The Stewart Bilingual School

Progress monitoring school report La Petite Ecole Bilingue

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Context of the inspection

 This second monitoring inspection was undertaken at the request of the Department for Education, to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its latest action plan and to check if independent school regulations are met in the following areas: pupils’ welfare and safety; suitability of staff; premises and accommodation.  The school opened in September 2012. The school’s first full inspection was in June 2013. During this inspection, leadership and management were judged inadequate because the proprietor failed to ensure that all regulations were met. Pupils’ welfare, health and safety were judged inadequate because too many regulations were not met, in particular the required checks undertaken on staff and others associated with the school, and the school’s single central register was not completed correctly.  An unannounced monitoring inspection in November 2013 identified a number of unmet

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Context of the inspection

regulations. The school was required to take action to meet The Education Regulations 2010, and the associated requirements.  Following this first monitoring inspection, the school submitted an action plan in December 2013 to address these areas. The action plan was evaluated as satisfactory in most areas, subject to inspection.

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Good progress

As requested by the Department for Education, regulations relating to pupils’ welfare, health and safety were investigated as part of this inspection. This second inspection visit found that regulations are now met. The proprietor and head of school responded urgently to the findings from the first monitoring inspection. They have implemented the action plan to address poor practice and to ensure compliance in previously unmet regulations.

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Good progress

The inspection in November 2013 found weaknesses in the school’s checks on staff and their recording of these checks on the single central register. In accordance with their action plan, the school’s leaders audited all staffing records to identify missing documentation. They instigated new security checks on individuals to obtain the required information. Criminal record checks were undertaken. New signed and dated references were received for some staff where these were non-existent. Additional checks for staff, volunteers, sports and language instructors now show their suitability to work with children and their right to work in the United Kingdom. These investigations provide evidence to confirm the suitability of all staff for continued employment in school. The single central register accurately reflects this additional scrutiny. It is now a complete record showing the required checks for all staff and others associated with the school have been carried out.

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Good progress

Robust systems are now in place to manage the required checks for staff recruitment and future appointments.

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Good progress

The November 2013 inspection visit found inadequacies in the child protection policy and Monitoring report: La Petite Ecole Bilingue, 11 June 2014 2 of 5

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Good progress

staff training. The child protection policy has now been updated and it is on the school website. It informs parents and carers of the safer recruitment procedures used by the school. The inspector assessed the quality of recruitment information in the files of all staff and their training records. This documentation shows that training for child protection is up to date for all staff. The headteacher has now completed her training to fulfil her role as designated child protection officer.

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Good progress

In November 2013, there were deficiencies in the school’s fire safety precautions. The school action plan has driven the necessary changes to ensure that the policy and actions are compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The inspector assessed the premises for fire safety risk and scrutinised a range of supporting evidence about fire assessments and compliance. This regulation is now met. Leaders have strengthened their routine practice in managing fire safety. Fire exit maps and signage are clearly displayed throughout the school. Records show regular fire alarm testing, fire drills and evacuation from the premises, all of which are closely monitored by the head of school. Fire extinguishers are checked and records are kept of the date of these checks. Fire marshal’s high visibility jackets are easily accessible to the designated fire marshals. A fire safety audit in March 2014 records no major concerns. One minor recommendation is

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Good progress

for leaders to ensure that the school adheres to using fluorescent strips on the steps in the entrance hall.

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Good progress

In response to the findings of the first monitoring inspection, the first aid policy has been rewritten. It meets regulations. It is implemented effectively for hygiene procedures in the case of spillage of blood or body fluid. First aid boxes are organised with the required amount of equipment. They are regularly checked and replenished.

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Good progress

The monitoring inspection in November 2013 identified failings in the provision of medical accommodation and the suitability of toilet facilities. These failings have been addressed. A dedicated room is provided for the medical treatment of pupils. A portable sink has been installed for washing purposes. A bed is prepared and privacy is assured by a safety screen. Medical records and the treatment of ill or injured pupils are recorded by staff and monitored by the head of school. There is good recording of contact with parents. The first aid room has useful displays showing photographs of qualified first aiders, emergency contact numbers and health and safety guidance about infectious diseases.

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Good progress

The implementation of the school’s action plan now meets the regulations for toilet facilities. A problematic area under the stairs, previously used for girls’ toilets, was too narrow to allow easy access to all cubicles. The rooms for the girls’ and boys’ toilets have been changed. The boys’ toilets, which are now located under the stairs, have two urinals which take up less space; there is adequate space for two sinks and cubicles. Whilst toilet facilities for boys meet requirements, they are not ideal. The proprietor is considering reconfiguring these spaces to accommodate larger facilities.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements. Monitoring report: La Petite Ecole Bilingue, 11 June 2014 3 of 5

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Information about this school

 The school opened in September 2012 as an independent school. It is located in a large house in West London. It is a bilingual school, teaching English and French. The proprietor runs three other schools and a nursery, one of which is in Paris.  The school is registered for 70 boys and girls aged from three to 11 years. The present number on roll is 47. There are 22 children in the Early Years Foundation Stage.  None of the pupils has a statement of special educational needs and none is disabled.  About half of the pupils are native English speakers and half are French speakers, but a large minority are bilingual when they come to school. There are also a small number of pupils with other native languages such as Russian, Italian, and Korean.  The school follows the English Early Years Foundation Stage programme.  The school uses facilities outside school. This includes the local park for recreation, the

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Information about this school

library and the community centre for art, music and drama.  There have been two headteachers at the school since it opened. The present headteacher was appointed in September 2013.  The school’s aim is to ‘provide a bilingual education in a warm, homely and supportive environment where an exciting, broad and varied curriculum offers an intellectually challenging learning experience that is enriched through the arts, music and sport’. Monitoring report: La Petite Ecole Bilingue, 11 June 2014 4 of 5

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School details

Unique reference number 138599 Inspection number 444630 DfE registration number 207/6001 This inspection was conducted at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. It was carried out under section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005. Type of school Bilingual primary school School status Independent school Age range of pupils 3–7 years Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 47 Number of part time pupils 0 Proprietor Anne Henderson-Stewart Headteacher Valerie Gombert-Pfister Date of previous school inspection 20−21 June 2013 Annual fees (day pupils) £8,550 Telephone number 0208 960 2725 Email address lpebl.admission@gmail.com Monitoring report: La Petite Ecole Bilingue, 11 June 2014 5 of 5

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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