Sibford School

Sibford School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school located in a village near Banbury, Oxfordshire. The school operates under a Quaker ethos and is governed by a charitable trust overseen by a board of governors known as the school committee. Boarding is available from the age of 11, with students accommodated in two boarding houses on the main school site. The school also includes an Early Years Foundation Stage setting within its junior school. As of May 2022, the school has a total of 414 pupils enrolled, including 395 day pupils and 19 boarders. Among these, 222 pupils require support for special educational needs and/or disabilities, with two having an education, health, and care plan. Additionally, twelve pupils speak English as an additional language. The previous inspection of the school was a regulatory compliance inspection combined with an educational quality inspection, which took place from November 30 to December 3, 2021.

The purpose of the unannounced progress monitoring visit conducted on May 26, 2022, was to assess whether the school had fully implemented the action plan submitted following the regulatory compliance inspection in December 2021. The visit focused on the school’s compliance with the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, the National Minimum Standards for Boarding 2015, and the Early Years Foundation Stage Requirements. The specific regulations that were the focus of the visit included safeguarding provisions, the appointment of staff, the provision of information, and the quality of leadership and management.

The inspection team found that the school met the standards for safeguarding, as outlined in Part 3, paragraphs 7 and 8 of the Independent School Standards Regulations, as well as National Minimum Standards 11. The school has an appropriate safeguarding policy that provides suitable arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. The implementation of this policy is effective, with the school acting in accordance with locally agreed inter-agency procedures and maintaining strong links with local safeguarding partners. Staff, including the designated safeguarding lead and deputy leads, are suitably trained and understand their responsibilities regarding safeguarding. The school has established appropriate procedures for addressing child-on-child abuse, including issues related to sexual harassment or violence, and provides necessary support to affected pupils. The school also has effective procedures in place for handling allegations against staff and teaches pupils how to keep themselves safe, including online safety. Governors maintain oversight of the school’s safeguarding practices, which includes engaging with pupils about concerns raised in the previous inspection. The safeguarding team provides adequate coverage across the school, including in boarding, the Early Years Foundation Stage, and the sixth form.

The school has made significant improvements since the previous inspection, particularly in ensuring that arrangements for listening to pupils are effective. The school responds appropriately to concerns raised by pupils and takes necessary actions. The recruitment procedures are effective, ensuring that all teaching staff are checked for prohibition from teaching orders before they begin working at the school. The school meets the standards for the appointment of staff, as outlined in Part 4, paragraph 18, and National Minimum Standards 14. All new staff undergo the required suitability checks, and the school has implemented effective systems to ensure that no staff member starts working until all checks are completed.

In terms of the provision of information, the school meets the requirements for providing safeguarding information to parents, with details published on the school’s website. The quality of leadership and management is also in compliance with the standards set forth in Part 8, paragraph 34, and National Minimum Standards 13. The leadership demonstrates good skills and knowledge, fulfilling their responsibilities effectively to ensure that other standards are consistently met while actively promoting the well-being of pupils. Monitoring of leadership, management, and boarding provision is effective, with leaders taking steps to foster a school culture where pupils feel comfortable speaking to adults about their concerns.

The inspection findings indicate that the school meets all the requirements of the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools 2015, and the Early Years Statutory Framework. As a result, no further action is required following this visit. The inspectors engaged in discussions with the headteacher, senior leaders, and other staff members, as well as meeting with the safeguarding governor. They also spoke with groups of pupils and reviewed various documentation, records, and policies to assess the school’s compliance with the relevant standards.

Overall, the progress monitoring visit confirmed that Sibford School has effectively implemented the necessary actions to address the points raised in the previous inspection. The school has demonstrated a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils, ensuring that they are supported in a safe and nurturing environment. The leadership and management of the school have shown a proactive approach in addressing previous concerns and fostering a culture of openness and support among pupils. The school’s ongoing efforts to maintain high standards in safeguarding, staff recruitment, and overall pupil welfare reflect its dedication to providing a quality educational experience for all students.