ICS London

Emergency inspection school report International Community School 4 York Terrace East, Regents Park, London NW1 4PT

p.1

Reason for the inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education following an anonymous concern about pupils’ safety on a residential trip to India.  The inspector was asked to report against regulations contained within Parts 3, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspection was conducted without notice.  The school’s most recent inspection was a progress monitoring inspection in November 2014, when all independent school standards were judged to be met. The school’s last full inspection was in April 2014 when its overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate.  The inspector spoke with pupils who went on the trip, met with the head of school, trip leader, secondary principal and the designated safeguarding lead, and scrutinised all relevant documentation.

p.1

Main findings

 Leaders work hard to provide pupils with enriching learning experiences, including trips abroad. These are generally well planned, enjoyed by pupils and successful in meeting their aims.  Most arrangements for safeguarding in the school are strong. The school’s policy meets requirements and is published on the school’s website, alongside all other relevant policies. The designated safeguarding lead has implemented clear, detailed and reliable safeguarding procedures. Safeguarding training goes beyond what is expected of schools and includes, for example, recent training based on lessons learned from a local school’s serious case review. The school’s safeguarding culture, ably led by the designated safeguarding lead, is one in which ‘anybody can make a referral’ and where staff are continuously encouraged to ‘think the unthinkable’.  The school’s arrangements for first aid, including on school trips, meet requirements. For

p.1

Main findings

example, all staff who accompanied pupils on a recent residential trip were trained first aiders. Therefore, any medical incident could be appropriately cared for. Accidents, incidents and any action taken by first aiders are well documented.  Health and safety laws are complied with in line with the school’s clear health and safety policy, which is followed by all staff.  The school has appropriate risk assessments in place for a range of school activities. However, for a residential trip to India, a generic risk assessment provided by the external company organising the trip was relied on as the school’s only written risk assessment. While conversations were had, and useful information gathered about pupils and any additional needs before the trip, there was no system to record these and assess the risks as a result. Furthermore, although there were enough staff on the trip, they could have been deployed

p.1

Main findings

more effectively, especially if some specific risks arising during the trip had been more actively considered. Emergency inspection: International Community School, 20 May 2016 2 of 5

p.1

Main findings

 The school has not ensured that those with leadership and management responsibilities demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role and fulfil their responsibilities so that the independent school standards are met consistently and that they actively promote the well-being of pupils.

p.2

Regulations 2014 and associated requirements

 Ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school (paragraphs 7, 7(a)).  Ensure that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff on school trips (paragraph 14).  Ensure that the welfare of pupils on school trips is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified (paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)).  Ensure that those with leadership and management responsibilities demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; that they fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently and that they actively promote the well-being of pupils (paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)).

p.2

Regulations 2014 and associated requirements

Emergency inspection: International Community School, 20 May 2016 3 of 5

p.3

Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

p.3

Information about this school

 The International Community School is an independent international school for pupils aged three to 18. The school opened in 1979 and is registered to admit up to 380 pupils. There are currently 230 pupils on roll.  The school is situated on three sites in central London, which are all approximately a mile apart from one another.  Many pupils speak English as an additional language and a high proportion are foreign nationals. A small proportion have special educational needs.  The school’s curriculum is based on the International Baccalaureate. The school places a strong emphasis on the use of educational visits and additional experiences outside school to enrich the curriculum. Emergency inspection: International Community School, 20 May 2016 4 of 5

p.3

School details

Unique reference number 101171 Inspection number 10019010 DfE registration number 213/6304 This inspection was conducted at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. It was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008.

p.4

School details

Type of school International independent school School status Independent Age range of pupils 3–18 years Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 230 Proprietors Mr B A Toettcher and Mrs E A Toettcher Chair Mr B A Toettcher Head of school Ms R Threlfall Date of previous school inspection 26 November 2014 Annual fees (day pupils) £16,650–£22,100 Telephone number 020 7935 1206 Email address primary@ics.uk.net Emergency inspection: International Community School, 20 May 2016 5 of 5

p.4

School details

guidance 'Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 , or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

School details

You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

p.5

School details

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5

School details

inspects to 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 and 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 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit

p.5

School details

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 Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/user .

p.5

School details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5