Greenfields School

Greenfields School Independent school progress report

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DCSF registration number 886/6084 Unique Reference Number (URN) 131780 Inspection number 353795 Inspection dates 26 February 2010 Reporting inspector Nigel Cromey-Hawke

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Published: 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 . 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

Greenfields is an independent primary special school, registered for up to 15 pupils with emotional and behavioural needs. Along with another school and four children’s homes, Greenfields is part of a therapeutic community managed by Childhood First, a registered charity within the Peper Harrow Foundation. The school takes pupils from a nearby children’s home run by the charity, and also admits pupils who live locally. Although registered to admit pupils between the ages of four and 11 years, the school has never had children young enough to be within the Early Years Foundation Stage. There are currently eight pupils on roll between the ages of six and 11 years; five are in Key Stage 2 and two are girls. Seven pupils have statements relating to their special educational needs and most pupils have had extended periods of time out of school prior to admission. Seven pupils are looked after by their local authority. The school’s vision is: ‘to be an inclusive learning

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Information about the school

community which enables all children to feel valued and empowered and equips them with the social, emotional and academic understanding to facilitate a positive and successful future’.

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Context of the visit

The last inspection was carried out in February 2009. The school was judged to be providing a satisfactory standard of education but several regulations were not met. The action plan was accepted in October 2009 and this first follow-up visit monitored its implementation.

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action plan

The headteacher had taken up post only days before the last inspection and since then has moved the school forward significantly. The whole-school curriculum policy did not reflect practice and was not tailored to the educational and behavioural needs of the pupils. There were gaps in the coverage of some subject policies and schemes of work, notably in English, mathematics, science, personal, social and health education (PSHE) and information and communication technology (ICT).

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action plan

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 These documents have all been revised and now feature a good progression of knowledge, understanding and skills, clear planning and close links to pupils’ needs. The curriculum is highly personalised for each pupil. The inadequate resources for ICT identified at the last inspection have been improved. ICT facilities within each classroom have been upgraded and are well used to support work in other subjects.

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action plan

The inspection of February 2009 revealed gaps in the provision for personal, social and health education that have now been filled. The planning for PSHE now covers a broad range of topics which are relevant to the pupils’ ages. Pupils did not learn enough about public institutions. There is now a dedicated unit of work covering knowledge of public institutions and services, and the citizenship elements of the PSHE curriculum have been strengthened.

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action plan

Unmet regulations in relation to the welfare, health and safety of pupils have now been fully met. Previously out-of-date training has been rectified, with the senior managers of the parent company and headteacher undertaking recent and appropriate qualifications. Outdated policies in relation to behaviour management, exclusions, safeguarding and child protection have all been revised and are quality- assured by the parent company. The lack of fire drills has been remedied and these are now regular and up to date. A current fire safety check has also been provided. The February 2009 inspection found that there was no suitable room for pupils who are ill and that the first aid policy and training were inadequate. Recent building work has provided a dedicated room for pupils who are ill and both the first aid policy and staff training in this respect have been updated. Poorly maintained admission and

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action plan

attendance registers have been improved and practice in completing these is now satisfactory.

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action plan

The previous inspection found omissions in the information provided by the school to parents and prospective parents. The new prospectus now makes all the required information available. The school did not provide the required financial information to local authorities. Reporting to local authorities on income received and expenditure is now undertaken through the parent company.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

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

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School details

Name of school Greenfields School DCSF number 886/6084 Unique reference number (URN) Type of school Special school for pupils with emotional and behavioural needs Status Independent Date school opened 1995 Age range of pupils 4–11 years Gender of pupils Mixed Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 6 Girls: 2 Total: 8 Number of boarders Boys: 4 Girls: 2 Total: 6 Number of pupils with a statement of special educational need Boys: 5 Girls: 2 Total: 7

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School details

Number of pupils who are looked after Boys: 5 Girls: 2 Total: 7 Annual fees (day pupils) London=£39,618, Elsewhere=£43,160 Annual fees (boarders) London = £130,520, Elsewhere = £123,315 Address of school Tenterden Road Biddenden Ashford Kent TN27 8BE Telephone number 01580 292523 Fax number 01580 292354 Email address j.ward@childhoodfirst.org.uk Headteacher Mrs Jackie Ward Proprietor Childhood First Reporting inspector Nigel Cromey-Hawke Dates of inspection 26 February 2010

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