Epic Learning

Epic Learning 16 September 2016 Epic Lancaster Centre, 128a Lancaster Road, London W11 1QS

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy and procedures reflect the latest statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State and are published on the school’s website. Every pupil is discussed at daily briefings and concerns raised are quickly shared with social care services, as appropriate. Staff training, including enhanced training for designated safeguarding leads, has been recently undertaken. As a result, the small number of vulnerable pupils on the school’s roll are well cared for.  Leaders have ensured that the school’s health and safety policy is effectively implemented. The building and facilities, which include classrooms, offices, a medical room and an open plan learning and recreation area, are clean, safe and well maintained.  Leaders have ensured that the school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire

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Main inspection findings

Safety) Order 2005. All checks, including of fire-safety equipment, alarms and emergency lighting, are completed in a timely way; any issues identified are rectified quickly. The fire alarm is tested weekly and this is logged. The most recent external fire-safety risk assessment was completed in May 2016. Fire exits are clearly signposted so that pupils are able to exit the building quickly and safely.  The school has a clear risk assessment policy and uses an online risk assessment system. During the inspection, a small sample of risk assessments was examined; these related to the building, trips and residential visits and the use of the nearby kayaking centre. All show that appropriate actions are taken to reduce risks so as to ensure that pupils are kept safe.  The school meets the requirements relevant to the material change for this part. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 25, 26, 27,

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Main inspection findings

27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c) 28(1)(d), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  Suitable toilet and washing facilities are available for the sole use of pupils. Staff are only permitted to use the disabled toilet. While a shower and changing area are available on the premises, pupils more regularly use the showers available to them when they are taught physical education, which is always taught off site.  The medical room meets all the necessary requirements.  The premises are safe, secure and well maintained. The health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured through effective implementation of the school’s health and safety procedures.  The acoustic conditions and sound insulation are suitable throughout the building.  Internal and external lighting throughout the premises is suitable.  Drinking water is available throughout the school day from a water cooler in the shared kitchen area. Cold and hot water supplies are adequate and the temperature

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Main inspection findings

of these supplies is safe and regularly monitored.  Physical education and outdoor recreational time are made available to all pupils off site, including at Canalside Centre, which is provided as part of the wider Epic organisation. This activity is appropriately risk assessed.  The school meets the requirements relevant to the material change for this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured that the move to the new premises has been well managed.  The proprietor and the school leaders have ensured that all the relevant independent school standards are consistently met and that pupils’ welfare is safeguarded.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

Unique reference number 140225 DfE registration number 207/6007 Inspection number 10022765 This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Independent alternative provision School status Independent special school Proprietor Brendan O’Keefe Chair Mary Mackle Principal Vicki Harrison-Carr Annual fees (day pupils) £12,000 Telephone number 020 7313 6547 Website www.epiccic.co.uk Email address epic@epiccic.org.uk Date of previous standard inspection 4−6 June 2014

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 13−18 Not applicable Not applicable Number of pupils on the school roll 11 Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 9 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 11 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 1 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 1 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 3 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 1 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 3 Not applicable

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Information about this school

 Epic Learning provides day places for up to 60 boys and girls aged from 13 to 18. There are currently 11 pupils on roll, including one who has an education, health and care (EHC) plan. All the pupils have special educational needs related to social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  The school is led by the social enterprise company Epic CIC, which was previously part of the school engagement programme in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.  This material change inspection was commissioned because the school relocated its premises from Golborne Youth and Community Centre in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to Epic Lancaster Centre, in July 2016. The relocation of the school site to new premises was a result of health and safety concerns relating to flooding of the existing building.  The school will remain at its new premises for this academic year only, as the Epic

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Information about this school

Lancaster Centre building will be demolished and rebuilt by the local authority from summer 2017. The school is likely to return to its previous premises at Golborne Youth and Community Centre until the new premises are ready.  The school’s last inspection was a full standard inspection in June 2014, which judged the school to require improvement.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was conducted by Ofsted 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. 1  The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to consider the school’s application for a material change to move to new premises.  The Department for Education requested that the inspector consider whether, as a result of the change of premises, the independent school standards contained within Parts 3, 5 and 8 are met.  The inspector met with the headteacher, proprietor and chair of governors, as well as staff responsible for human resources and safeguarding. He also reviewed key documents and policies, including those related to safeguarding, health and safety and fire safety, and scrutinised risk assessments.  There were no responses to the Ofsted online survey (Parent View).

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection team

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/25/contents 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 .

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Inspection team

Parent View 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. 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 .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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