Welfare, Health & Safety of Pupils (ISSR Part 3, paras. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 16; NMS 2, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14 & 15)

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1 Emergency visit reprt Independent Schls Inspectrate St Edward s Schl St Edward s Schl, Wdstck Rad, Oxfrd, Oxfrdshire OX2 7NN Date f visit 02 March 2015 Chair f Gvernrs Mr Mike Stanfield Purpse f visit This was an unannunced emergency visit carried ut at the request f the DfE, t assess cmpliance with the Educatin (Independent Schl Standards) Regulatins 2014 (ISSRs) and the Natinal Minimum Standards fr Barding Schls 2013 (NMS), fcusing n barding prvisin and care, in particular, thse standards cncerning safeguarding, including staff recruitment and suitability, welfare and leadership and management. Characteristics f the Schl St Edward s is a c-educatinal barding and day schl fr pupils aged between 12 and 18, lcated clse t the twn centre f Oxfrd. It is a registered charity, with 13 members f the gverning bdy acting as trustees. There are seven sub-cmmittees, all f which reprt t the main bard at every meeting. At the time f the visit there were 660 pupils (394 bys; 266 girls), including 553 full barders. There are 12 barding huses 6 lcated amngst the teaching buildings; 6 lcated n the playing fields site. N pupil has a statement f special educatinal need and/r disability (SEND); 29 pupils are identified by the schl as needing additinal learning supprt, and 16 pupils have English as an additinal language (EAL). Inspectin findings Welfare, Health & Safety f Pupils (ISSR Part 3, paras. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 16; NMS 2, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14 & 15) The schl des nt meet ISSR paragraphs 7 and 8, and NMS 11. Safeguarding Plicy - The safeguarding plicy n the schl s website indicates cncern fr pupils but the arrangements described in it d nt fully reflect the latest statutry guidance, in particular the requirements f Keeping Children Safe in Educatin (KCSIE) issued in April The plicy requires amendment as fllws: Include that all staff read at least Part 1 f KCSIE. [The schl did issue this dcument t staff in September At the time f this visit, Independent Schls Inspectrate

2 cnfirmatin that this had been read had been received frm mst, but nt all, staff.] Make clear that the schl cntributes t inter-agency wrking. Cnfirm that any persn may make a direct referral f a safeguarding cncern and display cntact details fr lcal agencies mre prminently. Include a definitin f safeguarding and the frms f abuse utlined in KCSIE. Differentiate between the reprting rutes fr children wh have suffered r wh are likely t suffer significant harm and thse wh are in need f additinal supprt. Include advice n dealing with abuse by pupils. Ensure that the arrangements fr dealing with allegatins f abuse fully cnfrm t the latest guidance. Clarify the inductin prgramme fr new staff and the arrangements fr training f all staff. A revised plicy was presented at the start f the visit which included the cntents specified abve but this had nt yet been presented t the full bard fr apprval at their next meeting. This was due t take place within tw weeks f the visit. Arrangements fr Training in Safeguarding The schl has made gd arrangements fr the training f all staff in safeguarding. The mst recent training in January 2015 was cnducted by an fficer frm the lcal authrity and all staff were requested t attend. The schl plans t update thse staff wh were nt able t attend but has nt yet dne s. A sufficient number f staff, including the DSL and the medical staff, have received training at level 2, which includes the necessary cntent fr acting as DSL. Interviews with staff cnfirmed their understanding f each individual s respnsibility fr safeguarding and f the prcess fr reprting any cncerns. A new and cmprehensive plicy n safe wrking practice is prvided t all staff, wh cnfirm that they have als received recent training n apprpriate bundaries when wrking with barders. Handling and recrding f safeguarding cncerns: Scrutiny f recent safeguarding cncerns demnstrate that the schl cmmunicates swiftly with the lcal safeguarding agency if an allegatin f abuse is made. Recrds f recent safeguarding cncerns are cmprehensive, detailing a step-by-step apprach which cnfrms t the schl s latest plicy. In interview, the DSL cnfirmed that the schl has gd links with lcal agencies, including using them as a training resurce. Dcumentatin pertaining t the resignatin f a member f staff fllwing an allegatin f inapprpriate cnduct was carefully scrutinised. The evidence shwed that the schl fllwed apprpriate prcedures nce it became aware f allegatins. The schl s file ntes shw that the advice f the LADO was clsely fllwed. As advised by the LADO, the schl began an investigatin but this was taken ver by the plice. DBS and NCTL were ntified prmptly and acknwledged receipt. Subsequent allegatins were made by parents and sme staff. File ntes shwed that all allegatins were recrded and detailed t the LADO and t the plice. Fllwing the reprting f the incidents, the gverning bdy respnded by initiating a prgramme f self-reflectin f plicies and practice. These included a successin f meetings f the safeguarding and cmpliance cmmittee t review the schl s respnse. The review invlved a persn independent f the schl s that gvernrs culd be assured f an bjective pinin and advice. A range f schl plicies were revised in the light f the cncerns, and there has been rerganisatin f the leadership team t ensure greater supervisin f barding matters and huse staff and retraining fr all staff. Independent Schls Inspectrate

