Bryanston School Inspection report for boarding school Unique reference number SC026908 Inspection date 25 September 2008 Inspector Sue Shaw / Veronica Crowley Type of Inspection Key Address Bryanston School Incorporated Bryanston BLANDFORD FORUM Dorset DT11 0PX Telephone number 01258 452411 Email [email protected] Registered person Bryanston School Head / Principal Sarah Thomas Nominated person Peter Hardy Date of last inspection 7 November 2005 Inspection Report: Bryanston School, 25 September 2008 . © Crown copyright 2008 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 Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Inspection Report: Bryanston School, 25 September 2008 3 of 10 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: Bryanston School, 25 September 2008 4 of 10 Service information Brief description of the service Bryanston School is an independent school catering for pupils aged between 13 and 18 years. Founded in 1928, Christian ideals are fundamental to the Bryanston philosophy, however, the school recognises that some pupils come from homes which follow other faiths or have no strong religious affiliation. Whilst there are some day pupils, the school is essentially and primarily a mixed gender boarding school. The school is situated in the Dorset countryside on the edge of the market town of Blandford and is located on a large campus set in a 400-acre estate. At the time of the inspection there were 664 pupils in the school consisting of 580 boarders and 84 day pupils. Boarders are accommodated in 12 boarding houses, three of which are located in the main house with a further nine houses sited in discrete buildings within the school campus. These consist of two junior boys’ houses, five senior boys’ houses and five girls’ houses incorporating both junior and senior girls. Summary Bryanston School operates to a very good standard with many outstanding areas in its provision to boarders. This inspection was carried out as part of the normal inspection process on an announced basis. The aim of the inspection was to review the 21 key standards for boarding schools. As part of the inspection process questionnaires were sent to parents and pupils who board at the school to gain their views. Responses received were, in the main, complimentary and indicated a high level of satisfaction with the pastoral care provided. The school demonstrates excellent attention to the health care of its pupils through its outstanding health centre provision and catering facilities. Appropriate policies and procedures support and promote good practice across the school in relation to keeping pupils safe and ensuring their welfare is suitably protected. Boarders benefit from exceptional levels of individual support from a wide range of staff, which includes the boarding house teams and the excellent tutorial system. The school clearly demonstrates its commitment to anti-discriminatory practice by valuing and embracing diversity and by raising pupils' awareness of discrimination. The school provides a range of opportunities for pupils to air their views in relation to boarding and school issues with boarders being involved in some of the recruitment process. Boarders benefit from the school's commitment to the continuous improvement of boarding accommodation which provides boarders with high quality facilities. Staff are encouraged and supported to undertake training opportunities and have their performances reviewed on a regular basis. There is excellent leadership in the school which oversees and monitors all aspects of the care provided. Recommendations have been made in relation to; improving communication between the health centre and boarding houses regarding the administration of medication; minor amendments needed to the child protection policy and further strengthening of the school's recruitment practices. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. Improvements since the last inspection There were three recommendations made at the last inspection carried out in November 2005. Areas highlighted for improvement related to the school's recruitment procedures. Whilst these were all satisfactorily addressed following the inspection, practice in one area has slipped. This Inspection Report: Bryanston School, 25 September 2008 5 of 10 has been reported on and a recommendation made. The school has strengthened its recruitment practices to ensure there is vigorous vetting of all staff working with boarders. Helping children to be healthy The provision is outstanding. Boarders enjoy a well rounded Personal Social and Religious Education (PSRE) programme. They are educated about a range of health issues including sex education, keeping safe and substance and alcohol misuse. The newly appointed Chaplain is currently expanding the World Religion curriculum and external agencies are invited to the school to deliver education on specialist subjects, examples of which include drugs awareness and staying safe. Relevant policies underpin practice throughout the school to ensure boarders' safety and health is maintained. Boarders benefit from an extremely inviting and well run health centre. This provision is very well resourced and equipped to a high standard. Boarders comment that they feel well cared for and are always listened to and welcomed when visiting the health centre. It is staffed 24 hours a day by five qualified nurses, all of whom are trained in specialist areas, for example diabetes and sports injury. The nursing staff are ably supported by the school's doctors on a daily basis. Boarders enjoy the benefit of a purpose built provision for nurses on sports duty. This is located near the sports field and is used as a triage for any injury that occurs throughout sports activities, ensuring that boarders obtain immediate attention. Boarders' health is protected and promoted by the safe storage and administration of medication. Excellent records and procedures are in place for this purpose. However, there are currently no formal communication procedures in place between the health centre and the boarding houses to report when medication has been administered at these sites. Medical consents from parents and staff, suitably trained in first aid, in the boarding houses ensure that emergency treatment can be provided. Any specific health needs are managed effectively, with an extensive range of relevant health professionals being consulted where necessary. Boarders’ health is enhanced by the provision of nutritious and varied meals. Food is prepared by suitably trained staff. Boarders commented most favourably on the extensive choices available at each meal. These include excellent vegetarian options, imaginative salad bars and various dishes from around the world. Special diets, such as gluten and dairy free, are well catered for and fruit and drinking water is always readily available. Boarders benefit from a very effective 'food committee' which meets regularly with the Catering Manager to ensure boarders' likes and dislikes are catered for. The school achieved 'Healthy Schools Status' in 2006 and have fully embraced the healthy eating concept. They are also forerunners in efforts towards sustainability initiatives which boarders are proud to support and contribute towards. Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe The provision is good. Boarders are protected through the school's positive approach to dealing with bullying. A comprehensive policy is followed in practice and boarders and staff are very clear about what they should do if concerned about bullying. Prefects receive information regarding bullying and what to look out for during their induction to ensure that any incidents can be quickly identified and addressed. Boarders reported very low levels of bullying incidents throughout the school and confirmed that incidents are dealt with effectively and sensitively. Parents commented, via the questionnaire, on the excellent anti-bullying policy and the school's zero tolerance approach to bullying. Boarders live in an environment where their welfare is paramount. There are robust child protection procedures in place, which are generally consistent with the Inspection Report: Bryanston School, 25 September 2008 6 of 10 Local Safeguarding Children