REGULATORY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT

FOR SCHOOLS WITH RESIDENTIAL PROVISION

HANDCROSS PARK PREPARATORY SCHOOL

JUNE 2018
Contents 2

CONTENTS

SCHOOL’S DETAILS 2

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 2
About the school 2
What the school seeks to do 2
About the pupils 2

2. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION 2

Preface 2
Key Findings 2
PART 1 – Quality of education provided 2
PART 2 – Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils 2
PART 3 – Welfare, health and safety of pupils 2
PART 4 – Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors 2
PART 5 – Premises of and accommodation at schools 2
PART 6 – Provision of information 2
PART 7 – Manner in which complaints are handled 2
PART 8 – Quality of leadership in and management of schools 2

3. INSPECTION EVIDENCE 2

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2018 Handcross Park Preparatory School – June 2018
School’s details 3

SCHOOL’S DETAILS
School Handcross Park Preparatory School

DfE number 938/6223

Registered charity number 932584

Address Handcross Park Preparatory School

Handcross Park
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH17 6HF

Telephone number 01444 400526

Email address [email protected]

Headmaster Mr Richard Brown

Chairman of governors Mr Miles Templeman

Age range 2 to 13

Number of pupils on roll 392

Boys 211 Girls 181

Day pupils 337 Boarders 55

EYFS 50 Juniors (Y1- 252

6)

Seniors (7-8) 90

Inspection dates 20 to 21 June 2018

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2018 Handcross Park Preparatory School – June 2018
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1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

About the school

1.1 Handcross Park School is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged between
two and thirteen years. Handcross Park is the trading name of Newells School Trust Limited. The school
is an independent charity and a subsidiary of Brighton College from which a majority of its governors
are drawn. The board of governors meets termly and its work is supported by four sub-committees.
The current headmaster took up the position in 2016. Since the previous inspection, the school has
created an all-weather-pitch, opened an art and design technology centre and built two extensions to
the boarding house.
1.2 The school was founded by Rev. William Henry Webb in 1887 and was originally known as Wykeham
Hall, based in Lee on Solent, Hampshire. The school was taken over by his son in 1903 and bought in
1918 by the Fleet Air Arm, moving into Seafield Park. In 1946, the school relocated to Lower Beeding
in Sussex and its name changed to Newells School. In 1968, following a major fire, the school moved
to Handcross Park, merged with Desmoor School and became a charitable trust. Formerly a boys’
boarding school, it became co-educational in the 1970s and later converted to a day school offering
weekly and casual boarding. In 2011 the school reintroduced full boarding.

What the school seeks to do

1.3 The school aims to provide the opportunity for pupils to experience a broad and rounded education
which will prepare them for the next stage of their education and future lives. Founded upon Christian
principles and welcoming children from all religious denominations and none, the school seeks to
encourage kindness and mutual respect among all pupils. It aims to foster good behaviour and
personal manners, and to equip each child with a sound knowledge of the past and wisdom for the
future.

About the pupils

1.4 Pupils come from a range of mostly professional, White British backgrounds living within reasonable
travelling distance of the school. About two-thirds of the boarders are from overseas, mostly China,
Russia and the European mainland. The school’s own assessment indicates that the ability of the pupils
is above average. The school has identified twenty-four pupils as having special educational needs
and/or disabilities, which include dyslexia, all of whom receive additional support. One pupil has an
education, health and care plan. English is an additional language for twenty-six pupils, who receive
additional support or tuition. Data used by the school have identified fifty-nine pupils as being the
most able in the school’s population. The curriculum is adapted for them and for pupils excelling in
sport and music.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2018 Handcross Park Preparatory School – June 2018
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2. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION

