Totnes Progressive School

School material change inspection report

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Totnes Progressive School 14 October 2016 Windmill House, Ashburton Road, Totnes TQ9 5JT

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  Thorough arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school.  Arrangements have clear regard to the latest guidance issued from the Secretary of State.  The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date and regularly reviewed and published on the school’s website together with related policies.  All staff, including the designated safeguarding leads, have regular training at the appropriate level in all aspects of safeguarding including e-safety and the prevention of extremism and radicalisation.  The school’s safeguarding leads are rigorous in following procedures and work closely with the local children’s safeguarding board and other agencies if and when required.  The standard for safeguarding in part 3 is likely to continue to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved. Paragraph 11

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with.  The school has an appropriate health and safety policy which is implemented effectively at all times by staff who have received health and safety training.  All procedures are overseen by the health and safety manager who provides a weekly health and safety summary report to the headteacher and meets with him fortnightly to ensure that any health and safety concerns are reported and addressed.  The standard for health and safety in part 3 is likely to continue to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved. Paragraph 12  The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform for Fire Safety through effective procedures to promote fire prevention and safety.  Advice from a fire prevention company has been received and implemented. A fire risk assessment has been carried out and any actions completed and implemented. Fire

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Main inspection findings

signage is clearly displayed around the building.  Detailed records of all procedures, including fire evacuation drills, are recorded in a fire log, together with regular checks on alarms, emergency lighting and firefighting equipment.  All fire equipment is serviced in accordance with recommendations. Adequate numbers of staff are trained as fire marshals and all staff have received training in fire safety procedures.  The standard for fire prevention in part 3 is likely to continue to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved. Paragraph 14  The proprietor ensures that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff.  Staff have clear roles of responsibility for the supervision of pupils at different times of the day, including during breaks and lunchtime.  All lessons and activities are well supervised, both during the school day and in any

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Main inspection findings

after-school activities. Procedures to ensure the safety of pupils on arrival and departure are clear.  The school has clarified with parents the details of pupils’ arrival and departure.  The standard for the supervision of pupils in part 3 is likely to continue to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor has ensured that the welfare of pupils is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy. The policy addresses the monitoring of procedures with regard to pupils’ welfare and well- being and the health and safety and security of the premises. Appropriate action is taken to reduce identified risks.  The school prioritises the safety and well-being of pupils at all times. Communication between staff is strong and ensures that all staff consistently support the needs of pupils and respond to any concerns to minimise identified risks for pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils have the opportunity for life-coaching to develop resilience and to develop awareness of risk in order to manage it with confidence.  The standard for the drawing up and implementation of a written risk assessment policy in part 3 is likely to continue to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

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Main inspection findings

 All required checks have been carried out for the suitability of staff and proprietors to work with children.  Checks include identity and medical fitness, qualifications, the right to work in the UK, the taking up and verification of two references and an enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service for all staff and proprietors.  The school does not employ supply staff.  All checks are accurately recorded on the single central register which is monitored regularly and updated as required.  The standard for the suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors in part 4 is likely to continue to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises and accommodation at schools

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Main inspection findings

 Suitable and separate toilet and washing facilities are provided for boys and girls.  There are suitable changing facilities and showers for boys and girls in the school.  The accommodation for pupils who are ill includes a washing facility, and is near to a toilet facility.  The proprietor has ensured that the premises and accommodation are maintained to a high standard so that the health and safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.  Lighting and external lighting are suitable. The acoustic and sound insulation of each room is suitable and has regard to the activities which normally take place therein. The music technology room is suitably soundproofed.  There are adequate supplies of hot and cold water and suitable drinking water provided separately from washroom facilities.  There is outdoor space for recreation and activity. The school also uses the facilities at a nearby sports centre for physical education and all pupils take part in the Duke of

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Main inspection findings

Edinburgh Award and Ten Tors training off-site.  The standard for the premises and accommodation in part 5 is likely to continue to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Main inspection findings

 The leadership and management of the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role, fulfil their responsibilities effectively and actively promote the well-being of pupils so that the independent school standards are met.  The standard for part 8 is likely to continue to be met if the implementation of the material change is approved.

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School details

Unique reference number 1801 DfE registration number 878/1801 Inspection number 10021357 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 likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make. Type of school Day School status Independent school Proprietor Ross Robens Chair Heidi Strawson Headteacher Ross Robens Annual fees (day pupils) £6,200–£6,500 Telephone number 01803 864 484 Email address ross@top-school.co.uk Date of previous standard inspection N/A

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10–16 10–16 10–16 Number of pupils on the school roll 68 85 85

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 68 85

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 24 24

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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 6 6

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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 3 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 13 13

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 3 3

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Information about this school

 Totnes Progressive School is an independent, non-selective day school for boys and girls located near the centre of Totnes, Devon.  The school was established in September 2014 by the proprietor and two additional directors, one of whom is the director of well-being at the school and the other who is a parent of a pupil.  The aim of the school is to provide a stimulating environment for academic tenacity and to promote self-reliance, responsibility and resourcefulness and personal, social and academic conscientiousness.  The school has recently leased and moved to new premises, which previously have been a school and are now an English language school in the school summer holidays. The premises provide accommodation for teaching and learning, including for science, music and art, a kitchen and an open space for practical subjects, such as drama, and whole-school meetings and performances. There is an outdoor area for

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Information about this school

play and recreation.  The school has a development group of directors made up of parents, teachers and an impartial member who is independent of the management of the school.  There are currently 68 girls and boys on roll between the ages of 11 and 16. All pupils attend full-time. Nineteen pupils are identified as having special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The school has appointed a special educational needs coordinator for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.  There are four pupils with education, health and care plans, three of whom are supported by the pupils’ local authority.  The school prepares pupils for GCSE examinations and other national awards.  The school uses a local sports centre for physical education and games.  Pupils take part in extra-curricular Duke of Edinburgh Award and Ten Tors events.  The school had an inspection visit for unregistered institutions in November 2014 and

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Information about this school

was advised to register as an independent school. The school had a pre-registration visit in July 2015.

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Information about this inspection

 The school seeks to establish full registration. It has moved to newly refurbished premises which have been set up as a school and wishes to extend the number of pupils on roll.  The purpose of this inspection was to check compliance with part 3, the standards for safeguarding, health and safety, fire prevention, supervision of pupils and the implementation of a risk assessment policy. Part 4 and part 5 have been checked in their entirety for compliance and part 8 for the leadership and management of the school.  The inspection included scrutiny of the safeguarding policy (part 3) and that the policy is published on the school website or otherwise made available on request in hard copy from the school (part 6).

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, 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 the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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