Trent College Inspection Report for Boarding School

Trent College Inspection report for boarding school

Unique reference number SC020205 Inspection date 29 April 2008 Inspector Elaine Cray / Dawn Taylor Type of Inspection Key

Address Trent College Derby Road Long Eaton NOTTINGHAM NG10 4AD Telephone number 0115 849 4949 Email [email protected] Registered person Trent College Head of care Head / Principal Gill Dixon Date of last inspection 22 January 2008 Inspection Report: Trent College, 29 April 2008

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Inspection Report: Trent College, 29 April 2008 3 of 11

About this inspection The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment. The inspection judgements and what they mean Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inspection Report: Trent College, 29 April 2008 4 of 11

Service information Brief description of the service Trent College is a co-educational boarding and day school established over 140 years ago. The school and boarding facilities are located on the outskirts of Long Eaton, a large town on the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire borders, which has a range of amenities and is close to the cities of Nottingham and Derby. The school is readily accessible from the motorway, and there are good rail networks close by. The school is also within easy reach of Nottingham East Midlands Airport. There are four boarding houses, two houses accommodate sixth form boys and girls respectively and are situated in the grounds of the school. The two other houses accommodate boy and girls aged from 13 to 18 years and are located within the main school building Boarders are provided with appropriate bed space, storage units and study facilities in either single or shared rooms. Each house presents its own identity as housemasters, housemistresses and young people are involved in the running of the house. There are live-in boarding staff for each house. There are also additional boarding staff who visit and work in the houses on a daily basis. Welfare provision also includes contact with the nurses at the medical centre, the chaplain and there is a school counsellor. The school has a medical centre and a variety of sporting and leisure facilities. Summary This three day inspection took place in order to assess the progress made by the school following an inadequate judgement by Ofsted at a previous inspection in January 2008. This inspection covers the majority of the National Minimum Standards for boarding schools, with particular in-depth focus on the key standards and all the previous recommendations. The head and boarding team provided an immediate response the recommendations set at the last inspection in January 2008. A clear action plan was submitted to Ofsted and this has been implemented to timescale up to this inspection taking place. There is significant improvement throughout the management of the boarding facilities and the majority of recommendations are met or in the process of being met, due to the extent and consequent timescale for some actions such as building work and the availability of external training. Young people continue to be very positive about boarding at Trent College and they present excellent behaviour and show a good level of confidence about how they are cared for. The head, the boarding staff team and other staff associated with the boarding facilities present a clear commitment to meeting the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, procedural frameworks are now implemented and there is ongoing development of the boarding facilities and staff practice in order to provide positive outcomes for young people boarding at Trent College. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. Improvements since the last inspection There are significant improvements in the provision, management and monitoring of the boarding services at Trent College. New procedures are now in place, existing policies are improved, with clear practice protocols for staff to follow in order to provide a good procedural framework for the boarding facilities. Staffing arrangements are now adequate, with staff cover in the houses throughout the day, there are clear arrangements for children who are ill and additional activities are now on offer. Whilst some recommendations such as staff training and refurbishment issues, are not met due to the extent and timescale of the required actions, there Inspection Report: Trent College, 29 April 2008 5 of 11

