Cross Keys Learning

Cross Keys Learning The LEAD Centre, Dane Valley Road, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 3JJ

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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), 16 to 16(b) and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has published a suitable safeguarding policy on the school’s website. It takes account of the most recent statutory guidance. This policy sits alongside other relevant and up-to-date policies, such as online safety, whistle-blowing and risk assessment. Leaders and staff are well trained to implement these policies effectively on a day-to-day basis.  The importance of robust and effective safeguarding has a high profile at all levels. Leaders have established a suitable programme of safeguarding training for staff and governors. Staff are well informed and knowledgeable. There are clear and effective lines of communication that support the school’s safeguarding work. Staff are confident to share concerns because they know that the school’s culture is one of ‘no

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Main inspection findings

silly questions’ with no safeguarding indicator being ‘too small to mention’.  Safeguarding records are well organised and detailed. Responsible leaders adopt a systematic approach to keep oversight of ongoing safeguarding concerns. This means information is routinely connected with information about behaviour or attendance, for example, to build a rounded picture. A programme of regular meetings and briefings is in place to ensure that information is appropriately shared in a timely manner.  Written records demonstrate awareness of contextual risk factors. The school’s response to concerns shows ongoing assessment and management of risk. Reasons for important decisions are typically clear and appropriate. Written risk assessments themselves are detailed, personalised and shared with relevant people. The school has recently tightened these processes, seeking to ensure important information is always known and appropriately shared with relevant people beyond the school.

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Main inspection findings

 Procedures for checking and overseeing the suitability of staff are robust. Leaders ensure that pre-employment screening is complete before staff take up their posts. The single central record details the necessary checks. There are appropriate procedures for managing concerns about adults should these arise, including working in partnership with the local authority.  The curriculum includes important learning for pupils about how to safeguard themselves. This includes health and well-being sessions that cover risks, such as radicalisation, ‘sexting’ and substance misuse. Outside speakers provide specialist input, for example from sexual-health nurses and child-centred policing teams. Pupils report that they find these sessions useful. They recalled a range of learning from them. Pupils also report that they feel safe in school and that it ‘feels like their second home’.  Leaders have carefully considered and developed systems to identify and tackle any

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Main inspection findings

form of child-on-child abuse. Staff and pupils express confidence that these systems work and that pupils receive the support that they need.  All requirements that were checked in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and leaders take a proactive approach to create an open culture that supports the best interests of pupils. The proprietor embraces constructive challenge and has demonstrated capacity to secure improvements as a result. Leaders take a reflective approach to internal monitoring and review processes. The school also reaches out to the local authority, other professionals and relevant charities for the benefit of pupils, staff and leaders.  The governing board provides a helpful additional layer of assurance and support for the proprietor and school leaders. Governors bring a range of helpful knowledge and experience and demonstrate commitment to their role. Recent governor visits have focused on safeguarding and the views of pupils. These visits are suitably structured and guided by appropriate questions, for example, focusing on probing recognised

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Main inspection findings

features of a strong safeguarding culture.  The previous full standard inspection found that the proprietor had established rigorous systems to monitor and review all aspects of the school’s work. This inspection found no evidence that the strengths identified have not been maintained. While pupils’ best interests are paramount, the school’s culture is one whereby everybody’s well-being is important and promoted, including staff and school leaders.  The proprietor has ensured that the standard in this part is met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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. 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 Other independent special school

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School details

Email address enquiries@crosskeyslearning.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16 to 18 April 2024

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Information about this school

 Cross Keys Learning caters for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties and autism. Pupils usually have an education, health and care plan and are placed by their local authority.  The school’s most recent standard inspection took place from 16 to 18 April 2024. There has been a change of headteacher since then.  The school operates across two sites: – The LEAD Centre, Dane Valley Road, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 3JJ; and – The Street, Womenswold, Canterbury, Kent CT4 6HE.  The school does not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to seek assurances about the school’s arrangements for safeguarding and, leadership and management. It was conducted without notice.  Inspectors held discussions with the directors of the proprietor body, the headteacher and other leaders. They visited both sites to speak with staff and pupils. The lead inspector also met with the school’s link governor for safeguarding.  The inspection team reviewed a range of documents, records and policies relating to the school’s work to safeguard pupils. An inspector scrutinised the single central record. Inspectors took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; 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

Clive Dunn, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Laura James 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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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