Wize Up

Wize Up Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 203/6040 Unique Reference Number (URN) 136092 Inspection number 364336 Inspection dates 17 June 2011 Reporting inspector David Young 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

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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

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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

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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. 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.

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Information about the school

Wize-Up provides full-time and part-time education for up to 34 boys and girls aged between 11 and 16 years of age. The school opened in 2008 as a referral project but is now registered as an independent special school. It is located in Eltham, south- east London and admits students who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, some of whom are excluded either permanently or for a fixed term from their mainstream schools. Currently, there are 27 full- and part-time students on roll aged between 12 and 16 years, none of whom has a statement of special educational needs. For some, their time at the school is very short, while others stay for longer according to their needs. Students are funded either on an individual placement basis or through service-level agreements with local schools and education authorities.

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Information about the school

The school seeks to ‘teach young people how to grow into positive, responsible people, who can work and cooperate with others while developing knowledge and skills, so that they can achieve their potential’. It aims to do this by providing students with both guidance and support, and also a highly tailored curriculum in order to facilitate their return to mainstream school as soon as possible.

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Context of the inspection

The school was registered as an independent school in January 2010 and its first Ofsted inspection report was published in February 2011. The school’s action plan following inspection was approved by the Department for Education (DFE) in April 2011. This is the school’s first monitoring inspection to check progress with the implementation of the action plan.

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Context of the inspection

The school also requested that consideration be given to a material change by extending to 40 the number of students for which the school is registered.

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action plan

At the time of the previous inspection in February 2011 some members of staff had not received the required training in child protection. The school planned to arrange relevant training courses for all staff. As a result of implementing the plan, Independent school progress monitoring inspection report certificates are now available to demonstrate that all staff attended level 1 training in April 2011. In-house training is provided for staff who do not have supervisory or teaching contact with students, for example the cleaner and finance manager. Two recently appointed staff members have received in-house child protection training as part of their induction and are booked on to electronic level 1 training with an external provider to be completed later this month. Certificates are also available to confirm level 3 accreditation for three members of staff.

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action plan

The previous inspection also found that the child protection policy contained insufficient detail on staff training for child protection and the safe recruitment of staff. The school planned to review and improve the policy. The school administrator attended safer recruitment training in April 2011 and following this a recruitment and selection procedure has been documented which is in accordance with DFE ‘Safer Recruitment’ guidance. The school’s documentation also includes a code of conduct for staff covering all essential aspects of safe practice. The child protection policy now refers to the recruitment checks included in the recruitment policy. It also includes details of the child protection training requirements for all staff.

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action plan

At the time of the last inspection, the school’s risk assessments did not cover all required eventualities. The action plan stated that a specialist provider would be engaged to undertake risk assessments. The first visit by the specialist has been completed. Risk assessments are now in place covering all required areas of the school’s health and safety provision. Annual health and safety visits have been planned from the specialist company to ensure that all requirements continue to be met.

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action plan

At the time of the last inspection the school’s recruitment policy required updating. In particular, there was no reference to the requirement for a List 99 check for all staff appointed in advance of receipt of a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. CRB checks were obtained for all staff appointed but these could not be guaranteed to arrive before the appointment commenced. The recruitment policy has been updated to include a requirement for a List 99 check before appointment of all staff. Evidence in personnel files for recently appointed staff shows that List 99 checks have been completed. In addition, the requirement for a medical check was not included in the recruitment procedures. All newly appointed staff are now asked to confirm their medical fitness to undertake the responsibilities of the post. They are also invited to complete a voluntary medical questionnaire after appointment.

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action plan

The previous inspection required that the full details of checks on supply staff should be entered in the single central register. However, supply staff are not employed at the school and the school has no contractual arrangements with any employment business. The appropriate details of CRB checks are recorded in the single central register for regular visitors to the school such as sports coaches and counsellors. The school also checks their right to work in the United Kingdom, identity and CRB status and includes details of these as an annex to the single central register. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report At the time of the last inspection the single central register of the checks on the suitability of staff to work with children did not include details of when the required checks were carried out and by whom. The single central register is now comprehensive. All required checks are in place, dated and signed. The register is up

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action plan

to date, including details of the most recently appointed staff.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements.

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Request for material change

During the course of the monitoring visit a request for a material change was considered, to increase the number on roll for which the school is registered. The school is currently registered for a maximum of 34 students and has requested an increase to admit 40 students in the current age range. The school’s accommodation and facilities were inspected and are adequate to accommodate up to 40 students. There are sufficient classrooms of suitable size, sufficient numbers of toilets for boys and girls and appropriate arrangements for emergency evacuation of the premises. The current staffing levels are appropriate to accommodate the proposed increase in the number on roll.

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Request for material change

It is recommended that the request be approved. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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School details

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

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School details

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 11 Girls: 7 Total: 18

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School details

Number on roll (part-time pupils) Boys: 6 Girls: 3 Total: 9

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School details

Number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs Boys: 0 Girls: 0 Total: 0

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School details

Number of pupils who are looked after Boys: 1 Girls: 0 Total: 1

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School details

Address of school 579 Westhorne Avenue Eltham London SE9 6DN

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