The school at Hackney city farm

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Hackney City Farm 20 October 2016 1a Goldsmith Row, Hackney, London E2 8QA

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  At the time of the last inspection leaders had not ensured that pupils understood the potential dangers posed by radicalisation and extremism. As a result, pupils were unable to express how they might protect themselves from such risks. Safeguarding systems were not robust. Risk assessments were not effective enough to meet the requirements of the standards.  The proprietor has ensured that leaders have taken the necessary actions to ensure that these standards are now met.  Teachers now teach pupils about the risks posed by extremism and radicalisation systematically. They check pupils’ understanding effectively and adapt further lessons to suit their needs. Leaders have changed the curriculum with the help of a consultant. The scheme of work for personal, social, health and economic education now provides opportunities for pupils to deepen their understanding. Pupils who

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Main inspection findings

spoke to the inspector knew about some local and national issues related to extremism and radicalisation. They could express their own views and explain what the school was doing to help them understand why some young people may get drawn into terrorism.  Senior leaders have also made the necessary improvements to premises’ safety checks and security. Their assessment of risks is now thorough and well considered. Paragraph 11  During the last inspection, inspectors found that the school was inadequately heated. The premises were not sufficiently well maintained or cleaned.  School leaders and governors have thoroughly reviewed arrangements for checking the safety of the premises, and evaluated the effectiveness of the health and safety policy. They now ensure that working areas are kept clean and warm. They demonstrate a better understanding of the challenges of managing the safety of the complex premises in which the school is based. Leaders have taken steps to

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Main inspection findings

undergo training so that they become more knowledgeable about health and safety requirements. As a result, their records of checks on the premises are more thorough. Defects and potential risks are picked up more promptly. However, leaders do not consistently note timescales for, and outcomes of, improvements. This aspect of the independent school standards is now met. Paragraph 14  At the time of the last inspection, pupils were permitted to leave the premises during their breaks with insufficient supervision. The risks associated with these arrangements had not been assessed rigorously enough. Parents’ permission for these times away from the premises had not been obtained.  Pupils are no longer permitted to leave the premises without supervision. They told the inspector that this was always the case. The school’s records indicate that there have been no incidents of concern related to pupils spending time outside school.

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Main inspection findings

The school’s written policies and procedures make clear teachers’ responsibilities for supervision. Supervision of pupils within the premises is effective. It pays due regard to the varying risks associated with pupils’ use of different parts of the site. This aspect of the standards is now met. Paragraph 15  At the last inspection, the admission register was not maintained according to the requirements.  Senior leaders have developed a new, securely stored admissions register which includes all the information required by the standards. They work closely with the schools that refer pupils to them in order to manage the transfer of information when pupils move. Leaders can demonstrate a secure understanding of the purpose of this register in safeguarding pupils from the risk of going missing from education. They have added a statement on this in their recent safeguarding policy review. This standard is now met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The risk assessments scrutinised at the last inspection were not rigorous enough to meet the requirements of the standards. Some risks associated with the premises, noticed by inspectors, had not been identified through the school’s risk assessment procedures.  The farm manager is responsible for reviewing and developing the school’s risk assessments. He has recently used additional training on premises’ safety management to review and improve his assessment of risks. A revised risk assessment policy outlines these improvements clearly.  Leaders have used the policy to make improvements to the premises and procedures. For example, they have made ramps to provide safer disabled access. Their regular review enables them to identify when tests and checks are needed, such as an imminent check on portable electrical appliances.  Leaders now maintain detailed risk assessments for individual pupils, which includes

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Main inspection findings

risks related to extremism. This enables teachers to promote pupils’ own awareness of risk well. Pupils spoken to could explain why they need to protect their identity when using social media. They understand why fire drills are needed. The standards related to risk assessment are now met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  At the last inspection, it was found that the school was inadequately heated. The premises were not sufficiently well maintained or cleaned. Inspectors noticed a number of risks posed by the premises which had not been identified by school leaders’ own checks on the premises.  The proprietor has ensured that leaders have improved the safety of the premises. Leaders make more regular and systematic checks to ensure that the premises are maintained to a suitable standard. The school is now routinely cleaned and checks on the standard of cleanliness are made each day. Members of staff notice when