are clear plans, schedules and funding in place. Additionally, the head and boarding management team are able to present a clear action plan to address recommendations. There are early indications that all recommendations will be met in a satisfactory timescale and a strong commitment from the management team to further develop and continue to improve the boarding service at the school. However, clear quality assurance systems and monitoring processes to sustain the management and improvement of the boarding facilities remain outstanding. Helping children to be healthy The provision is satisfactory. Arrangements for promoting and meeting the health and medical needs of young people boarding at the school are in place. Young people spoken with on this inspection, and the vast majority of young people's surveys from a recent inspection, say they are well looked after when they are ill. Boarding houses have written protocols and procedures to promote consistent health care and communication between the school’s medical centre and the boarding houses. There are comprehensive policies on countering major risks to health, including smoking, substance use and sexual health. Health information is displayed in the boarding houses and included in information folders for young people, parents and staff. Young people say that they receive good information about risks to health and this will be enhanced by plans to extend the school’s Personal Health Social Educational (PHSE) programme in the new academic year. Young people can visit or telephone the medical centre when needed to obtain advice from the nursing staff and arrange a consultation with a doctor when necessary. Young people are very positive about the staff at the medical centre, saying they are approachable, helpful and have good respect for confidentiality. The medical centre is well organised, providing round the clock nursing cover and on-call system. Medical records are well maintained. There are medical protocols drawn up for young people with specific physical medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and asthma. Boarding staff work in conjunction with the medical centre to ensure young people’s medical needs are met and monitored and have extended these processes to include welfare plans for young people with significant mental health, behavioural and emotional difficulties. However, these records lack detail on how the boarding staff support such young people on a day to day basis in the boarding houses. Arrangements for the storage, administration and recording of medication include appropriate storage facilities, clear administration procedures, good monitoring systems and daily routines of communication between the medical centre and the boarding houses. All young people have a lockable facility in their bedrooms and are able to self-administer and store their own medication after a written risk assessment process has been carried out. Staff have a working knowledge of medication procedures. There is progress in meeting a recommendation from the recent inspection for all staff to receive first aid training. One of the school nurses has recently completed a training course so she can in turn train all the boarding staff. The domestic bursar is also due to complete the same course and first aid training is scheduled in order that all boarding staff are appropriately trained by the commencement of the new academic year in September 2008. The care of ill boarders, who are not able to go home, is provided at the medical centre. The medical centre is adequately resourced with a sick bay. However, the school has also recruited a matron and two housekeepers for the boarding houses and there is a current review of arrangements with a possibility of young people being able to stay at the boarding houses when they are ill, in the light of the new staffing arrangements. Catering arrangements are well managed via a central kitchen and all meals are taken in the main dining room. Each boarding house has separate kitchens where young people can store food and prepare snacks. All young people Inspection Report: Trent College, 29 April 2008 6 of 11

spoken with on this inspection say the meals are very good. There is an excellent commitment to providing young people with a varied, nutritional and balanced diet. There is an extensive choice at each meal, including hot and cold meal options, a self-serve jacket potato and salad bar and a selection of desserts, including fresh fruit. Young people say they are asked about meals and menu selections via the Food Committee meetings. Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe The provision is satisfactory. The procedures and practices for promoting the welfare and safety of young people are generally well-promoted and managed. Young people spoken with on this inspection say they feel safe and secure, with clear security measures in place and protection from stranger danger and bullying. Young people spoken with say they have no concerns about bullying and feel confident that any concerns will be dealt with by the staff and head. Good practice includes young people designing anti-bullying posters and one house drawing up their own house rules to promote better relationships and respect for each other. There is a written anti-bullying policy and staff presented a clear commitment to identifying and challenging any behaviour that may be perceived as harmful. Young people say they are able to talk about any concerns to the boarding staff, tutors, staff at the medical centre, the chaplain and house prefects. They feel listened to and are confident that any complaints will be dealt with. Two independent listeners are recently recruited and awaiting background checks. There are written complaints’ procedures available to young people and parents. The recording system for concerns and complaints raised in the individual boarding houses are regularly checked by the head of boarding and the head. The school’s policy on how to safeguard children is updated and improved and the two child protection coordinators are due to complete further and in depth safeguarding children training as recommended in the previous inspection report. All staff, including ancillary staff, are trained in safeguarding young people procedures and prefects show a very good awareness of how to identify child protection concerns and who to report these to, due to the training they have also received. Records show significant improvement in the recruitment and selection process. All staff associated with boarding have Criminal Records Bureau and reference checks. However, this process is not extended to the gap students who are employed at the school. Privacy of young people is respected. Young people enjoy their own private space, have locks and keys to their bedroom doors and a lockable facility in each room for secure and private storage. Staff present a good attitude to promoting and respecting the privacy of the young people and new protocols are in place to monitor visitors to the houses during periods of refurbishment and maintenance. Young people's behaviour throughout this three day inspection is exemplary, with clear expectations regarding courtesy and behaviour boundaries. Boarders know about the clear policies on behaviour, discipline, punishments and rewards. The management of behaviour is based on encouragement of acceptable behaviour. Staff are clearly committed to providing young people with clear and fair boundaries. Sanctions are recorded by boarding staff and monitored by the head of boarding and then the head. Risk assessments and management strategies for high risk activities are comprehensively documented and this process is now extended to the physical environment, the day to day activities of young people and the general running of the boarding houses. The physical environment is well maintained and monitored in terms of security. However, some fire doors are not alarmed and could be used to provide access to the boarding houses; actions to address these concerns and alarm the doors were addressed during the inspection. All boarding houses have swipe card locks and there is close supervision of the entrances of the school. The main reception is now located at the entrance to the school, in the same building as the security officers, and there are clear Inspection Report: Trent College, 29 April 2008 7 of 11

