Ivy Lane School

School material change inspection report

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Ivy Lane School Ivy Lane School, Ivy Lane, Wakefield WF1 4AZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7(a), 7(b)  These independent school standards (the standards) were met at the last inspection.  The school ensures that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school. For example, leaders recognise that pupils are at risk from the local canal network. The school organises annual campaigns to raise awareness of water safety and the dangers of open water swimming.  Staff receive annual safeguarding training. The school’s induction programme for new staff is thorough. It ensures that staff understand the individual safeguarding needs of the pupils.  The school’s designated safeguarding leads scrutinise the safeguarding records as part of their regular pupil progress meetings. These meetings include representatives from multi-agency and therapeutic services.  The school plans to increase the number of designated safeguarding leads if the

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Main inspection findings

material change is implemented.  The school continues to meet these standards. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16(a), 16(b)  The school has effective health and safety policies and procedures.  The school ensures that fire safety checks are routinely undertaken.  The school has recruited staff to ensure that supervision ratios are appropriate. Currently, staff work one to one with pupils. The school has suitable plans to increase the number of staff to maintain the current high adult to pupil ratio.  The school has comprehensive risk assessment documentation. It considers the risks and puts in place appropriate control measures to ensure that pupils, staff, visitors and contractors are safe.  The standards continue to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(3), 19(2) to 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(7)(b)  These standards were met at the previous standard inspection in October 2023.

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Main inspection findings

 The school continues to keep the single central record up to date. Leaders record the checks that are made on staff before their appointment.  The school ensures that checks are made on supply staff.  These standards continue to be met. 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)  At the last inspection these standards were met.  The proprietor body has developed a previously unused space to create four additional classrooms. These have been renovated to a high standard. This extra space ensures that there is ample capacity for the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll.  The classrooms and corridors are appropriately decorated in a soft, consistent colour scheme. This makes the classrooms a positive and accessible space for pupils with a diagnosis of autism or associated needs.  The acoustics, internal and external lighting are suitable.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has other facilities that enhance pupils experience, such as a specialist sensory room and an immersive room. The sensory room supports pupils to regulate their behaviour.  Handwashing, showering and toilet facilities are appropriate.  The school has a suitable first-aid room that is readily available.  The school has outdoor space that enables pupils to socialise during break and lunchtimes. These grounds, alongside the sports hall, are used for physical education.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body and school leaders have a clear rationale for making the material change.  The school works successfully with several neighbouring local authorities to place pupils with education, health and care plans in this school. There is increasing

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Main inspection findings

demand for places in and around Wakefield.  Leaders have considered carefully how to gradually increase the numbers on roll. They have ensured that the well-being and welfare of the pupils currently at the school are maintained while new pupils enrol.  The school has appointed appropriately qualified staff.  The school has suitable policies and procedures in place to keep pupils safe.  The school proposes to continue to use the unregistered alternative provision, if appropriate, to meet the needs of some pupils.  The proprietor and governing bodies have a secure oversight of the school. They have systems to hold leaders to account. They routinely visit the school to check on safeguarding and health and safety.  The school and the proprietor body demonstrate secure skills and knowledge to ensure that the standards are met consistently.  The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and continue to be

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Main inspection findings

met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school complies with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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.theauroragroup.co.uk/services/school s/ivy-lane-school Email address Ivylaneschool@theauroragroup.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 3 to 5 October 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 19 11 to 19 11 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 40 70 70

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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 40 70

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 40 70

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 40 70

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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 40 70

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 11 14

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 47 81

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Information about this school

 The school operates from Ivy Lane, Wakefield WF1 4AZ.  The school is part of Beechkeys Ltd. The proprietor body is a subsidiary of the Aurora Group, who own several schools, colleges and residential care homes across England.  The school supports pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities. All pupils have an education health and care plan.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in October 2023. The school met all the independent school standards.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This was a material change inspection carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to evaluate the school’s proposal to increase the number of pupils on roll.  This is the second material change to increase numbers sought by the school. The first formed part of the standard inspection in October 2023. At this point, it was evaluated that the school would likely meet the standards if the number of pupils on roll increased.  Inspectors met with the headteacher and representatives of the proprietor and governing bodies.  An inspector met with the designated safeguarding lead and checked the single central record.  An inspector completed a premises check.  An inspector spoke to representatives from two local authorities by telephone.  An inspector spoke by telephone to a staff member at the alternative provision.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors: reviewed the single

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Information about this inspection

central record; took account of the views of leaders and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.

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Inspection team

Alison Stephenson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Chris Pearce 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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