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Main inspection findings

cleaning standards dip and put this right themselves before pupils arrive. As a result, all areas of the school, including the toilets, are acceptably clean. However, leaders do not provide a schedule of cleaning requirements to school cleaners. Some areas of the school, including classrooms, remain unnecessarily cluttered in parts. Leaders recognise this and have plans to make further improvements.  The heating system has been improved. On the day of the inspection, the classroom was warm although it was cold outside. Leaders have taken effective action to improve the temperature of the school.  A locking gate and fences have been erected since the last inspection to improve security.  The improvements made are now ensuring that this standard is met. However, the records kept of checks on the premises sometimes lack helpful details about timings of checks, repairs and responses to incidents. Part 6. Provision of information

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c)  At the time of the last inspection, the school’s safeguarding policy was not published on its website.  The school now publishes its safeguarding policy online. The version published was reviewed in September 2016. This standard is, therefore, now met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  At the time of the last inspection, school leaders had not used their skills and knowledge to ensure that all of the independent school standards were met.  Since the last inspection, the proprietor has taken effective action to ensure that the range of skills and knowledge of leaders in relation to the independent school standards has improved. The acting education lead is providing strong leadership and effective advice to senior leaders as they monitor the impact of their plans for improvement. The partnership with New Regent’s College, which refers most of the

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Main inspection findings

pupils to the school, is providing further helpful challenge and support for school leaders and governors. As a result, all of the standards which were checked during this inspection, including those in this part of the regulations, are now met.

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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 were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 The proprietor ensures that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school and such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. (Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b))  The proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy. (Paragraph 11)  The proprietor ensures that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff. (Paragraph 14)  The proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. (Paragraph 15)  The proprietor ensures that the welfare of pupils at the school 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.

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

(Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b))  The proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured. (Paragraph 25)  The proprietor ensures that particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request. (Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c))  The proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently. (Paragraph 34(1)(a))  The proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

standards are met consistently. (Paragraph 34(1)(b))  The proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school actively promote the well-being of pupils. (Paragraph 34(1)(c))

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School details

Unique reference number 141737 DfE registration number 204/6011 Inspection number 10022109 This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school. Type of school Special school School status Independent school Age range of pupils 13–17 Gender of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 6 Of which, number on roll in sixth form 0 Number of part-time pupils 2 Proprietor Hackney City Farm Chair David Brook Headteacher Adrian Johnson Annual fees (day pupils) £13,500 Telephone number 020 7729 6391 Website www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk Email address school@hackneycityfarm.co.uk Date of previous standard inspection 26–27 January 2016

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Information about this school

 The Hackney City Farm school operates as an alternative education provider for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.  The school opened in 2005 within a farm which is open to the public. It gained registration as an independent school in 2015.  The school is registered to admit up to 10 pupils aged from 10 to 17. None of the pupils currently on roll are in the sixth form. Two of the pupils have an educational, health and care plan.  Most pupils are referred to the school by New Regent’s College in Hackney. Most of them continue to be jointly registered with the school which they originally attended.  The proprietor is Hackney City Farm, consisting of two trustees. A board of three governors, which includes the farm manager, has been appointed since the school was first registered. In July 2016, the proprietor appointed an acting education lead to support senior leaders in securing further improvements to the school.

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Information about this school

 The school’s aims are to ‘engage, nurture, care and prepare pupils for their future lives’.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  Following the last inspection, the school submitted an action plan which was found by inspectors to require improvement.  The inspection was conducted with no notice.  The inspector conducted a tour of the school with the school manager.  A range of documents relating to risk assessment, safeguarding and safety was scrutinised.  The inspector looked at the school’s admission register and the central record containing checks on the suitability of staff.  Meetings were held with school governors, the acting education lead, the head of school and the inclusions lead from New Regent’s College, which refers all the pupils

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Information about this inspection

attending the school.  The inspector spoke to pupils about the school’s safeguarding arrangements.

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Inspection team

Andrew Wright, lead inspector Her Majesty’s 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

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

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

government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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

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