Springfield Christian School

Progress monitoring school report Springfield Christian School 145 Perry Hill, Catford, London SE6 4LP

p.1

Context of the inspection

 This inspection was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection since its last full inspection in October 2015 and was conducted without notice. At the last inspection the school was judged to be inadequate, when a number of requirements were not met.  The Department for Education wrote to the school on 14 March 2016 to note that the action plan it had submitted on 25 January 2016 had not been approved.  The inspection focused on the school’s progress in implementing those parts of the action plan relating to Parts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards. The inspection also checked the progress towards those aspects highlighted in sections 1, 2 and 3 of the statutory requirements for the early years provision.  The inspector met with the headteacher, proprietor, observed learning in all classes, scrutinised a wide range of documentation and spoke with pupils and staff throughout

p.1

Quality of education provided

 At the time of the last inspection, the school did not have a scheme of work for music. In its action plan, the school indicated that it would devise a new scheme that would include assessment success criteria. As a result of implementing its action plan, the school now has a satisfactory scheme of work for music that is based on the requirements of the national curriculum. As a result, all the requirements for this part are met.

p.1

Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 At the time of the last inspection, the school did not comply with three of the paragraphs of the independent school standards for this part. This was because the school’s safeguarding policy did give sufficient detail about such issues as child sexual exploitation (CSE) and forced marriage (FM), particularly for younger children. In its action plan, the school indicated that it would revise its safeguarding policy to include more detail about CSE and FM. As a result of implementing its action plan, the school’s safeguarding policy has been updated and now meets current requirements. All staff have received training in the ‘Prevent’ duty and all staff have been given a copy of the school’s revised safeguarding policy.  The inspection in October 2015 identified a number of health and safety issues. For example, behind an unfixed low screen in the baby room, cupboards and drawers containing equipment and scissors had no child safety latches. Also, an unlocked toilet

p.1

Welfare, health and safety of pupils

cubicle adjacent to the library was found to have a faulty water heater. In its action plan, the school indicated that these issues would be swiftly rectified, and that the headteacher and proprietor would appoint a consultant and also attend training in health and safety. As a result of implementing its action plan, the health and safety Monitoring report: Springfield Christian School, 14 June 2016 2 of 6

p.1

Welfare, health and safety of pupils

issues identified have been rectified. A consultant has visited the school and the headteacher and proprietor have attended health and safety training in March 2016.  At the time of the last inspection, proprietors and governors were not monitoring the implementation of the school’s risk assessment policy regularly enough. In its action plan, the school indicated that daily indoor and outdoor checks would be made and recorded by staff. They also proposed that all staff would be furnished with a daily, weekly and half-termly checklist to ensure that all areas are maintained to a high standard. The proprietor and leaders now regularly monitor the effective implementation of risk assessments and the health and safety of the school. Detailed records are kept so that any aspects that need improvement can be swiftly rectified.  The school meets all the requirements for this standard.

p.2

Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 The inspection in October 2015, identified that not all references and checks, including ‘disqualification by association’, were received before staff appointments were confirmed. As a result of implementing the action plan, the school’s safer recruitment policy was revised, updated and ratified by governors in March 2016. Scrutiny of a sample of staff personnel files confirmed that all recruitment checks meet requirements.  At the time of the last inspection, leaders not did not maintain a suitable register that recorded all the required details of employment checks. The single central register of recruitment checks now meets current statutory requirements.

p.2

Premises of and accommodation at schools

 At the time of the last inspection, the school had not ensured that a suitable bed and first aid equipment was provided in the medical room. Inspection of the medical room confirmed that this aspect has been rectified.  The school now meets all the requirements for this standard.

p.2

Provision of information

 At the time of the last inspection the school’s safeguarding policy did not give sufficient detail about such issues as CSE and FM, particularly for younger children. This has now been rectified and the updated safeguarding policy complies with the Secretary of State’s most recent guidance. Consequently, the requirements for this standard are met.

p.2

Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 Since the last inspection, the proprietors, headteacher and all staff have worked very effectively to address the unmet requirements.  Through the engagement of specialist advisors, implementation of staff training and strengthening the monitoring of teaching and children’s learning, the proprietors and headteacher have ensured that all the independent school standards are met and that pupils’ well-being is assured.

p.2

Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

 At the time of the last inspection, staff did not systematically record and use meaningful evidence to plan challenging experiences for children. Inspection evidence shows that staff now make effective use of baseline assessments so that they have a clear understanding of where children are currently operating and are able to plan meaningful activities. Learning journals and diaries carefully track and evidence children’s progress. This information is recorded on the local authority’s tracking spreadsheet, from which a meaningful analysis can be drawn.  The inspection in October 2015 identified that leaders did not ensure that there was always an appropriate mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity. As a result of implementing the action plan, staff regularly review how they use their interactions to support and extend children’s learning. From inspection evidence and scrutiny of the Monitoring report: Springfield Christian School, 14 June 2016 3 of 6

p.2

Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

school’s records of observations, staff are now scaffolding learning during purposeful play and free-flow activities rather than just ‘supervising’ these activities.  At the time of the last inspection, not all staff had received appropriate training so that they were confident in assessment and in planning suitable activities for children. Staff have attended training led by a number of providers, including the local authority. Sessions have included strategies for assessing children’s progress and planning purposeful play sessions. In addition, staff have visited good or outstanding early years settings in order to observe good practice. The local authority’s advisor for early years has provided very helpful training, support and guidance regarding early years practice and the requirements of the inspection framework.  During the last inspection, issues relating to safer recruitment and health and safety in

p.3

Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

the early years provision were identified. As detailed above in relation to the whole school, these shortfalls have now been rectified.

p.3

and associated requirements

Monitoring report: Springfield Christian School, 14 June 2016 4 of 6

p.4

Inspection team

David Scott, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

p.4

Information about this school

 The school aims to ‘encourage the highest standards in academic and extra-curricular pursuits within a friendly and supportive community’. The central aim is to ‘nurture children in the way of God’.  The joint proprietors are husband and wife. They started Springfield Christian School in 1999. One proprietor worked full time in the school, where she was known as ‘matron’. She had responsibility for the curriculum, teaching and learning and children’s welfare. In September 2015, an internally promoted leader was appointed as headteacher to undertake these responsibilities.  Since September 2015, the school has ceased to provide education for key stage 2 pupils, due to the constraints of the school premises. There are 48 children on roll. There is new provision for five babies which falls outside the remit of this inspection. There are 35 children aged between two and five in the early years, 16 of whom attend part time. Eight key stage 1 pupils

p.4

Information about this school

are taught in a combined Year 1 and Year 2 class.  Leaders are currently recruiting additional governors to join the governing body.  The school provides before- and after-school day care for children from 8am to 6pm.  The school was last inspected in October 2015. Monitoring report: Springfield Christian School, 14 June 2016 5 of 6

p.4

School details

Unique reference number 132110 Inspection number 10017843 DfE registration number 209/6362

p.5

School details

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.5

School details

Type of school Christian School status Independent school Age range of pupils 2−7 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 48 Number of part time pupils 16 Proprietor Mr and Mrs Oludimu Chair Mr Burford Headteacher Mrs Seun Adebayo Date of previous school inspection 13−15 October 2015 Annual fees (day pupils) £6,000 Telephone number 0208 291 4433 Website www.springfieldsch.co.uk Email address admin@springfieldsch.co.uk 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.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

School details

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

p.6