Schoolhouse Education

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Schoolhouse Education 42 Combwell Crescent, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9LZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2, 2(1)(a), 2(2)(a)  At the time of the previous inspection, leaders did not provide a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work. Pupils did not experience the full range of linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, and creative education.  The action plan that leaders produced following the inspection was not acceptable. Leaders wrote a further action plan which was provided at the start of this inspection.  There is a curriculum policy in place with appropriate review dates. Leaders have drawn up a curriculum map to ensure that all aspects of the curriculum are covered, including science and humanities. There are detailed plans and schemes of work for all areas of the curriculum. During the inspection, the lead inspector visited lessons in mathematics, English, art, technology, creative education and science.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 3, 3(g)  At the time of the last inspection, there was no framework by which to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly or to use assessment information to plan teaching to meet pupils’ needs.  Pupils’ work is now assessed every six weeks. The assessment information is recorded centrally. Leaders check pupils’ progress and ensure that additional support is put in place where pupils fall behind. Information on pupils’ progress is shared with parents and carers and pupils themselves.  Pupils are keen to share their work and to explain the progress they make. Pupils record their progress information on tracking sheets in their books.  Teachers make effective use of information about pupils’ starting points to plan lessons which meet pupils’ needs. Many pupils have low starting points. They make progress because of the guidance they are given by teachers.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7(a), 7(b), 12, 16(a), 16(b)  At the time of the last inspection, leaders had not ensured that arrangements were in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. The safeguarding policy did not meet requirements. Leaders had not ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. There was no written risk assessment policy in place, and action to reduce risks had not been identified.  There is now a safeguarding policy which meets requirements. This policy is published on the school website. Leaders and staff are trained in safeguarding. Leaders understand their responsibilities and draw on advice and support from external agencies when necessary.  There is now a risk assessment policy in place. There are additional policies, for example a first aid policy, a health and safety policy and a fire safety policy. Appropriate fire

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Main inspection findings

safety checks are carried out and recorded. The most recent fire drill took place on 21 March 2018. Fire extinguishers are checked regularly by engineers, as are electrical appliances. Exit signs are clearly visible around the premises.  Risk assessments are in place, including assessments for trips with appropriate actions outlined to reduce risks.  Pupils feel safe in school. They are confident that staff help them with difficulties both inside and outside school. There is a culture of safeguarding.  Leaders have ensured that the standards checked during this inspection are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18, 18(2), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(3), 19, 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i)  At the time of the last inspection leaders did not ensure that all the required checks on the suitability of staff to work with children had been completed.  Leaders now keep an electronic record of checks on staff. These records include checks on identity, qualifications, prohibition from teaching, medical fitness and the right to work in the United Kingdom for all staff.  There is a safer recruitment policy and the headteacher completed safer recruitment training this year.  Governors and representatives from the local authority check these records regularly. Paragraph 21, 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(b), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(6)

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Main inspection findings

 At the time of the last inspection, leaders did not ensure that all the required checks on the suitability of agency staff to work with children had been completed.  All appropriate checks on agency staff are now carried out by leaders. These checks are recorded centrally and dated.  Leaders have ensured that the standards checked during this inspection are now met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23, 23(1), 23(1)(c)  At the time of the last inspection leaders did not ensure that there was suitable changing accommodation and showers for pupils taking part in physical education.  Leaders have organised access to changing accommodation and showers in a local school. This agreement was confirmed in writing in February 2018.  Leaders have ensured that the standards checked during this inspection are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32, 32(1), 32(1)(d), 32(2), 32(2)(c), 32(3), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(g)  At the time of the last inspection, leaders did not provide parents with all the required information.  The previous inspection report is now on the school website. The school’s academic performance for 2017 is on the website. The name and contact address of the chair of governors is on the school website.  There are currently no pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Nor are there any pupils who speak English as an additional language in the school. The local authority places pupils with an EHC plan or those who speak English as an additional language in other local authority provision.  Leaders have ensured that the standards checked during this inspection are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34, 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  At the time of the last inspection in July 2017, leaders did not ensure that the independent school standards were met. There were weaknesses in the quality of the education provided.  Pupils are making progress in lessons. Pupils’ progress is assessed and tracked regularly. This assessment information is shared with pupils and their parents. Pupils who fall behind with their work are given extra support.  Leaders monitor the quality of teaching. Teachers use assessment information to plan lessons which meet pupils’ needs.  Leaders have ensured that the standards checked during this inspection 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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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that: – a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – for the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a) the matters are: – a full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education (paragraph 2, 2(1), (2)(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(a)).  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school: – demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 The standard in this paragraph is met if 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 standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 1 (paragraph 12).  The standard in this paragraph is met if 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 (paragraph 16(a), 16(b)).

