Kings Mill School

Progress monitoring inspection residential special school report

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Kings Mill School Victoria Road, DRIFFIELD, YO25 6UG

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Context of the inspection

This monitoring visit was carried out further to an inadequate inspection outcome at the last full inspection, which took place on 24 to 26 September 2025. The purpose of the visit was to monitor progress against the National Minimum Standards and submitted action plan. The headteacher submitted an action plan following the previous inspection to address the shortfalls identified. Most actions in the plan have been completed, and some actions remain ongoing and continue to develop.

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Context of the inspection

The head of care and senior residential staff are completing training in leadership and management, and the senior staff now support the head of care to supervise the staff team. Refresher training around supervision for senior staff is arranged for January 2026. Until then, the head of care feeds back on online supervision notes offering guidance and support to the senior staff.

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Context of the inspection

School leaders have requested monthly visits from the independent person and link with others carrying out a similar role within the local authority to benchmark the quality of reports. Governors have had additional training around the focus of visits to children staying overnight. This provides more opportunities for scrutiny of safeguarding practice.

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Context of the inspection

School leaders have reached out to senior leaders in the local authority for support and the head of care meets regularly with the head of care from a neighbouring school, which offers an opportunity for peer reflection. School leaders have also had a children’s home manager from the local authority visit to offer support to the head of care.

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Context of the inspection

The online recording system for incidents in the school has been improved to streamline residential notifications and staff records. Senior leaders and safeguarding leaders in the school have oversight of incidents and any concerns raised by staff in the residence. The head of care meets with the school safeguarding leader weekly to review incidents that have occurred and this has proven beneficial to improving practice.

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Context of the inspection

Senior leaders and staff note improved communication within the residential team. Staff feel listened to and supported and the headteacher has implemented new online Inspection Report for Kings Mill School, 11 Dec 2025 Page 2 of 4 systems to support staff to escalate concerns. These are overseen by senior leaders in the school.

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Context of the inspection

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities in the home and information about any concerns is now shared by senior leaders with the appropriate safeguarding partners. One concern was delayed in being shared due to the head of care being on leave.

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National minimum standards

The school has made good progress and now meets all the national minimum standards for residential special schools.

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Inspection team

Carol Jagger Lead Social Care Inspector Rachel Webster Social Care Inspector Inspection Report for Kings Mill School, 11 Dec 2025 Page 3 of 4

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Information about this school

King's Mill School is a local authority maintained residential special school. The school provides education for 136 children aged two to 19 years. The school teaches and supports children with learning disabilities, autism and sensory needs. The school has a separate residential provision on site which is open 5 nights per week during term time. Currently 37 pupils access use the residential provision. Up to 12 children can stay each night.

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Information about this school

Pupils stay at the residence one, two or three nights per week, on a regular basis across term time and school holidays. One pupil stays one weekend a month by special and one pupil is staying full-time on a temporary basis under a special arrangement with the Local Authority.

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School details

Unique reference number 118144 Social care unique reference number SC055984

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DfE registration number

This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools.

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DfE registration number

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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DfE registration number

Type of school Residential Special School Number of boarders on roll 14 Gender of boarders Mixed Age range of boarders 7 to 18 Headteacher Alison Hall Date of previous boarding inspection 24/09/2025 Telephone number 01377 253 375 Email address kingsmill.specialschool@eastriding.gov.uk Inspection Report for Kings Mill School, 11 Dec 2025 Page 4 of 4 guidance 'raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.co.uk/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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DfE registration number

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DfE registration number

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.co.uk/ofsted

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DfE registration number

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DfE registration number

Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied.

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DfE registration number

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DfE registration number

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DfE registration number

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DfE registration number

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