Dolphin School

Dolphin School, located in a rural setting in Berkshire, is a co-educational independent day school catering for children aged 3 to 13. The school is owned by Dolphin School Ltd, with Mr. Adam Hurst serving as the headteacher. The school comprises four sections: the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for Nursery and Reception pupils, lower school for Years 1 to 3, middle school for Years 4 to 6, and upper school for Years 7 and 8. Currently, there are 221 pupils enrolled, including 35 in EYFS, 80 in lower school, 78 in middle school, and 28 in upper school. The school has a diverse student body, with 59 pupils requiring support for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and 18 pupils who speak English as an additional language. The last inspection was a focused compliance and quality inspection conducted in June/July 2021.

The purpose of the recent unannounced progress monitoring visit, which took place on March 8, 2022, was to assess the implementation of the action plan submitted by the school following the previous inspection. The visit was requested by the Department for Education (DfE) to ensure that the school had addressed the identified areas for improvement.

During the visit, the inspectors focused on several key regulations. The findings indicated that the school met the standards for safeguarding, suitability of staff, provision of information, and quality of leadership and management. Specifically, the safeguarding policy was found to be appropriate, providing suitable arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. The implementation of safeguarding procedures was effective, ensuring that pupils received the necessary support in line with the guidelines set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). The policy included clear definitions of abuse and guidance on handling potential abuse situations, including bullying. The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) was proactive in addressing early signs of risk and ensured that the school listened to pupils’ concerns.

Records of safeguarding issues were well-organized and maintained confidentially, with effective communication established with parents when necessary. Staff members were trained in safeguarding responsibilities and demonstrated a clear understanding of their roles, particularly in relation to the needs of pupils with SEND. The school conducted appropriate recruitment procedures, ensuring that all necessary checks were completed before staff took up their positions. The single central register of appointments was accurately maintained, reflecting the dates of all completed checks.

The school also met the requirements for providing information related to safeguarding to parents, with details published on the school’s website. The leadership and management of the school were found to be effective, with appropriate procedures in place for managing safeguarding and welfare arrangements. The senior leaders, advisory board, and directors were actively involved in monitoring compliance with standards and statutory advice, ensuring that the well-being of pupils was prioritized.

The inspectors engaged in discussions with the headteacher, bursar, other staff members, and a director, as well as with groups of pupils. They scrutinized a range of documentation, records, and policies to assess the school’s compliance with the independent school standards. The overall findings from the visit indicated that Dolphin School had made significant progress in addressing the areas identified for improvement in the previous inspection.

In summary, Dolphin School has demonstrated a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils. The school has implemented effective policies and procedures, ensuring that staff are well-trained and aware of their responsibilities. The leadership team has established a culture of safety and support, fostering an environment where pupils feel safe and listened to. The school’s proactive approach to safeguarding, combined with its effective management and oversight, has resulted in a positive outcome from the progress monitoring visit. The school is well-positioned to continue its efforts in providing a safe and nurturing educational environment for all its pupils.