Progress Schools - Carlisle

School material change inspection report

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Progress Schools Ltd 7 Victoria Place, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1EJ

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Overall outcome

The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2 (1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), (2)(b), 2(2)(c), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(f), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The proprietor has a written curriculum policy that fulfils the requirements for full- time education. A timetable for any additional Year 9 pupils that the school intends to support has been developed. It ensures that pupils will receive a broad and balanced curriculum. These programmes are based upon national curriculum criteria.  Appropriate additional schemes of work and a timetable have been created. The schemes of work provide detailed information about how subjects will be taught for pupils in Year 9, including mathematics; information and communication technology; science; English; history; geography; art and design; social, moral, spiritual and cultural development; and well-being.

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Main inspection findings

 It is planned that teachers will interpret and adapt the schemes of work to meet the needs of the school’s potential Year 9 pupils. Training programmes are available to staff to ensure that they are familiar with the subjects and materials provided.  The new curriculum clearly promotes an understanding of fundamental British values.  The existing curriculum for older pupils ensures that careers guidance is delivered effectively.  The aims and ethos of the school are clear and available from the school or via its website. The policies make reference to protected characteristics. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j)  Suitable lesson plans were in place at the time of the recent full inspection for key stage 4. These will be adapted to teach lessons to Year 9 pupils.  Adequate resources are in place to teach the subjects contained within the curriculum model to be adopted by the school. The school plans to develop vocational resources

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Main inspection findings

and physical education by moving to new improved premises.  The school has evidence based on its track record in teaching pupils at key stage 4 to show that the standards relating to the quality and impact of teaching are likely to be met if the school admits Year 9 pupils. Paragraph 4  There is an assessment policy. It is linked to the school’s aims and describes how information will be provided to parents or carers. It is planned that available prior attainment information will be provided to teachers so that a personalised learning programme can be developed for Year 9 pupils in the same way that this is currently handled for new entrants to the school in key stage 4.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)  There is a spiritual, moral, social and cultural development policy, and a personal, social and health education curriculum in place for key stage 4 pupils. A new scheme of work has been produced to enable these aspects of education to be taught to pupils in Year 9.  The curriculum policy and scheme of work references British values and provides details of how it is intended that these will be taught.  Adequate resources are available to ensure that the schemes of work can be taught by staff. This includes resources and provision that are likely to meet the needs of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The proprietor is committed to the promotion of equality of opportunity and an

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has a written child protection policy in place which is available from the school or website. There are a range of associated safeguarding policies which reflect the guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  The proprietor ensures basic pre-employment checks are carried out on new members of staff to verify that they are suitable for working with children.  Staff are made aware of the child protection measures that are in place and know what to do if they have concerns about pupils.  The proprietor has put in place a policy that meets the requirements of the ‘Prevent’ duty for schools. This is the duty that all schools have to consider how they can best protect children from the dangers of radicalisation.  Staff receive frequent training in safeguarding and are aware of the warning signs of abuse.  The proprietor has set up a single central record (SCR) to contain the necessary

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34 (1), 34(1)(a), 34 (1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has the required knowledge to ensure that statutory requirements are met to provide an appropriate curriculum for the anticipated introduction of Year 9 pupils.  A new headteacher has been appointed since the recent full inspection. Appropriate staff development and induction training is available to him.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor has ensured that the new curriculum for Year 9 pupils reflects the needs of pupils with protected characteristics and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet 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

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.

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School Details

Email address sion.hughes@progress-schools.co.uk

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School Details

Date of previous standard inspection 5–7 July 2016

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 14 to 18 13 to 16 13 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 7 7 7

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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 7 7

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 7 7

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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 0 0

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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 0 0

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 4

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 2 2

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Information about this school

 Progress Schools Ltd (Carlisle) is an independent day school registered for a total of 40 male and female pupils aged 14 to 18. It applied in December 2016 to change this age range to 13 to 16. It was last inspected in July 2016 and at that time no longer enrolled pupils aged over 16 years old.  There are currently seven pupils on roll. Pupils are dual-registered with local schools or the local pupil referral unit (Gilford Centre).  All pupils have a history of emotional and behavioural difficulty. Some have been permanently excluded from local maintained schools. Most pupils have low levels of attendance. All pupils have special educational needs but currently none have a statement of special educational need or an education, health and care plan. Pupils usually have skills in mathematics and English that are below average when they enter the school.  The school was previously part of the Education Youth Services group but was taken

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Information about this school

over by the Progress group in January 2016. The group also offers education in four other schools and access to vocational education via a separate company. The school building is in the city centre of Carlisle, but the company are actively seeking new premises.  A small number of pupils are in the care of the local authority or other local authorities and live in children’s homes.  As well as the headteacher, there is a proprietor, a chief executive officer and a managing director with responsibility for leadership. There are three directors of the company.  A high proportion of pupils on roll are supported by the pupil premium.

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Information about this inspection

 The school is currently registered for 14- to 18-year-old pupils and has applied for a material change to be registered for 13- to 16-year-old pupils.  The inspector reviewed documents presented by the school and held telephone conversations with the headteacher.  The inspector was the same inspector who led the full inspection in July 2016.

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Inspection team

Andrew Johnson, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector 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

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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.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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