RISE Education

Rise Education Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

DfE registration number 315/6589 Unique Reference Number (URN) 136678 Inspection number 407139 Inspection dates 17 September 2012 Reporting inspector Fatiha Maitland 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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under

p.1

the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.2

To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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.

p.3

Purpose and scope of the inspection

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

Rise Education is situated in Mitcham in the London Borough of Merton. The school is managed by a board of trustees as part of a limited company, Immanuel House. The school was registered and opened in February 2010 and provides an education for students who are at risk of permanent exclusion from mainstream schools. There are currently 15 students aged from 14 to 16 years on roll, including three students who attend school on a part-time basis. Students are referred to the school by Wandsworth and Merton local authorities. One student has a statement of special educational needs. There is currently one student who is looked after by his local authority.

p.3

Information about the school

The school has a Christian ethos. The headteacher is also a pastor of a local church. The school’s aims reflect the letters in its name: ‘restoring, inspiring, sustaining and empowering individuals to reach their potential’.

p.3

Context of the inspection

The school was first inspected in February 2012 when a number of regulations were not met, including shortcomings in welfare, health and safety, and the premises and accommodation. The school drew up an action plan for improvement in response to the report. This was evaluated in May 2011 and was judged to be satisfactory.

p.3

Context of the inspection

This is the report of the first monitoring visit undertaken in order to evaluate the progress made by the school towards implementing its action plan.

p.3

action plan

The inspection of February 2012 reported that the provision for students’ welfare, health and safety was inadequate because the procedures to recruit and ensure that staff were suitable to work with children lacked rigour. The school had written policies and procedures which outlined the necessary checks on the recruitment and the suitability of staff. However, the absence of senior leaders and the high levels of staff turnover had resulted in a number of omissions in the school’s procedures so that the required checks had not been completed on all members of staff before they started work. The single central register was incomplete and did not meet requirements. The school did not store cleaning chemicals and materials safely. For Independent school progress monitoring inspection report one day a week there was no suitably trained and qualified first aider on the school site.

p.3

action plan

In response, the school has updated its child protection policy and recruitment procedures, which now record the name of the school’s designated person. The school has also reviewed the information obtained on its staff. The Criminal Records Bureau checks are completed for all members of staff and certificates are obtained. All the required vetting checks are completed on all members of staff to ensure their suitability to work with children. The single central register is in place and this records all the necessary information on the checks on all members of staff and the proprietorial body. All hazardous cleaning materials are now securely stored in a locked cupboard. There are now four certified first aiders in school to attend to students’ needs and to cover for staff absences and school trips.

p.4

action plan

The earlier inspection noted that there was no appropriate facility on site for students who were ill. Students had access to areas to play a variety of table games to relax but there was limited outdoor space available. The school now ensures that there is a suitable designated area with a washbasin for students who might become unwell during the school day and this is located reasonably near washroom facilities. The school now provides students with appropriate and regular access to an enlarged outdoor area on the site and to a local park for recreation and physical activities, so that this provision now meets requirements.

p.4

action plan

The previous inspection report identified weaknesses in the school’s complaints policy and procedures. These shortcomings have been remedied. The school has revised its complaints policy and procedures, which now meet the requirements.

p.4

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

p.4

Type of school

Secondary school for students who are at risk of permanent exclusion from mainstream schools

p.5

Type of school

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 11 Girls: 1 Total: 12

p.5

Type of school

Number on roll (part-time pupils) Boys: 1 Girls: 2 Total: 3

p.5

special educational needs

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

p.5

special educational needs

Annual fees (day pupils) £8,000 – £10,800

p.5

Address of school

Units 1–3 37–39 Western Road Mitcham CR4 3ED Telephone number 020 8648 6088

p.5

Address of school

Email address immanuel.house@btconnect.com

p.5