Farney Close School is a smaller than average independent residential special school, registered for up to 72 boys and girls aged between 11 and 18. There are currently 48 pupils on the school roll. All pupils have a statement of special educational needs or education, health and care plans for their severe social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Nearly all the pupils board from Monday to Friday in the residential accommodation on site. Over 25 local authorities place pupils in the school. About one quarter of the pupils currently on roll are in the care of their local authorities. There are no pupils at an early stage of learning English. The sixth form opened in September 2011. Pupils currently in the sixth form attend Central Sussex College, Crawley or Plumpton College, East Sussex, studying a wide range of vocational courses. The last integrated inspection of the school and residential provision was carried out in January 2012. The school’s aims are ‘that all children and young people should have the opportunity to receive an education that supports each of them to become the best version of themselves.’ Inspection report: Farney Close School, 3–5 November 2015 8 of 10 Information about this inspection This integrated inspection of the education and residential provision was carried out with half a day’s notice. The social care inspector spent time in the residential homes, observing evening activities, scrutinising documents and speaking to pupils and staff. All pupils present were observed learning in lessons across a range of subjects. The lead inspector was accompanied by the deputy headteacher or headteacher on all observations. Inspectors met with groups of teaching and residential staff, senior leaders of the school and the residential provision and two governors. Documentation and policies relating to the independent school standards and the national minimum standards for residential special schools were scrutinised. Records related to pupils’ behaviour, progress and safety were examined. There were insufficient responses to Parent View to be taken into account. Inspectors spoke to three parents on the telephone and also had conversations with social workers and the manager of a children’s home. Ten responses to the staff questionnaire were taken into account. The lead inspector scrutinised the quality of lesson planning and examples of pupils’ work across a range of subjects.