Preface
The registration authority for independent schools is the Department for Education (DfE), which directs
inspection according to a specified frequency or at any time where the DfE has particular concerns about a
school. The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the body approved by the Secretary of State for the
purpose of inspecting schools which are, or whose heads are, in membership of the associations which form
the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and reporting on the extent to which they meet the Independent
School Standards (‘the standards’) in the Schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards)
Regulations 2014. Accordingly, inspection records whether the school meets each of these standards, which
are arranged in eight Parts, each of which is divided into separate paragraphs. The inspection of schools that
have early years settings not requiring registration similarly records whether the school complies with key
provisions of the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework, and for registered settings the full range
of the Early Years Foundation Stage provisions is considered. Additionally, the inspection reports on the
school’s accessibility plan under Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 and the ban on corporal punishment
under section 548 of the Education Act 1996. It comments on the progress made by the school in meeting
the compliance action points set out in the school’s most recent statutory inspection.
This inspection also contains specific judgements on the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools
(‘boarding NMS’). It also comments on the progress made by the school in meeting the compliance action
points set out in the most recent statutory boarding inspection and it judges the extent to which the school
currently meets the boarding NMS. It identifies any standards which the school does not meet and requires
action to meet them. Findings are distributed across sections relating to the eight Parts of the standards.
All association independent schools will have an inspection within three years from April 2016, in accordance
with the Framework and DfE requirements. The inspection may be of COMPLIANCE ONLY or a combined
inspection of EDUCATIONAL QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE depending on a number of factors, including
findings from their most recent inspection. Schools judged not to meet the standards, including the boarding
NMS, may also be subject to a progress monitoring visit before their next routine inspection. The progress
monitoring visit will judge whether the school has taken the necessary action to meet any un-met standards
identified at their previous inspection.
The inspection was also carried out under the arrangements of the ISC Associations for the maintenance and
improvement of the quality of their membership.
This is a COMPLIANCE ONLY inspection and as such reports only on the school’s compliance with the
standards, including the boarding NMS. The standards represent minimum requirements and judgements
are given either as met or as not met. All schools are required to meet all the standards applicable to them.
Where the minimum requirements are not met, this is clearly indicated in the relevant section of the report
and the school is required to take the actions specified.
Inspections do not include matters that are outside of the regulatory framework described above, such as:
an exhaustive health and safety audit; compliance with data protection requirements; an in-depth
examination of the structural condition of the school, its services or other physical features; contractual
arrangements with parents; an investigation of the financial viability of the school or its accounting
procedures.
Inspectors may be aware of individual safeguarding concerns, allegations and complaints as part of the
inspection process. Such matters will not usually be referred to specifically in published reports in this
document but will have been considered by the team in reaching its judgements.
Links to the full regulations and requirements can be found here: The Education (Independent School
Standards) Regulations 2014, National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, Early Years Foundation
Stage Statutory Framework.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2018 Handcross Park Preparatory School – June 2018
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Key findings
2.1 The school meets the standards in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards)
Regulations 2014, the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools 2015, and relevant
requirements of the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, and associated
requirements, and no further action is required as a result of this inspection.

PART 1 – Quality of education provided

2.2 The school uses its own framework to determine attainment, instead of the national framework.
2.3 The curriculum is documented, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work for the pupils
and covers the required breadth of material. The teaching enables pupils to make good progress,
encompasses effective behaviour management and is supported by suitable resources. A suitable
framework for the assessment of pupils’ performance is in place.
2.4 The standards relating to the quality of education [paragraphs 1–4] are met.

PART 2 – Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

2.5 Principles and values are actively promoted which facilitate the personal development of pupils as
responsible, tolerant, law-abiding citizens. Boarders’ views are actively encouraged and their opinions
and concerns are appropriately considered by staff. Any prefect system operating in the school is
suitably managed.
2.6 The standards relating to spiritual, moral, social and cultural development [paragraph 5] and NMS
17 and 19 are met.

