Exeter Mathematics School

Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Exeter Mathematics School 1 OFSTED USE ONLY

p.1

Exeter Mathematics School Rougemont House, Castle Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 3PU Inspection of residential provision Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

residential accommodation

Exeter Mathematics School is a state-funded sixth form that is jointly sponsored by the University of Exeter and Exeter College. The school provides education for students who have a particular interest in mathematics, physics and computing. Students attend from across the southwest and can access residential accommodation to avoid excessive travel. At the time of the inspection, there were 41 students staying in the residential accommodation.

p.1

outstanding

How well young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The college provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the college contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for young people.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Exeter Mathematics School 2 OFSTED USE ONLY

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Students speak enthusiastically about the school. They said that they enjoy boarding and feel safe because of the support around them. They said that staff are always available, and they feel comfortable talking to them about a range of issues because of the open culture at the school. Students say they are helped to develop life skills and independence.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Students receive support from an exceptional, warm and nurturing staff team, who support students to progress and develop in preparation for young adulthood. Staff practice is very child focused, and staff work cohesively to consistently meet students’ needs. Staff build meaningful relationships with students. Students highly value these relationships and benefit from spending time with staff.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Parents are extremely happy with the boarding provision and say it exceeds expectations. One parent said that it is a ‘very nurturing environment that promotes independence, whilst keeping students safe.’ Parents said that communication with them is exceptional, and staff swiftly address queries. Parents said that students settle quickly into boarding, enjoy a range of activities and thoroughly ‘love’ their time at school.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Students flourish, not only academically but in respect of their confidence, self- esteem, relationships and independence. Staff are committed to supporting students to reach their goals, which has resulted in a considerable number of boarders going on to study at elite universities. Students are proactive and organise their own activities, engaging in games nights and social time, such as meals out and movie club.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

Staff provide students with the experience of semi-independent living, preparing them for young adulthood. This develops and enhances their independence skills. Staff support students to take it in turns to cook meals for large groups. Preparing meals for their fellow students provides them with excellent opportunities to choose their own recipes and do all the preparation and cooking, significantly boosting their confidence. Students enjoy the social aspect of cooking together.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of young people: outstanding

The opinions and views of students are highly valued. Leaders and managers prioritise keeping students views central. Students engage in a student council, so that the student voice is intrinsic throughout school developments and forward planning.

p.2

How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Safeguarding is well managed. There are minimal safeguarding concerns. When they do arise, staff are forward-thinking and work collaboratively with external agencies, keeping parents regularly updated and informed. Parents appreciate this level of Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Exeter Mathematics School 3 OFSTED USE ONLY

p.2

How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

contact with staff. When there are behaviour concerns, an experienced safeguarding team manages these effectively. Staff support students to understand, take accountability and learn from their actions. Staff support students to learn about topics such as online learning and healthy relationships.

p.3

How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Safeguarding and pastoral staff work with professionalism. Interventions are effective and demonstrate that students’ needs are at the forefront of all decisions, so outcomes are successful. There is evidence of excellent multi-agency working and cohesive links between boarding and education staff. This ensures that there is robust information-sharing and students receive an exceptional level of support within a nurturing environment.

p.3

How well young people are helped and protected: outstanding

There is a strong safeguarding culture at the school, which is embedded in staff practice. Staff fully understand their responsibilities when working closely with students. The headteacher said that it is an open environment where students feel comfortable. She said that staff ‘listen and respond to students and take a proactive approach’. There have been no concerns raised against staff, or any complaints made by students.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have comprehensive oversight of the boarding provision. They provide strong support for staff to ensure that they give students an experience that feels like a ‘home from home’. The boarding lead is a confident and inspiring leader who strives to ensure that students are thriving. Leaders are passionate about the care they provide students and work consistently to maintain an exceptional standard of support for students.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are enthusiastic about their role in supporting students and feel well supported themselves. One boarding staff said, ‘The amount of training and professional development we receive as staff is amazing — it really helps us feel confident, knowledgeable and able to give students the best possible support.’ Staff receive purposeful supervision and support from leaders and managers. Additionally, they have coaching sessions that supplement these monthly manager meetings.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Communication with parents has developed and strengthened. For example, boarding staff meet with parents before students start at school. This forms positive lines of communication between them and also enables staff to prepare for students’ arrival. Additionally, there has been an increase in boarding staff. Staff focus on in- depth handovers and developing positive relationships with students. Proposed plans include the development of accommodation to create a new and improved space for boarding students.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Boarding staff continue to visit other boarding provisions, taking learning from these experiences to make changes and improvements they can make. Staff complete research to deliver to the wider school on inset days to raise awareness around topics such as poor sleep patterns, diet and nutrition. Boarding and academic staff Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Exeter Mathematics School 4 OFSTED USE ONLY

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

engage in daily morning meetings to share all student concerns, updates and issues, so there is continuous joined-up working.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff engage in a wealth of training, including specialist training relating to specific needs. This enables staff to widen their knowledge and build their confidence. Staff are enthusiastic to develop specialisms within the team. They complete research projects to deliver to their colleagues, which helps to promote leaderships skills and areas of expertise. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Exeter Mathematics School 5 OFSTED USE ONLY

p.4

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the national minimum standards. Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Exeter Mathematics School 6 OFSTED USE ONLY

p.5

accommodation details

Social care unique reference number: 1238047

p.6

Inspectors

Emma Fryer, Social Care Inspector – lead Wendy Anderson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for further education college with residential accommodation: Exeter Mathematics School 7 OFSTED USE ONLY

p.6

Inspectors

to 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspectors

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

p.7