The Tutorial Foundation

The Tutorial Foundation Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

DfE registration number 305/6080 Unique Reference Number (URN) 135670 Inspection number 364128 Inspection dates 14 October 2010 Reporting inspector Michael Best achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you

p.1

give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’. Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann’s Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090137 Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

p.2

Purpose and scope of the inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005. 1,2 The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

p.3

Information about the school

The Tutorial Foundation is registered to provide education for up to 20 pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) aged from five to 16 years; currently there are 24 boys and girls on roll, 14 attending full-time and 10 on a part- time basis. Most pupils come from Bromley or Bexley. Part-time pupils also remain on the registers of the local authority schools which have placed their pupils here. The education of these pupils has been disrupted, mainly as a result of their disruptive or challenging behaviour. All but one have a statement of special educational needs.

p.3

Information about the school

The Tutorial Foundation has existed for 30 years as a supplementary school providing tuition for pupils after school and at weekends. This school provision was registered separately in June 2008 to provide education for pupils with special educational needs. It is located in a large house on a residential street in Bromley. The building is shared between the school and the pupils who attend the supplementary provision but the provision for these two groups does not overlap.

p.3

Information about the school

The school’s mission statement is: ‘To strive to improve the vocational, economic and social future of our pupils by providing a congenial learning environment and by creating an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for all, where everyone, irrespective of ability, can realise their potential, make valuable contributions and become responsible citizens of the future.’

p.3

Context of the inspection

The school’s first Ofsted inspection took place in November 2009 when it was found to meet most, but not all, of the regulations. The report identified non-compliance in aspects of the curriculum, teaching, welfare, outdoor provision and financial reporting to local authorities. The school submitted an action plan to the Department which was evaluated, and found to have shortcomings, in February 2010. A revised action plan was submitted and evaluated in March 2010; some shortcomings remained. A further revision was undertaken by the school and this version was

p.3

Context of the inspection

1 www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/ukpga_20020032_en_14#pt10-ch1-pb4-l1g162 2 www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2005/ukpga_20050018_en_15#sch8 Independent school progress monitoring inspection report evaluated and approved in July 2010. This is the first monitoring visit to check the progress made by the school in implementing its action plan.

p.3

action plan

When the school was inspected in November 2009, there were too few planned opportunities for art, music and physical education (PE) for pupils in Key Stages 1 to 3. Schemes of work have been drawn up and implemented throughout the school, with a satisfactory amount of time allocated to each subject. The school has appointed specialist teachers in these subjects to teach in Key Stages 3 and 4. The school now offers externally validated courses in art and PE, and a unit award in music. In the primary age classes, these subjects are now taught on a regular basis by class teachers. The regulation is now met.

p.4

action plan

The inspection also found that time in lessons was not always used to best effect, for example when pupils were required to copy significant amounts from textbooks instead of applying their efforts to solving problems. Worksheets, while relevant, were overused at the expense of practical activities. The school now more actively manages the composition of teaching groups and has raised teachers’ awareness of pupils’ needs. In mathematics, an interactive whiteboard has been installed in the subject room and resources improved with the purchase of various games and puzzles. A new English programme has been introduced, reducing the number and frequency of worksheets, and more emphasis is now given to GCSE coursework and oral work in Key Stage 4 lessons. Assessment and tracking systems have also improved and the school can demonstrate accelerated progress by previously underachieving pupils. Tutor time has also been established for three sessions per

p.4

action plan

week and, as a result, pupils are taking greater responsibility for their learning and for meeting their personal targets. The regulation is now met.

p.4

action plan

When the school was inspected in November 2009, there were occasions when adults intervened in pupils’ learning too readily, which reduced opportunities for them to come to solutions independently. Analysis of pupils’ workbooks showed a lack of challenge for some pupils. The school has provided in-service training for staff and lesson planning is now being monitored weekly. A consultant has been engaged to observe teaching; feedback and coaching are offered to staff, providing constructive guidance and indicating the next steps in improving pupils’ learning. As a result, teachers’ expectations have risen and learning objectives are more systematically shared with pupils. The regulation is now met.

p.4

action plan

The designated person with lead responsibility for child protection had not received the required level of training for that post when the school was inspected in November 2009. Appropriate training was completed in June 2010 and the designated person issued with a confirmatory certificate. The regulation is now met. The inspection report noted that school had not prepared a three-year plan to increase accessibility to the premises and curriculum over time. Since then, the Independent school progress monitoring inspection report school has conducted an audit and drawn up a suitable three-year accessibility plan to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended. The requirement is now met.

p.4

action plan

The inspection in November 2009 found that the small outdoor area was used well for relaxation and was suitable for the older pupils. However, it was unsatisfactory for the needs of pupils in the primary age range. This outdoor area has now been paved and provides suitable hardstanding and space for the number of primary pupils on roll. A range of small apparatus is available and use of this area is timetabled so as not to clash with its use by older pupils.

p.5

action plan

The inspection report noted that the school had yet to submit an annual account to local authorities in relation to the income received and expenditure incurred in respect of the pupils they funded. The school has sent local authorities a chart showing the overall breakdown of its expenditure. However, it has not provided them with the required statements of income received and expenditure received in respect of pupils funded by those local authorities. The regulation remains unmet.

p.5

Compliance with regulatory requirements

As a result of this inspection, the school must take action to meet The Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2010 3 (‘the Regulations’), as follows:  ensure that, where a pupil who is registered at the school is wholly or partly funded by the local authority, an annual account of income received and expenditure incurred by the school in respect of that pupil is submitted to the local authority and, on request, to the Secretary of State (paragraph 24(1)(h)).

p.5

Compliance with regulatory requirements

3 www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/1997/contents/made Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

p.5

School details

Type of school Special school for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties

p.6

School details

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 9 Girls: 5 Total: 14

p.6

School details

Number on roll (part-time pupils) Boys: 8 Girls: 2 Total: 10

p.6

School details

Number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs Boys: 9 Girls: 4 Total: 13

p.6

School details

Number of pupils who are looked after Boys: 4 Girls: 2 Total: 6

p.6

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £17,009–£27,467 (including VAT)

p.6

School details

Address of school 76 Freelands Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 3JR

p.6

School details

Email address Admin@thetutorialfoundation.co.uk

p.6

School details

Proprietor Ms Julia Low and Ms Karen Taylor

p.6