3 The utcme f these meetings and reviews included a summary f lessns learned and amended plicies and practice in barding, which represents a significant imprvement in the supervisin and rganisatin f barding prvisin and care. Minutes frm meetings between gvernrs and senir managers demnstrate that the schl has taken seriusly cmments made by the LADO that n previus ccasins staff have nt been sufficiently practive in raising issues which shuld have been recgnised as inapprpriate and t warrant a referral t the DSL. The measures taken are psitive attempts by the schl t imprve their practice. In cnversatin with current staff, they cnfirm that they understand the crucial imprtance f their rle in reprting all cncerns and are mre familiar with the safeguarding prcedures than they were previusly. In meetings with barders, they state that they understand the systems in place t keep them safe. The current situatin therefre is that there are nw sufficient plicies and prcedures in place s that the safety f pupils shuld nt be cmprmised. The schl has demnstrated a swift and apprpriate respnse t the latest incident reprted in rder t mitigate the pssibility f a re-ccurrence. Whistle-blwing Plicy The revised safeguarding plicy emphasizes the imprtance f reprting cncerns. This additin was made in respnse t an earlier safeguarding cncern where staff did nt reprt cncerns until after an initial allegatin had been made. In cnversatins with barding staff, which included dmestic and maintenance staff as well as huse tutrs, all were clear abut their respnsibility t speak up. Inductin Prcedures and Huse Activities Barders cnfirm that they are given strng supprt and guidance when they jin the schl. In additin t cmprehensive bklets detailing huse rutines, each barder is allcated a peer mentr, wh has received apprpriate training in this rle. Barders speak warmly f the friendly welcme frm bth staff and ther barders. A wide range f activities are planned fr the evening and weekends which are apprpriate in range and variety. The Views f Barders In tw meetings and ther discussins with barders, pupils cnfirmed that they are happy with the standard f barding care and were cnfident that they had a range f peple t turn t if they had a cncern. Barders in the sixth frm can apply t be prefects as well as peer mentrs and are ffered training and n-ging supprt. Tw yunger barders said that they appreciated the supprt ffered by lder pupils. Barders als stated that relatinships with barding staff are warm and friendly. The need fr privacy is respected. Shuld they have a cncern which cannt be addressed by barding staff, barders have ready access t medical care, a cunsellr, an independent listener and a chaplain. Barders state that there are few bullying issues and that sanctins are apprpriate and fairly implemented. The prgramme f persnal, scial and health educatin (PSHE) shws that barders receive infrmatin abut safeguarding and persnal safety which is apprpriate t their age. Measures t prmte gd behaviur and guard against bullying The schl has cmprehensive plicies in place t prmte gd behaviur and includes carefully wrded guidance n wh t cntact if they are being bullied r a witness t bullying. Barders discussed with cnfidence the guidance they are given n keeping safe thrugh assemblies, PSHE and external speakers. Careful recrds are kept f majr incidents and sanctins s that trends r patterns can be tracked and mnitred. Welfare, Health & Safety Apprpriate plicies cmply with relevant regulatins and are implemented effectively. Risk assessments are centrally stred and cver all majr incidents. Independent Schls Inspectrate