PART 3 – Welfare, health and safety of pupils

2.7 Arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils by means that pay due regard
to current statutory guidance; good behaviour is promoted; bullying is prevented so far as reasonably
practicable; health and safety requirements are met, including those relating to fire safety; provision
is made for first aid. Pupils are properly supervised; admission and attendance registers are
maintained, as required, and there is a strategic approach to risk assessment. A disability access plan
is in place.
2.8 An appropriate induction process for pupils new to boarding is implemented, and suitable provision is
made for boarders’ medical and health care, their food and drink and for managing boarders’ laundry
and possessions. Boarders have suitable contact with friends and family and access to a programme
of activities. Boarding staff are appropriately trained and deployed.
2.9 The standards relating to welfare, health and safety [paragraphs 6–16], the requirement of Schedule
10 of the Equality Act 2010, the ban on corporal punishment under section 548 of the Education Act
1996, and NMS 2–4, 6–12, 15 and 16 are met.

PART 4 – Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

2.10 The school makes appropriate checks to ensure the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors
and a register is kept as required. Visitors to boarding accommodation are appropriately supervised
and the school’s arrangements for guardianship are suitably managed.
2.11 The standards relating to the suitability of those in contact with pupils at the school [paragraphs
17–21] and NMS 14 are met.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2018 Handcross Park Preparatory School – June 2018
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PART 5 – Premises of and accommodation at schools

2.12 Suitable toilet, changing and showering facilities for pupils and appropriate accommodation for their
medical and therapy needs are provided. The premises are maintained to a standard commensurate
with health and safety; acoustics and lighting are appropriate; water provision is adequate. Suitable
outdoor space is provided for physical education and outdoor play. Boarding accommodation is
adequate for the needs of all boarders, and safeguards and promotes their welfare.
2.13 The standards relating to the premises and accommodation [paragraphs 22–31] and NMS 5 are met.

PART 6 – Provision of information

2.14 A range of information is variously published, provided or made available to parents, inspectors and
the Department for Education. These include details about the proprietor, the ethos of the school and
the curriculum, and of the school’s arrangements for admission, behaviour and exclusions, bullying,
health and safety, first aid, details of the complaints procedure, and the number of complaints
registered under the formal procedure during the preceding school year, and the provision for those
with education, health and care plans or English as an additional language. They also include
particulars of the school’s academic performance during the preceding school year, inspection reports
and (for parents only) a report at least annually of their own child’s progress. The safeguarding policy
is posted on the school’s website. A suitable statement of boarding principles and practice is published
by the school.
2.15 The standards relating to the provision of information [paragraph 32] and statement of boarding
principles [NMS 1] are met.

PART 7 – Manner in which complaints are handled

2.16 Parental complaints, if any, are handled effectively through a three-stage process, (informal, formal
and a hearing before a panel of three, one of whom is independent of the school). Each stage has clear
time scales, and at the third stage the panel can make findings and recommendations which are
communicated to the complainant. Records are kept appropriately, including of any action taken,
whether or not a complaint is successful, and identifying those relating to the boarding provision.
2.17 The standards relating to the handling of complaints [paragraph 33] and NMS 18 are met.

PART 8 – Quality of leadership in and management of schools

2.18 The proprietor ensures that the leadership and management demonstrate good skills and knowledge,
and fulfil their responsibilities effectively, so that the other standards are consistently met and they
actively promote the well-being of the pupils. Appropriate leadership and management of boarding
ensure that the required policies and records are maintained and effectively monitored.
2.19 The standards relating to leadership and management of the school [paragraph 34] and NMS 13 are
met.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2018 Handcross Park Preparatory School – June 2018
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INSPECTION EVIDENCE

The inspectors observed lessons, conducted formal interviews with pupils and examined samples of pupils’
work. They held discussions with members of staff, the chair of governors and other governors, observed a
sample of the extra-curricular activities that occurred during the inspection period, and attended form
meetings and chapel. Inspectors visited boarding houses and the facilities for the youngest pupils, together
with the learning support and educational resource areas. The responses of parents and pupils to pre-
inspection questionnaires were analysed, and the inspectors examined curriculum and other documentation
made available by the school.

Inspectors
Mr John Dunston Reporting inspector
Mrs Vivien Seargent Compliance team inspector (Former Head, GSA junior school)
Mrs Vicky Jenkins Team inspector for boarding (Head of department and former
deputy head, IAPS school

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2018 Handcross Park Preparatory School – June 2018