procedures for visitors. Young people are very positive about security arrangements. There are two security officers and a head gardener, who patrol the grounds, give talks to the boarders on safety, liaise with local police and check visitors to the school. Young people have the security officers telephone numbers should they be concerned about their own or the safety of others. Fire safety is well managed with fire risk assessments, regular fire safety equipment checks and fire drills. Information regarding fire evacuation procedures are displayed throughout the boarding houses and young people know what to do should there be a fire. Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do The provision is satisfactory. Relationships between young people and staff are good. Young people say there is always someone to talk to; they have a tutoring system, can talk to the boarding staff in each house and value the role and contribution of the boarding house prefects, some of which have a pastoral role in the boarding houses. There is a school counsellor, who also provides training to the prefects and a mentoring scheme for boarders. The school recently recruited two independent listeners and the chaplain provides a supportive service to young people. The school has an equal opportunity policy and young people and staff present an excellent attitude to accepting diversity and celebrating difference. All young people appear to be well integrated within each boarding house. The staff provide a good commitment to supporting and encouraging young people to enjoy and achieve. More activities, including access to the swimming pool, gym, astro turf pitches and art centre, have been recently made available to young people and the head says more activities are planned in the new academic year as new boarding staff are introduced to the school. Young people feel they receive sufficient free time. Many young people say they enjoy sport and sixth formers regularly socialise at the sixth form centre. Older boarders have freedom to visit the local town centre during the week and most go home at weekends. Young people also enjoy organising and taking part in fundraising and charity events. Helping children make a positive contribution The provision is satisfactory. Young people are positive about their relationships with staff and how they are involved in the boarding houses. Boarders receive a boarding house handbook and this information is enhanced with the new policies and procedures that the school has recently produced. Young people are satisfied with the efforts made to integrate and welcome them to the houses. Boarders say staff and young people are very supportive in helping them settle into the routines of the boarding house and get to know everyone. Young people say they are encouraged and supported to maintain contact with parents and carers. They have phones, can use the Internet and write and post letters. Most boarders go home at weekends. Young people say they feel involved in the running of their own boarding house, with weekly meetings and representing views via the house prefects. Young people have been involved in recent refurbishment plans for one of the boarding houses, including shopping for furniture. Each house has a representative to present the views of boarders at the School Council meetings and there is also a Food Committee where boarders can present their views. Young people have access to the facilities in the local community and do fundraising events. There is a broad range of newspapers available, young people can watch television, listen to the radio and have supervised access to the Internet in order to keep up with local, national and international affairs. Inspection Report: Trent College, 29 April 2008 8 of 11

Achieving economic wellbeing The provision is satisfactory. Boarding accommodation is provided in four separate houses, two are located in the main school building and the girls sixth form house and boys sixth form houses are situated in the grounds. Recommendations regarding some aspects of the physical standard in the houses and maintenance processes were made at the recent inspection in January 2008. Timescales and the extent of planned work mean that these actions are not yet met. However, there is significant progress, not least the provision of substantial funding to address the recommendations. Tenders for extensive refurbishment work are now accepted and the refurbishment will commence during the summer break of 2008. New furniture is already ordered for some houses. The boarding staff and maintenance team have clearer processes for reporting and completing repairs and a five year rolling maintenance programme is in place in conjunction with the refurbishment. A new catering and dining centre is also due to open by the end of 2008. Organisation The organisation is satisfactory. The head of the school, in conjunction with the boarding management team, the board of governors and boarding staff has made significant improvement in order to address the inadequate factors in the running of the boarding facilities. There is a clear commitment to developing a clear boarding focus and information is available in the updated Boarding Principles document which is provided to young people, parents and staff. The management team has developed a full range of policies and procedures, which have been systematically made available to staff and given to all boarders. Staffing arrangements are now adequate after the recruitment of a matron and two housekeepers who ensure that the boarding houses are staffed throughout the day. Young people are looked after by competent and confident staff, who present a good understanding of the needs of the young people and are developing an understanding of the existing and new policies, procedures and recording systems in the boarding houses. The head of boarding monitors records and provides information to the head. The headmaster is accountable to the board of governors. There is a clear sense of leadership and more involvement from the head leads to a clearer structure and accountability to the line management responsibilities throughout the boarding facilities. The management team’s ability to quickly address the issues raised from the last inspection are very positive, but there is still no clear monitoring and quality assurance process, which includes the school's governing body, to ensure sustainability and continuation of the progress made so far. What must be done to secure future improvement? Statutory requirements This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

Standard Action Due date Recommendations To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): Inspection Report: Trent College, 29 April 2008 9 of 11

• ensure that welfare plans are prepared and worked to, with the agreement with parents (NMS 17.2) • ensure the school's governing body have a system to monitor the welfare provision in the school. (NMS 8.2) Inspection Report: Trent College, 29 April 2008 10 of 11

