Esland Bedford School

Oracle Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 822/6013 Unique Reference Number (URN) 135987 Inspection number 363084 Inspection dates 28 September 2010 Reporting inspector Fatiha Maitland 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 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090137 Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

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

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

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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Information about the school

The school is situated in Silsoe, Bedford; it opened in September 2009. The proprietor is the chief executive officer of Oraclecare, the parent company, and Oracle is one of the company’s two schools, both with the same name. The headteacher leads both schools. In addition to providing education for students who reside in the company’s children’s homes, the school has a limited number of places for other students. The company’s children’s homes are registered and inspected separately by Ofsted. This school is registered to accommodate a total of eight students between the ages of eight and 16 years. There are currently six students on roll, aged 13 to 15 years, who all attend full-time education. Most students are looked after by their local authority and all have learning needs associated with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. Nearly all students have statements of special educational needs.

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Information about the school

The aim of Oracle School is to ‘provide an integrated approach to addressing the needs of the young people, in order to stabilise their behaviour, so that they can access education, deal with issues from the past and develop skills that will help them to function successfully in a variety of social environments.’

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Information about the school

All students resident at the children’s homes have regular therapy sessions at school with resident therapists. Some students have input from youth offending teams.

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Information about the school

The school was first inspected in May 2010.

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Context of the inspection

The school was inspected by Ofsted in May 2010 and was found to fail to comply with a small number of regulations. The school was required to produce an action plan for improvement, which was deemed to be satisfactory subject to satisfactory implementation. The purpose of this inspection visit was to check whether the school has taken appropriate steps to address the weaknesses identified in the last inspection report and to assess the amount of progress made in meeting the regulations. This is the first visit to the school since the May 2010 inspection. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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action plan

At the inspection in May 2010, the school did not provide a planned programme for careers guidance for its students. The programme for careers education is now in place. The school has recently appointed a careers guidance co-ordinator and has planned and implemented lessons to prepare students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. The careers programme includes work experience in a variety of settings. The school has also established a partnership with Connexions to provide individual support and guidance for all students.

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action plan

The May 2010 inspection found that although the required checks on all members of staff were carried out prior to the employment of staff, the records of such checks were not kept in accordance with the requirement for a single central register of these checks. The weaknesses have been rectified and the school now meets all the requirements. The school has compiled a single register providing details of all the required staff checks including those on the proprietorial body, the dates on which they were checked and the initials of persons making such entries. There are now robust procedures for the recruitment and appointment of staff, and the school is aware of all the safeguarding requirements.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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School details

Type of school Independent special school for students with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties

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School details

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 4 Girls: 2 Total: 6

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School details

Number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs Boys: 4 Girls: 1 Total: 5

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School details

Number of pupils who are looked after Boys: 2 Girls: 2 Total: 4

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £42,900 per annum

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School details

Address of school Unit 54 Wrest Park Silsoe MK45 4HS

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