Wakefield independent sch

Wakefield Independent School Independent school progress report

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DCSF registration number 384/6116 Unique Reference Number 108307 Inspection number 353791 Inspection dates 9 March 2010 Reporting inspector Saleem Hussain

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Published: 22 March 2010 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090137 Inspection report template – progress monitoring

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Purpose and scope of the visit

This inspection visit was carried out by Ofsted under Section 162A of the Education Act 2002 1 , as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005 2 .

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Purpose and scope of the visit

The visit 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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Information about the school

Wakefield Independent School is a non-selective, Church of England, co-educational school providing Early Years Foundation Stage, primary and secondary education for pupils aged 3-16. The school’s stated aim is to bring out the very best in pupils and provide a sound education based on a well-balanced curriculum. The school sees the importance of a nurturing ethos to foster pupils’ emotional wellbeing as essential to the development of well-rounded individuals.

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Information about the school

Although some pupils remain at the school for their entire education up to the age of sixteen many pupils leave and join the school at different stages of their schooling. Over the previous two academic years there has been a significant change in the population with up to a third of pupils leaving or joining the school. The abilities of pupils are varied. A few pupils have a learning difficulty and/or disability, including a very small number with a statement of special educational needs. Almost all pupils are White British, with a very small number from minority ethnic groups and few who do not have English as their principal language.

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Information about the school

The school is housed in three relatively close buildings within the Nostell Priory Estate, although separated by a road. The three buildings form the bases for the three phases of education in the school. They are:-‘The Rectory’ (Early Years Foundation Stage and Years 1-4); ‘Wragby’ (Years 5-7) and ‘The Nostell Centre’ (Years 8-11).

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Context of the visit

The school was last inspected in April 2009. It was required to produce an action plan that was accepted in July 2009. This is the report of the monitoring visit to evaluate progress against the school’s action plan.

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Context of the visit

1 www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/ukpga_20020032_en_14#pt10-ch1-pb4-l1g162 2 www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2005/ukpga_20050018_en_15#sch8 Inspection report template – progress monitoring

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action plan

At the last inspection, the quality of education was judged as good. As a result of the strong nurturing environment, the good curriculum and effective teaching, pupils made good progress. Effective procedures were in place to safeguard pupils’ welfare, health and safety, which were good overall. However, although there was an appropriate policy in place for child protection and a designated member of staff identified for the purposes of child protection, the required training for this role had not been undertaken. Also, the school was aware of the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 2002 but it had not produced a detailed written plan that showed how it would meet its obligations. The school did not provide a room for the care of pupils who were ill which met the regulations. Finally, the previous inspection reported that within the Wragby building, there were too few toilets for the number

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action plan

In order to provide training for the designated child protection officer, the school contacted the Wakefield and District Safeguarding Children’s Board (WDSCB). The school also took this as an opportunity to carry out a wide ranging review and audit of all its safeguarding procedures. The school reviewed its provision for disabled people and intended to devise a plan in order to improve accessibility to the school’s provisions. The school planned to install additional fixtures and fittings into an existing, unused sick room and bring it back into use. In relation to toilets in the Wragby building, the school carried out an audit of the facilities and investigated several courses of action.

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action plan

Leaders and managers have tackled the areas for improvement systematically and thoroughly. Through fully implementing the agreed action plan, the school has remedied the shortcomings.

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action plan

As a result of the school’s very close working with the WDSCB, the school has carried out much accredited training across the school. The designated child protection officer is now fully trained in her role. In addition, the school has also fully trained a deputy child protection officer and provided the required basic training for all staff. The school has also developed a number of valuable additional safeguarding practices as a result of its review and audit of procedures. A detailed, three-year disability access improvement plan is now in place. This shows clearly how the school will meet its legal obligations in relation to disabled people. The school now meets all requirements in respect of the premises and accommodation. There are appropriate facilities for pupils who may become ill. The school has updated the provision in the sick room to a high standard. This is now in use and is a warm and comfortable

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action plan

facility. In relation to the adequacy of toilet facilities, the school has re-located a cohort of pupils from the Wragby building into the Nostell Centre. This is a positive response by the school to the previous inspection report. The school has sufficient toilet and wash facilities to meet pupils’ needs. It is acknowledged here that the relevant regulation was met at the time of the last inspection. Inspection report template – progress monitoring

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements. Inspection report template – progress monitoring

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School details

Name of school Wakefield Independent School DCSF number 384/6116 Unique reference number 108307 Type of school Day school Status Independent Date school opened September 1980 Age range of pupils 3-16 years Gender of pupils Mixed Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 90 Girls: 92 Total: 182 Number on roll (part-time pupils) Boys: 2 Girls: 4 Total: 6 Number of pupils with a statement of special educational need Boys: 0 Girls: 1 Total: 1

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £4,452 - £6,183 Address of school Nostell Centre Doncaster Road Nostell Wakefield West Yorkshire WF4 1QG Telephone number 01924 865757 Fax number 01924 865757 Email address headatwis@fsmail.net Headteacher Mrs K Caryl Proprietor Wakefield Independent School Limited Reporting inspector Mr Saleem Hussain Dates of inspection 09 March 2010

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