Annex Annex A National Minimum Standards for boarding school Being healthy The intended outcomes for these standards are: • boarders’ health is promoted (NMS 6) • safeguarding and promoting boarders’ health and welfare are supported by appropriate records (NMS 7) • boarders’ receive first aid and health care as necessary (NMS 15) • boarders are adequately supervised and looked after when ill (NMS 16) • boarders are supported in relation to any health or personal problems (NMS 17) • boarders receive good quality catering provision (NMS 24) • boarders have access to food and drinking water in addition to main meals (NMS 25) • boarders are suitably accommodated when ill (NMS 48) • boarders’ clothing and bedding are adequately laundered (NMS 49). Ofsted considers 6 and 15 the key standards to be inspected. Staying safe The intended outcomes for these standards are: • boarders are protected from bullying (NMS 2) • boarders are protected from abuse (NMS 3) • use of discipline with boarders is fair and appropriate (NMS 4) • boarders’ complaints are responded to appropriately (NMS 5) • the operation of any prefect system safeguards and promotes boarders’ welfare (NMS 13) • boarders’ welfare is protected in any appointment of educational guardians by the school (NMS 22) • boarders are protected from the risk of fire (NMS 26) • the welfare of any children other than the school’s pupils is safeguarded and promoted while accommodated by the school (NMS 28) • boarders’ safety and welfare are protected during high risk activities (NMS 29) • boarders’ personal privacy is respected (NMS 37) • there is vigorous selection and vetting of all staff and volunteers working with boarders (NMS 38) • boarders are protected from unsupervised contact at school with adults who have not been subject to the school’s complete recruitment checking procedures; all unchecked visitors to the boarding premises are supervised (NMS 39) • boarders have their own accommodation, which is secure from public intrusion (NMS 41) • boarders are protected from safety hazards (NMS 47) Ofsted considers 2, 3, 4, 5, 26, 37, 38, 39, 41 and 47 the key standards to be inspected. Enjoying and achieving The intended outcomes for these standards are: • boarders have access to a range and choice of activities (NMS 11) • boarders do not experience inappropriate discrimination (NMS 18) • boarders’ welfare is not compromised by unusual or onerous demands (NMS 27) • boarders have satisfactory provision to study (NMS 43) • boarders have access to a range of safe recreational areas (NMS 46) Inspection Report: Trent College, 29 April 2008 11 of 11

Ofsted considers 14 and 18 the key standards to be inspected. Annex A Making a positive contribution The intended outcomes for these standards are: • boarders are enabled to contribute to the operation of boarding in the school (NMS 12) • boarders receive personal support from staff (NMS 14) • boarders can maintain private contact with their parents and families (NMS 19) • new boarders are introduced to the school’s procedures and operation, and are enabled to settle in (NMS 21) • boarders have appropriate access to information and facilities outside the school (NMS 30) • there are sound relationships between staff and boarders (NMS 36) Ofsted considers 12 and 19 the key standards to be inspected. Achieving economic well-being The intended outcomes for these standards are: • boarders’ possessions and money are protected (NMS 20) • boarders are provided with satisfactory accommodation (NMS 40) • boarders have satisfactory sleeping accommodation (NMS 42) • boarders have adequate private toilet and washing facilities (NMS 44) • boarders have satisfactory provision for changing by day (NMS 45) • boarders can obtain personal requisites while accommodated at school (NMS 50) Ofsted considers 51 the key standard to be inspected. Organisation The intended outcomes for these standards are: • a suitable statement of the school’s principles and practice should be available to parents, boarders and staff (NMS 1) • there is clear leadership of boarding in the school (NMS 8) • crises affecting boarders’ welfare are managed effectively (NMS 9) • the school’s organisation of boarding contributes to boarders’ welfare (NMS 10) • risk assessment and school record-keeping contribute to boarders’ welfare (NMS 23) • boarders are supervised adequately by staff (NMS 31) • staff exercise appropriate supervision of boarders leaving the school site (NMS 32) • boarders are adequately supervised at night (NMS 33) • boarders are looked after by staff which have specific boarding duties, and have received adequate induction and continued training (NMS 34) • boarders are looked after by staff which follow clear boarding policies and practice (NMS 35) • the welfare of boarders placed in lodgings is safeguarded and promoted (NMS 51) • the welfare of boarders is safeguarded and promoted while accommodated away from the school site on short-term visits (NMS 52) Ofsted considers 1, 23, 31 and 34 the key standards to be inspected.