Doucecroft School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Doucecroft School Abbotts Lane, Eight Ash Green, Colchester, Essex CO6 3QL

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1)(a), 3(a), 3(c) to 3(f)  This standard was not met at the last standard inspection in February 2025. This was because the implementation of written plans was not consistently of a good enough standard. Teaching was not clear or precise enough to enable pupils to learn what was intended. Activities chosen for pupils to do were not always well matched to the learning intention. Reading was not given sufficient priority in the secondary phase.  In the evaluation of the school’s action plan in May 2025, it was found that the school intended to audit the curriculum, train staff, improve assessment tools and introduce a regular reading programme.  Leaders have led a thorough programme of staff development focusing on teaching and learning. They have introduced clear expectations for what should be included in each lesson. They have worked collaboratively with staff on what good modelling and

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Main inspection findings

scaffolding look like in learning. They have reviewed their assessment frameworks. They have introduced regular reading lessons in the secondary phase.  This work is, however, at an early stage of implementation. Teaching is now clearer and more focused on what they want pupils to learn. However, the choice of activities is still often not precisely enough matched to pupils’ stage and next steps. There are still weaker decisions made about resources provided and use of time in pupils’ learning.  Leaders have planned a programme of monitoring to support the implementation of revised teaching strategies; this has not yet begun as new for the academic year.  These standards remain unmet. Paragraph 2(1)(b)  The Department for Education (DfE) asked for this standard to be checked. This relates to the quality of written plans and policies and how they meet the needs of pupils, particularly those with education, health and care (EHC) plans. The school has

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Main inspection findings

completely revised its long-term plans for this academic year. There are detailed plans in place for each pathway, which meet the different needs of pupils.  Assessment ladders support teachers to track pupils’ progression through behaviours for learning as well as in core subjects, such as English and mathematics.  Leaders have modelled and supported teachers with the writing of medium- and shorter- term plans, which clearly identify different support for individual pupils. The school is aware that there is still work to be done in ensuring that these plans are progressive over the long term.  The implementation of these plans is not always as strong as it needs to be, as addressed in the previous standard.  This standard remains met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b)  This standard was met at the last inspection in February 2025.  Safeguarding practice is strong and ensures pupils’ safety and good welfare.

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Main inspection findings

 This standard remains met. Paragraph 14  The DfE asked for this standard to be checked. This relates to whether pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of staff.  This inspection was carried out with no notice. There were an appropriate number of staff supporting pupils in every classroom and at free times.  Experienced members of staff were clearly coaching newer members of staff on an ongoing basis on how to engage pupils in learning.  This standard remains met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The DfE asked for this standard to be checked. This relates to the quality of the school premises and whether it ensures the health, safety and welfare of pupils.  Since the inspection in February 2025, the school has further improved its premises. They have relocated the reception area and built additional fencing. This means that during the school day, the gate to the pupil area is not opened for deliveries and visitors.

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Main inspection findings

As a result, pupils do not have direct access to leave the site and visitors can be more closely monitored.  The school has built an additional pathway to the astroturf area, reducing the risk of trips and slips on a muddy hill.  This standard remains met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1)(a)(b)  These standards were not met at the inspection in February 2025. This was because leaders had limited capacity for school improvement and had not ensured that all the independent school standards were met.  In the evaluation of the school’s action plan in May 2025, it was found that the proprietor intended to appoint new members to the leadership team, strengthening the capacity to undertake training and school improvement.  Two new members of the senior leadership team joined the school around Easter time in 2025. This has substantially increased the capacity to support staff to improve practice.

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Main inspection findings

There has been a high focus on improving the quality of teaching. This is beginning to show results, but those improvements are still at a very early stage.  These standards remain not met. Paragraph 34(1)(c)  The DfE asked for this standard to be checked. This relates to whether leaders actively promote the well-being of pupils.  The well-being of pupils clearly lies at the heart of everything the school does. Staff are passionate about making sure pupils are happy, engaged and able to access their learning.  All pupils’ well-being and adjustments needed are regularly discussed at multi- disciplinary meetings between class staff, therapists and leaders. Therapists support pupils, both in class and in one-to-one sessions, to develop their skills for engaging in the world.  The school is further developing its communication with parents and carers and increasing face-to-face events, such as a summer barbecue. This is aimed at further

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Main inspection findings

increasing pupil well-being by having a greater shared knowledge of pupils.  Pupils are actively supported to be healthy and active, enjoying taking part in activities from jumping and swinging, through to competitive hockey matches. The school provides home-cooked, interesting lunches, with adaptations to help pupils develop their tolerance for different foods and ability to feed themselves if needed.  This standard remains met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Type of school Independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 12

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £63,696 to £93,110

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School details

Email address doucecroft@autism-anglia.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25 to 27 February 2025

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Information about this school

 Doucecroft School is an independent special school registered to provide education for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities with a primary need of autism. All pupils have an EHC plan.  All school placements are funded by local authorities and admission is through local authority referral. Currently, pupils who attend the school are funded by Essex and Suffolk local authorities.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school is registered for pupils from aged 3 to 19. The school has not had any children in the early years age range for some years.  Most pupils leave when they turn 16 to go to further education or other specialist colleges. Those who remain post-16 are still completing key stage 4 programmes of study.  The school is based at: Abbotts Lane, Eight Ash Green, Colchester, Essex CO6 3QL.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The inspection was conducted without notice.  The inspector held discussions with a range of staff in the school, including the headteacher and senior leadership team. They spoke to the chief executive officer of the proprietor.  The inspector observed lessons across the school and spoke to pupils. They scrutinised a range of plans and pupils’ work.  The inspector also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers.

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Inspection team

Tessa Holledge, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively;  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

being taught; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range.

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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.

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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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