Abbey College in Malvern

Abbey College Independent school progress report

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DCSF registration number 885/6026 Unique Reference Number (URN) 117035 Inspection number 361178 Inspection dates 17 June 2010 Reporting inspector Michael Best

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Published: 30 June 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 , and under the Care Standards Act 2000 having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools. 3

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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

The Abbey College provides education for male and female students aged 14 to 19 years. It caters predominantly for students from abroad, although a small number of British students attend the college. All of the current students reside in the college’s boarding houses. For a large proportion of the students, English is not their principal language. An English language programme is available to these students.

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Information about the school

The College aims to, ‘…foster a community of international understanding and shared values in which overseas students receive the quality of academic education and support in English language which will enable them to both succeed in the short term and in the longer term to progress successfully to higher education in the universities and subjects of their choice’.

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Information about the school

The college is privately owned and is situated on a 70 acre site in Malvern Wells in Worcestershire. The college was last inspected by Ofsted in November 2009 and by The British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education in March 2010. The English language summer school provision was inspected by The British Council in July 2009. A new Principal took over in January 2010.

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Context of the visit

When the college was inspected in November 2009, a number of shortcomings were found in both the educational and care provision. The college submitted an action plan to address these, and this was accepted in March 2010. This is the first monitoring visit to check the progress the college has made in implementing its 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 3 www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/ukpga_20000014_en_1 Inspection report template – progress monitoring

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action plan

At the time of the last inspection, the college did not provide students in their second year of GCSE with all of the required elements of the curriculum, including the scientific, human and social, and aesthetic and creative aspects. The college has reviewed its provision and the curriculum now meets requirements. From September 2010, the college will offer an International GCSE (IGCSE) programme covering all the required aspects of the curriculum. The inspection in November 2009 also found that there was no framework in place to evaluate students’ performance in relation to national norms or the college’s aims. The college has put in place a clear framework which meets requirements. This enables students’ performance to be evaluated by both the college’s own aims, which are closely linked to its curriculum policy, and national norms. The new Principal has undertaken a comprehensive statistical analysis of student destination data which shows very favourable retention

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action plan

The inspection in November 2009 found a number of shortcomings in the college’s arrangements for promoting the welfare and safety of students. The college’s anti- bullying policy was insufficiently detailed: for example, it did not include an adequate definition of bullying or provide sufficient clarity about how incidents of bullying should be dealt with. The revised anti-bullying policy meets requirements. It provides clear definitions of different types of bullying and outlines the signs and symptoms, together with procedures and outcomes for resolving any incidents. The college has now put in place a discrete behaviour policy which complements its anti-bullying policy. Previously, college rules were included within the student handbook but these were not enforced systematically. The new policy is comprehensive and meets requirements. It covers both the academic and boarding aspects of college life and

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action plan

provides clear guidance about rewards, sanctions and consequences. A student management policy provides a very explicit summary of the college’s expectations and sanctions, and is given to all students. In addition, there are 10 college rules that have been agreed and endorsed by the recently established college council which is taking an active and purposeful role in the operation and life of the college.

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action plan

Although the college had a policy in place for visits away from the college site, this lacked sufficient detail to ensure that visits were adequately planned. Risk assessments for off-site visits were not robust enough because they did not consistently assess risks accurately and provision to minimise risks was not always sufficient. The college has put in place a comprehensive policy which reflects the Department’s guidance. Overall, the policy is being implemented effectively although some minor omissions were identified during the visit and drawn to the attention of the Principal during this progress monitoring visit. The college’s first aid policy was also found to be insufficiently detailed at the time of the last inspection. It did not include guidance about the level of injury that would trigger an emergency ambulance call, or explain procedures on how to deal with spillages of bodily fluids.

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action plan

Inspection report template – progress monitoring The college has revised its first aid policy and subsequently implemented it. It is now a comprehensive policy that meets requirements. It provides detailed guidance on procedures, reporting and recording and responsibilities. The college has successfully addressed issues raised in the last inspection concerning avoidable safety hazards and is implementing a phased programme for the refurbishment and decoration of the boarding accommodation.

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action plan

At the time of the inspection in November 2009, although the college had designated a senior member of staff to have responsibility for child protection, this person was not suitably trained. Two senior members of staff attended and completed training in February 2010 and an appropriate programme of staff training has been implemented. To comply with the national minimum standards, the inspection in November 2009 indicated that the college nurse needed to register with the United Kingdom Nursing and Midwifery Council: while satisfactory progress is being made towards this recommendation, the process is not yet complete.

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action plan

The inspection in November 2009 found that the college has not been sufficiently rigorous when appointing staff: it had not routinely carried out all of the required checks before confirming the appointment of new staff. Furthermore, the college’s single central record, showing the checks made on the proprietor and staff, was incomplete. The college has addressed all the shortcomings identified and recent appointments have followed procedures. The college has also made the necessary checks on existing staff retrospectively, where necessary. The single central record is now complete and available both in electronic and printed formats. All the requirements for this standard are now met.

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action plan

When inspectors visited in November 2009, they found that the college did not make available to parents and prospective parents details of its safeguarding policy. This has been successfully addressed by placing the policy on the college’s website and by sending copies directly to parents, carers and agents.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The college has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

In order to meet the national minimum standards for boarding schools and associated regulations, the college must:

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

 provide the Department with a copy of the college nurse’s registration with the United Kingdom Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMS 15.3). Inspection report template – progress monitoring

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School details

Name of school Abbey College DCSF number 885/6026 Unique reference number (URN) 117035 Type of school Boarding Status Independent Date school opened 10 December 1979 Age range of pupils 14–19 Gender of pupils Mixed Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 76 Girls: 30 Total: 106 Number of boarders Boys: 76 Girls: 30 Total: 106 Annual fees (boarders) Up to £19,950 Address of school 251/3 Wells Road Malvern WorcestershireWR14 4JF Telephone number 01684 892300 Fax number 01684 892757 Email address enquiries@abbeycollege.co.uk Headteacher Mr David Glaves Proprietor Mr Hekmat Kaveh Reporting inspector Michael Best Dates of inspection Thursday 17 June 2010

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