities.  Currently, the headteacher is the designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The school does not have any deputy DSLs. Given this arrangement, the proposed material change would make it difficult for the school to maintain close oversight of its safeguarding duties across each site. It has the potential to strain the school’s safety and welfare systems. This is because there are not sufficient staff trained to manage these responsibilities, potentially putting pupils at risk.  The proprietor has not considered fully how safeguarding systems and processes will

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Main inspection findings

meet the needs of pupils at each site.  Staff receive training when they join the school to help them understand how to safeguard pupils. This includes key knowledge about the increased vulnerability of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16(a) and 16(b)  Well-considered health and safety, and risk assessment policies are in place. These reflect the robust practice in the school to promote the health and safety of pupils, staff and visitors. Staff often review and adapt the policies to meet pupils’ evolving needs.  The school conducts fire safety checks, including of emergency lighting and other firerelated systems, in line with their policy. Staff record all of these checks to support effective monitoring of health and safety procedures. To enhance fire safety, the school plans to train additional staff as fire marshals.  A high staff-to-pupil ratio allows close supervision of pupils throughout the school day.

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Main inspection findings

The school also intends to involve care staff from the home setting in supporting pupils’ educational activities.  The independent school standards (the standards) in these parts checked during the inspection are not likely to be met if the material change application is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)  An electronic single central record is in place. It meets all necessary requirements. The proprietor demonstrates a secure understanding of the need to keep this record up to date.  Recruitment, induction and staff training arrangements are appropriate. The single central record documents accurately all required vetting checks for adults working in or responsible for the school.  The company’s central team administers suitability checks before appointments are made.  The proprietor has completed all of the required checks on those persons who hold a leadership and management position at the school.  Given the specific needs of the extra pupils who are expected to attend the school if the material change is granted, supply staff are unlikely to be used. However, the

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Main inspection findings

school is aware of the procedures to follow should agency staff be needed in the future.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The buildings have been renovated to a high standard. Each room is appropriately sized for the number of pupils that the school plans to admit at each location.  The outdoor spaces are appropriate for the needs of the pupils who will attend.  On one site, the school has a sensory room to support the emotional regulation of pupils.  There is a sufficient number of individual toilets available for the sole use of pupils. Handwashing facilities are suitable with hot and cold running water available. There are separate toilets for staff and visitors. Pupils have facilities to change if required.  Suitable medical facilities are available at the two proposed new sites. Wash facilities and toilets are located close by.  Pupils have access to drinking water throughout the school day. This is supplied through clearly labelled taps in the kitchen area.

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Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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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 has not considered fully how pupils at the school’s proposed two additional sites will be safeguarded or how their well-being will be supported, as required by the independent school standards.  The proprietor has not ensured that a sufficient number of staff have the knowledge and expertise to lead on safeguarding duties on the additional sites, particularly in relation to the role of the DSL.  The proprietor has ensured that the accommodation at the two new sites is suitable and could accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  The standards in this part are not likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan outlines how the school will support access to the curriculum, documentation, and premises for pupils with disabilities.  The school is likely to meet the regulation in this part.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely 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, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £33,000 to 39,000

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School details

Email address alison.widdowson@bluemountain- homes.co.uk Date of previous standard inspection 3 to 5 December 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 18 8 to 18 Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 15 21 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 15 21 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 15 21

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 5 21

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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 7 21

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 9 9

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Information about this school

 Blue Mountain Education is an independent special school. All pupils who attend the school are in the care of the local authority.  All pupils who attend the school have SEND and many have education, health and care plans. Pupils typically have a primary diagnosis of social emotional and behaviour needs, autism and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Many have experienced adverse childhood trauma.  Pupils live in residential care homes operated by the same company, Blue Mountain Limited. The company is run by a single proprietor.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in December 2024.  The school currently operates across four sites. The main school is located at Willow Farm, Off Newton Lane, Ilkeston, Cossall, Nottinghamshire NG16 2SD.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to check whether the two additional sites are likely to meet all of the standards should the material change be approved.  The proposed material change is to increase the number of pupils on roll from 15 to 21. The school intends to add two additional school sites to its registration. These additional sites will provide schooling for up to six pupils.  The inspector toured the two additional sites to consider the suitability of these premises.  The inspector met with the headteacher and with other senior leaders, including the company’s care director, to discuss the material change.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documents relating to safeguarding, health and safety, the school premises and leadership and management.

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Inspection team

Shaheen Hussain, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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