Schools & FE · Independent school inspection
Park View Academy
Summary
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- Inspection date verified
12 Mar 2018
- Inspectors verified
David Scott
- Postcode verified
DA16 1SR
- Name on report verified
Park View Academy
- URN verified
138386
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No strong criticism found.
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- 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. p.4
- Age range of pupils 7 to 19 7 to 19 7 to 19 p.5
- Number of pupils on the school roll 25 30 30 p.5
- Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 20 20 p.5
- Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 25 30 p.6
- Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 22 25 p.6
- 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 22 25 p.6
- Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 18 23 p.6
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Health & safety9
“The premises are safe, secure and well maintained.” p.2
Anatomy of the report
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- Pages
- 9
- Words of findings
- 887
- shorter than usual (typical 1813)
- Reading level
- Fairly hard
- Flesch 51, typical 49
- Average sentence
- 16 words
- Next steps
- 8
- typical 8
- Hedged sentences
- 0%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
School material change inspection report
p.1
Park View Academy 146–148 Parkview Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SR
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Main inspection findings
Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a) and 16(b) The safeguarding policy reflects the Secretary of State’s latest guidance, published by the Department for Education: ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2016), and ‘Working together to safeguard children’ (revised February 2018). It is published on the school’s website, together with all the other required policies. Staff training at the correct level, including training for designated safeguarding leads, is up to date. Teachers regularly review their practice with regard to safeguarding. For example, teachers attend regular briefings where they can raise any possible ‘early help’ concerns they may have about pupils. Leaders have ensured that the school’s written health and safety policy is effectively implemented. The building and facilities, which include classrooms, offices, a medical
p.1
Main inspection findings
room and social areas, are clean, safe and well maintained. Policies and written risk assessments have been completed, are of good quality and meet all the required aspects of health and safety in reducing identified risks. A visit from an external fire safety consultant took place on 9 March 2018 to check compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for the new classrooms. This visit found that the school met the requirements for fire safety. Fire exits are clearly signposted so that pupils are able to leave the building quickly and safely. A tour of all classrooms with the headteacher confirmed that pupils were well supervised by an appropriate number of adults. The school is likely to meet the requirements relevant to the material change for this part. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii),
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Main inspection findings
18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(1), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(2)(e), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b), 21(8) All the required background checks on all appointed staff and governors are included in a single central record of recruitment checks, which meets requirements. The school does employ supply staff and has appropriate procedures in place to conduct the required checks on agency staff. The school is likely to meet the requirements relevant to the material change for this
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Main inspection findings
part. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 22, 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 25, 26, 27, 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) The two proposed new classrooms are located on the first floor of a former office building, which the school already occupies. There is a separate entrance on the ground floor, and leaders have devised an appropriate accessibility plan to fulfil its duties under the Equality Act 2010. The building consists of 14 classrooms and includes specialist teaching areas for music technology and a performance space for assemblies and drama productions. In addition, there are three offices, a medical room, four sets of toilets and a soft play area. Suitable toilet, changing and showering facilities are provided. Staff have their own separate toilet. The premises are safe, secure and well maintained. The health, safety and welfare of
p.2
Main inspection findings
pupils are ensured through effective implementation of the school’s health and safety procedures. A suitable medical room with washing facilities is provided, which pupils may use if they become unwell. A toilet is located nearby. The acoustic features and sound insulation, together with internal and external lighting, are suitable throughout the building. Water supplies, including regulated hot water and labelled drinking water, are likely to meet requirements. Physical education will be taught at a nearby sports centre. This is equipped with suitable changing and showering facilities. There is also adequate safe outside space for pupils’ recreation activities. The school is likely to meet the requirements relevant to the material change for this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c) Leaders have thought carefully about the location and use of the two proposed new
p.2
Main inspection findings
classrooms. This is to ensure that the curriculum continues to meet pupils’ changing needs. The headteacher and managing director have an excellent knowledge and understanding of their role and responsibilities. They have ensured that all the relevant independent school standards are consistently met, and that pupils’ welfare is safeguarded.
p.2
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.
p.4
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.
p.5
School details
Type of school Other independent special school
p.5
School details
Annual fees (day pupils) £35,000 to £60,000
p.5
School details
Date of previous standard inspection 1–3 March 2017
p.5
recommendation
Age range of pupils 7 to 19 7 to 19 7 to 19
p.5
recommendation
Number of pupils on the school roll 25 30 30
p.5
School’s current position School’s proposal
Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 20 20
p.5
School’s current position School’s proposal
Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 25 30
p.6
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 22 25
p.6
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 22 25
p.6
School’s current position School’s proposal
Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 18 23
p.6
School’s current position School’s proposal
Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0
p.6
Information about this school
Park View Academy is one of three schools in the ALP group. It caters for pupils who have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan. These are related to their autism spectrum condition and/or social, emotional and mental health difficulties. While the school aims to meet the needs of pupils on a temporary basis as an alternative provision, many pupils remain at the school for the long term. All pupils are placed and funded by a range of local authorities. The majority of pupils access support from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The school’s previous standard inspection was in March 2017, when its overall effectiveness was judged to require improvement. Some pupils access alternative provision as follows: – motor mechanics courses at Archway, Thamesmead, London SE2 9BS – animal therapy at Animal Days Out, Welling DA16 3AD. Additional off-site sports and enrichment activities are made available to pupils as
p.6
Information about this school
follows: – sports activities and physical education at Crook Log Leisure Centre, Bexleyheath DA7 4HH – swimming and sports activities at Allhallows Leisure Park, Rochester ME3 9QD. The school’s website meets all the requirements of the independent school standards.
p.7
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 use additional premises within the same building, and increase the number of pupils on roll from 25 to 30. The Department for Education requested that the inspector consider whether, because of the proposed changes of premises, the independent school standards contained within Parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 are met. The inspector met with the headteacher and the managing director. He toured the school site, visiting all classrooms, offices and toilets. He also reviewed key documents and policies, including those related to safeguarding, health and fire safety, and scrutinised a range of risk assessments.
p.8
Information about this inspection
There were too few responses to the Ofsted online survey (Parent View) to generate meaningful analysis.
p.8
Inspection team
David Scott, 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.
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Inspection team
You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visitwww.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.
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Inspection team
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- 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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