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

1 SI 2005/1541, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 The standard in this paragraph is met if: – no such person carries out work, or intends to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act, or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction; – the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of each such person: – the person’s identity; – the person’s medical fitness; – the person’s right to work in the United Kingdom; and – where appropriate, the person’s qualifications (paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv)).  The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub-paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment (paragraph 18(3)).  The standard in this paragraph is met if:

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– a person offered for supply by an employment business to the school only begins to work at the school if the proprietor has received: – that the checks referred to in paragraph 21(3)(a)(i) to (iv), (vii) and (b) have been made to the extent relevant to that person – before a person offered for supply by an employment business begins work at the school the person’s identity is checked by the proprietor of the school (irrespective of any such check carried out by the employment business before the person was offered for supply) – the proprietor, in the contract or other arrangements which the proprietor makes with any employment business, requires the employment business to provide: – the notification referred to in paragraph (a)(i) (paragraph 19(2), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i)).  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question (paragraph 21(1)).  The register referred to in sub-paragraph (1) may be kept in electronic form, provided that the information so recorded is capable of being reproduced in legible form (paragraph 21(2)).  The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is: – in relation to each member of staff (‘S’) appointed on or after 1 May 2007, whether – S’s identity was checked; – a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction; – checks were made to ensure, where appropriate, that S had the relevant qualifications – a check of S’s right to work in the United Kingdom was made; and – in relation to each member of staff (‘S’), whether a check was made to establish

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed (paragraph 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(b)).  The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation to supply staff: – whether written notification has been received from the employment business that – checks corresponding to those referred to in sub-paragraph (3)(a)(i) to (iv), (vi) and (vii) have been made to the extent relevant to any such person and – the information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation each member (‘MB’) of a body of persons named as the proprietor appointed on or after 1 May 2007, whether the checks referred to in paragraph 20(6)(b) were made, the date they were made and the date on which the resulting certificate was obtained (paragraph 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(6)).

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education (paragraph 23, 23(1)(c)).

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Part 6. Provision of information

 The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that: – following an inspection under section 108 or 109 of the 2008 Act, a copy of the report of the inspection (if it has been sent to the proprietor) is published and maintained on the school’s internet website, and provided to the parents of each registered pupil, by any date specified by the body who conducted the inspection (paragraph 32(1)(d)).  The information specified in this sub-paragraph is: – where there is a governing body, the name and address for correspondence of its Chair (paragraph 32(2)(c)).  The information specified in this sub-paragraph is: – particulars of educational and welfare provision for pupils with EHC plans and pupils for whom English is an additional language – particulars of the school’s academic performance during the preceding school year, including the results of any public examinations

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Part 6. Provision of information

– a copy of the report of any inspection carried out under sections 108 or 109 of the 2008 Act or section 87(1) of the 1989 Act (paragraph 32(3)(b), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(g).

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if 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; – fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – actively promote the well-being of pupils. – For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c) ‘well-being’ means well-being within the meaning of section 10(2) of the Children Act 2004 (paragraph 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c), 34(2)).

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School details

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.

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 0

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School details

Email address school-house@btconnect.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4–6 July 2017

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Information about this school

 Schoolhouse Education is located in the London Borough of Greenwich. It provides full- time education for boys and girls aged 14 to 16 years who are unable or unwilling to continue their education in mainstream schools. Pupils are referred to Schoolhouse by the local authority. All pupils have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities, mainly related to emotional and behavioural needs. Currently, no pupil has an EHC plan.  The school is a registered charity, limited by guarantee. A board of management consisting of three members plus the headteacher oversees the school.  The previous full inspection took place in July 2017 when it was found that a number of the independent school standards were not met.  The school is closing in July 2018. The Department for Education (DfE) has been notified.

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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.  The inspection was carried out without notice.  This was the first progress monitoring inspection since the inspection on 4 to 6 July 2017.  An action plan was submitted to the DfE in December 2017. This action plan was unacceptable. A second action plan was provided by leaders at the start of the monitoring inspection.  The inspector toured the premises, held meetings with the headteacher, leaders responsible for safeguarding, and other staff. The chair of governors was not available during the inspection. The inspector spoke to a governor on the phone and met with a representative of the local authority.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector visited lessons and spoke with pupils.  Documentation, including policies, attendance records, assessment records, risk assessments and records of pre-employment checks, was reviewed during the inspection.

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Inspection team

Dame Joan McVittie, 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

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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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