Downside School Inspection report for Boarding School Unique reference number SC032399 Inspection date 09/12/2010 Inspector Lucy Martin / Clare Davies Type of inspection Key Setting address Downside School, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, RADSTOCK, BA3 4RJ Telephone number 01761 235 100 Email Registered person Leo Maidlow-Davis Head/Principal Leo Maidlow-Davis Nominated person Richard Rossiter Date of last inspection 21/11/2007 Inspection Report: Downside School, 09/12/2010 2 of 11 © Crown copyright 2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. 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 Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Inspection Report: Downside School, 09/12/2010 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 outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service. 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: Downside School, 09/12/2010 4 of 11 Service information Brief description of the service Downside is a Catholic co-educational boarding school founded by the Benedictine Community. Currently the school has a total of 425 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18, of whom 343 are boarders. It became co-educational in September 2005, and now approximately 40% of pupils are girls. The boarders are accommodated in seven houses. A junior house for boys and girls is located a short walk away from the main school campus. In the third form all boys enter Powell House for a year before transferring to one of three senior houses. For the girls, they join one of two boarding houses in the third form where they remain throughout their senior school career. The school has been in its present location since 1814 and stands within extensive well maintained grounds shared with Downside Abbey, a Roman Catholic monastery. The campus is in the village of Stratton on the Fosse, Somerset and is approximately twelve miles from Bath. Summary The overall quality rating is inadequate - notice of action to improve. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The school was given short notice of the start of this inspection which was carried out at the same time as the education inspection undertaken by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. All the key standards identified by Ofsted were inspected. Downside School has many strengths. Boarders receive good levels of medical care and personal support from a variety of committed staff. They enjoy their experience of boarding and have opportunities to contribute their views about the school. However, there are significant failings in how the school keeps boarders safe. There is poor and inconsistent practice in respect of staff recruitment and in how the school manages risk. These procedures are not sufficiently robust to ensure that boarders are fully protected from harm. The school has been judged inadequate in its provision for ‘protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe'. The inadequate safeguarding practice has led to the judgement that the school’s organisation is inadequate and overall the school has been judged inadequate for its welfare. The school has stated that it is fully committed to making the necessary improvements. Improvements since the last inspection Since the last inspection the school has made good improvements in relation to the medical care provided and health centre facilities at the school. The child protection Inspection Report: Downside School, 09/12/2010 5 of 11 policy was reviewed in July 2009, though this now requires reviewing again. There are clear records of discipline and sanctions, regularly monitored by a senior member of staff. Boarders' views are represented on the school council who have an active voice within the school. All the recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Helping children to be healthy The provision is good. Boarders’ health is promoted well through physical activity, opportunities for a balanced diet and ensuring that there is access to information from a variety of sources. The school has a personal, social and health education programme delivered through the curriculum covering a range of topics including smoking, alcohol, relationships and illegal substances. Additional advice and support is available from boarding staff and from the health centre which is on site. In addition to school staff and nurses delivering the programme, outside speakers are invited to talk about topics. For example, an external speaker spoke to boarders about the dangers and effects of taking illegal drugs and parents were also invited to hear the presentation. This demonstrates a commitment to working together with parents about the dangers young people may become exposed to. To raise awareness of breast cancer the school has arranged fundraising events. There is a programme of sport and recreational activities delivered as part of the curriculum and in order to develop personal interests outside of the school day. Physical exercise is promoted through these activities. In addition, a physiotherapist is available to talk to rugby players about the importance of taking preventative action, to minimise the risk of injury such as warming up the muscles and strapping vulnerable areas. The school has a dedicated health centre. This is a good facility run by qualified nurses providing medical care 24 hours a day. School nurses maintain their professional qualification by attending regular training and the school is supportive of this professional development. The school has obtained evidence of the nurses’ registration with the Nursing Midwifery Council from the nurses themselves, but as an employer, the school has not verified that the professional registration is current. Doctors from the local surgery visit the school three times a week and boarders can see a male or female general practitioner. Recommendations from the previous welfare inspection have been met. Individual records are maintained for each boarder and medication is securely stored in the health centre. Boarding house staff feel supported by the health centre and the fact that qualified nurses are available 24 hours a day. Boarding staff only hold a small amount of medication for pain relief. This ensures safe systems for the administration of medication and reduces the opportunity for error. Nursing staff monitor the medication held in each boarding house and associated records, as part of a monitoring procedure each term. Many school staff are trained in first aid and they are identified on published lists around the school. Health needs are identified through information provided by parents and an examination by school doctors on joining the school. Pupils’ heights and weights are Inspection Report: Downside School, 09/12/2010 6 of 11 regularly recorded to monitor boarders’ physical development. Where significant needs are identified in relation to health, emotional needs or behavioural difficulties, welfare plans are produced by key staff supporting that boarder. The school ensures that support systems are made available to boarders to meet their identified needs. This may be provided by staff within the school or through external support from health professionals. Boarders receive good quality catering provision. There is a varied choice available at all meals, including a full salad bar at lunch and supper. All meals are eaten in the main dining room and on one evening a week each boarding house sits together in supper for a family style service. Provision is made for special dietary needs and those at risk of allergic reactions are made known to key staff. The school has responded to boarders' negative comments about the food and regularly review the provision of food in general. Some changes have been made which are appreciated by boarders, such as the inclusion of pesto in the menu and some nominated recipes. Other changes are being considered in consultation with the boarders and the catering company, at meetings every term. Most boarders acknowledge some improvements with the food provided but a minority remain dissatisfied. Within the boarding houses, boarders have access to snacks of fresh fruit and bread as supplied by the house staff. A school café sells snacks and treats and is available most evenings. Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe The provision is inadequate. The school does not have adequate systems in place to safeguard pupils. Although there are some areas of good practice, procedures and practices are not sufficiently robust to ensure that boarders are protected from harm. The deputy head is the designated person for child protection and has attended the required training with the local authority. Training for all staff is refreshed every three years, and at the start of each term there is a brief update on child protection for all staff. The school has ensured that those with responsibility for each boarding house have received training from the local authority.