Sands School

Sands School, located in Ashburton, Devon, is an independent co-educational day school that aims to provide a holistic and individualized education for its pupils. The school operates under the oversight of a board of directors and has a current enrollment of 73 students aged 11 to 17. The school emphasizes giving pupils significant control over their education, supported by experienced adults, fostering an environment where students can make informed decisions and develop respect for themselves, others, and the environment.

The recent inspection conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate from February 27 to 29, 2024, evaluated the school against the Independent School Standards. The findings highlighted several strengths and areas for improvement. While the school meets the standards relating to the quality of education, training, and recreation, it falls short in areas concerning leadership and management, as well as pupils' physical and mental health and emotional well-being.

The inspection revealed that effective health and safety arrangements are not fully embedded in the school culture. There is a notable lack of formal training for staff responsible for health and safety, leading to inadequate implementation of the health and safety policy. Specific issues were identified, such as improperly maintained fire doors, unclear fire exit signage, and outdated checks on fire extinguishers. Although some of these issues were addressed during the inspection, the overall risk assessment procedures were found to be inconsistent and lacking comprehensiveness. The school has not consistently acted on recommendations from previous fire safety audits, particularly regarding the storage of combustible materials.

Despite these shortcomings, the school is praised for its commitment to developing pupils both emotionally and academically. The educational approach allows pupils to direct their own learning, choosing activities and lessons that align with their interests and passions. This autonomy fosters self-confidence, self-awareness, and a love of learning. The school meeting serves as a primary forum for discussion, where both pupils and staff have a voice in the management of the school, promoting democratic principles and respect for diverse opinions.

Teaching at Sands School is characterized by secure subject knowledge and effective lesson planning that aligns with pupils' interests. Pupils receive valuable verbal feedback, which they find helpful for improving their work. However, written feedback does not consistently provide the same level of guidance. The school has a well-developed personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education curriculum, but the approach to relationships and sex education (RSE) in senior years does not ensure that all pupils have access to the full programme, potentially leaving gaps in their learning.

Pupils demonstrate a strong sense of right and wrong, learning from their decisions and the consequences that follow. The school provides tailored education, with one-to-one support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring they are effectively integrated into lessons. The behavior of pupils is commendable, with a mature ability to regulate their own conduct and that of others. Incidents of bullying are rare, and when they do occur, they are addressed promptly.

The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, although participation in physical education is not consistently monitored. The careers programme is robust for senior pupils, preparing them for the next phase of their education, but it is less developed for younger students. The school recognizes the need to enhance careers education for these pupils.

In terms of safeguarding, the school has thorough policies and procedures in place, with effective oversight from the safeguarding governor. Staff are trained in accordance with statutory guidance, and there is a culture of monitoring and oversight regarding safeguarding issues. Pupils feel safe and supported, with trusted adults available to address any concerns.

However, the inspection identified that the standards relating to leadership and management are not met. Leaders lack the necessary skills and training in key areas such as health and safety, fire safety, and risk assessment. The oversight by governors is insufficient to ensure that leaders possess the required competencies to meet the standards consistently. Self-evaluation processes are not systematic, lacking the detailed analysis needed for compliance with regulations.

The school’s approach to promoting pupils' well-being is recognized, but the lack of effective health and safety training for staff and the absence of a comprehensive health and safety policy implementation hinder progress in this area. Fire safety arrangements are also inadequate, with issues related to signage, storage, and maintenance of fire safety equipment.

In summary, while Sands School excels in providing a supportive and engaging educational environment that fosters personal growth and academic achievement, significant improvements are needed in leadership, health and safety practices, and the consistency of educational provisions. The school is encouraged to take strategic actions to address these areas, ensuring that all pupils receive a safe and high-quality education that meets the required standards. The commitment to democratic principles and pupil involvement in decision-making is commendable, and with the right support and training for staff, the school can enhance its overall effectiveness and ensure the well-being of all its pupils.