4 Supervisin f Pupils Each huse has a team f staff, apprpriately qualified and experienced, wh are charged with the supervisin f the whereabuts f barders. A clear plicy is in place, understd by bth staff and barders, and implemented. Suitability f Staff, Supply Staff and Prprietrs (ISSR Part 4, NMS 14) The regulatins and standard in relatin t staff recruitment are met. Arrangements fr checking staff befre appintment include apprpriate Disclsure and Barring Service (DBS) checks n all staff and, where apprpriate, vlunteers. This represents an imprved psitin frm that nted during the previus inspectin in January 2014, when the schl did nt meet the requirement t make all required checks befre the appintment f staff. A cmprehensive recruitment plicy is in place and recrds shw that that it is carefully implemented. This includes apprpriate arrangements shuld the DBS certificate be delayed. Entries n the SCR are well rganised and clear and include the name f the checker and dates f checks. On a few ccasins the mnth, rather than the precise date f appintment was recrded. Hwever, in each case, the DBS check arrived befre the mnth f appintment s that the safety f pupils was nt in questin. Staff in charge f maintaining the SCR cnfirm that regular spt checks are undertaken by gvernrs. DBS checks are made n all family members f barding staff resident n the same premises as the barding accmmdatin but nt emplyed by the schl. There is a written agreement between the schl and any persn ver the age f 16 which specifies the terms f their accmmdatin. Clear guidance is given in this and in an additinal dcument n apprpriate cntact with barders. The letter f agreement is signed and retained by the schl. Premises f and Accmmdatin at Schls (ISSR Part 5, para 25; NMS 5) The schl meets this regulatin and standard. There are 12 barding huses, each f which has a distinctive character. Barding plicies are cmmn t all s that there is n inequality f prvisin and care. All are furnished and maintained apprpriately. Washrm facilities ffer suitable privacy and are sufficient in quantity and quality. Prvisin fr medical care is excellent. Qualified staff are available at all times. Additinal supprt is prvided thrugh an n-site cunselling team. Arrangements t invlve ther medical services are arranged as required. All huses have suitable areas fr scial and recreatinal purpses. Access requires authrisatin and barders state that they feel safe. Independent Schls Inspectrate

5 Quality f Leadership and Management f Schls (ISSR Part 8, para 34; NMS 1, 13, 17 & 19) The schl meets the regulatin and standards. Gvernrs and senir leaders acted swiftly and apprpriately fllwing a recent incident s that subsequently, and at the time f this visit, versight had been substantially imprved. The schl has a clear visin fr the prmtin and develpment f barding principles and practice. Since the previus barding inspectin, respnsibility fr leadership f barding, frmerly the respnsibility f the sub-warden, has nw passed t the deputy head (pastral). Evidence frm meetings with the senir leadership team and frm scrutiny f minutes f meetings shw that there is a significant increase in the level f mnitring f practice in the barding huses because f this rerganisatin f respnsibilities. The gvernrs f the schl understand the imprtance f their rle in verseeing barding prvisin and care. One gvernr has designated respnsibility fr barding and visits each huse in turn n a regular basis, talking t staff and barders and scrutinising recrds. All staff invlved in barding have the requisite skills and knwledge apprpriate t their rle. In meetings, they shw a sincere desire t establish a hmely and welcming atmsphere, s that they actively prmte the well-being f pupils. Regulatry actin pints The schl des nt meet all the requirements f the Educatin (Independent Schl Standards) Regulatins 2014 and the Natinal Minimum Standards fr Barding Schls 2013, and therefre it is required t: Immediately update plicies t reflect the latest requirements, making them accessible t parents as required. [ISSR Part 3 para. 7 (a) and (b) and 8 (a) and (b) under Welfare, health and safety f pupils and NMS 11]; Cnfirm that all staff read KCSIE Part 1. [ISSR Part 3 para. 7 (a) and (b) and 8 (a) and (b) under Welfare, health and safety f pupils and NMS 11]; Other Recmmendatins In additin t the abve regulatry pints, the schl is advised t make the fllwing imprvements: 1. Always include the date f appintment f staff as well as the mnth n the SCR. 2. Ensure that any staff absent frm training in safeguarding receive prmpt updates. Independent Schls Inspectrate