The Outdoor School

School pre-registration inspection report

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The Outdoor School Woodland Adventurers, Boxfields Road, Box, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0NS

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)–2(1)(b)(i), 2(2)–2(2)(b), 2(2)(d)–2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The proposed school’s curriculum is based firmly around outdoor education and experiences. Leaders state that approximately 80% of pupils’ time will be spent outdoors.  The proprietor has not, however, drawn up effective plans and schemes of work to support the school’s vision for its curriculum. Leaders’ plans lack specific detail and do not clearly establish how pupils will make progress across the range of subjects that the school will offer. In particular, the plans and schemes do not take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of the pupils the school is likely to cater for, most of whom will come from the proprietor’s early years setting.  Leaders state that the school will follow the key stage 1 national curriculum but their plans and schemes of work do not clearly show how this will be done.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 3, 3(a)–3(f)  As a result of the shortcomings of the curriculum plans and schemes of work, teaching in the school is unlikely to meet the requirements set out in these paragraphs of the independent school standards.  In particular, leaders’ planning does not clearly set out how teaching will help pupils acquire new knowledge and make good progress. The plans will not ensure that lessons will be well planned or based on a secure understanding of relevant subject knowledge. Paragraph 2(1)(b)(ii), 3(g)–3(j), 4  The school’s plans and schemes of work do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  School leaders have a framework in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and for pupils’ performance to be evaluated.  The school’s behaviour policy provides a sound basis for teachers to ensure that

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Main inspection findings

pupils conduct themselves well and act responsibly.  Overall, the standards in this part are unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5–5(d)(iii)  Leaders have a very clear vision of how the school will promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. In doing so, they will seek to build on the ethos established in the proprietor’s early years provision, which it is expected that the great majority of pupils will have attended.  Leaders will foster age-appropriate leadership opportunities, such as helping at snack time. This will develop, for example, pupils’ self-confidence and sense of responsibility.  In a similarly age-appropriate way, the emphasis that leaders place on listening to the pupils’ views will develop pupils’ understanding of how to participate, to listen to the views of others and to treat these views with respect.  Cultural understanding will be developed through a variety of activities, such as the study of French and the festivals of all the major religions represented in modern

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Main inspection findings

Britain.  The standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–7(b)  School leaders do not have a secure understanding of safeguarding in a school context. Prior to the pre-registration inspection, they had no knowledge of the relevant guidance issued by the Secretary of State, ‘Keeping children safe in education’, September 2016. As a result, they are not in a position to make effective arrangements to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare.  Leaders do not have a good understanding of the principles of safer recruitment as they apply to the pre-employment checks required for teachers and managers in an independent school.  The school’s safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website, although it does not pay sufficient regard to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Paragraph 9–9(c), 10, 14  The school’s behaviour policy is clear and will help to promote good behaviour among pupils. It is supported by an anti-bullying strategy that, when implemented, is likely to

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Main inspection findings

prevent bullying as far as reasonably possible.  The envisaged ratio of 10 pupils to one member of staff will ensure that pupils are likely to be well supervised. This will also help to promote good behaviour. Paragraph 11  The school has a written health and safety policy which clearly identifies the person responsible for its implementation. The policy establishes clear principles for ensuring health and safety in the school and makes reference to relevant legislation. Paragraph 12, 16–16(b)  The proprietor’s fire risk assessment and fire safety audits do not pay sufficient close attention to the school site specifically. They are too generic, covering more than one site, and have not been updated to take account of the changing use of the site upon which it is proposed to open a school.  Other risk assessments share these shortcomings. Many of them are not specific to the school site or the way it will be used by the proposed new school.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 13  The school has a written first aid policy and first aid kits are clearly evident around the site. Leaders have a system in place to record any accidents and when any first aid is used. Paragraph 15  Leaders have established clear systems to maintain attendance and admission registers.  Overall, the standards in this part are unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(b), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(ii), 21(1), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(b)  Leaders have weak understanding of some of the pre-employment checks required for staff wishing to work in a school. They were unaware that teachers must be checked to see if they are the subject of a prohibition order. Similarly, they were unaware that members of staff in a management position require a check to see if they are subject to a direction made under section 128 of the Education Act 2008.  This lack of understanding of some aspects of safer recruiting is an illustration that leaders do not have secure knowledge of the safeguarding guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Paragraph 18(2)(a), 18(2)(c)–18(2)(f), 18(3), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(b)–20(6)(c), 21(2), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iv)–21(3)(a)(viii), 21(4), 21(6)–21(7)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have established a system to make all the other necessary pre-employment checks and to record them on a single central register. Paragraph 19(1)–19(3), 21(5)–21(5)(c)  The school will not use any supply staff.  The standards in this part are unlikely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)– 23(1)(c), 28(1)–28(2)(b)  In tune with its ethos and commitment to outdoor education, pupils will use composting toilets. These are in separate, lockable cubicles, exclusively for the use of pupils. Appropriate washing facilities will be available, with hot and cold running water.  Cold water sources that are suitable for drinking are clearly labelled as such. Paragraph 24(1)–24(2)  School leaders have arranged for suitable accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils. A number of locations are available for this, according to need. Paragraph 25, 26, 27–27(b), 29(1)–29(1)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The school will be based in extensive woodland, sharing the site with the proprietor’s separately registered early years provision. The site is well organised and a great deal of thought has gone into making it secure. Pupils’ movement around the site will be well controlled, for example.  Outdoor classrooms are suitable for their intended purposes and lighting is flexible enough to meet the needs of pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)–32(4)(c)  Leaders have arrangements in place to provide parents and other relevant parties with the information required by the standard in this paragraph. As far as parents are concerned, this will chiefly be through the school’s website, which is already up and running.  The standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33(a), 33(b), 33(d), 33(e)  The school has a written complaints procedure, which is available to parents on the school’s website. It allows for a complaint to be considered informally in the first instance and establishes a formal procedure if the matter is not resolved at this stage. Paragraph 33, 33(c), 33(f)–33(k)  The procedure does not establish clear timescales for the management of all stages of a complaint.  The procedure does not make adequate provision for dealing with a complaint should a parent be dissatisfied with the initial outcome of any written complaint. The procedure does not make provision for a hearing before a panel of at least three people not involved in the matters relating to the complaint, with one independent member.  The procedure does not make clear the arrangements for keeping records relating to individual complaints confidential, except in certain specific circumstances.

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Main inspection findings

 The standard in this part is unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The proprietor has not ensured that the independent school standards and other related requirements are likely to be consistently met when the school opens. Some of the standards that are unlikely to be met have an impact on the safety, welfare and well-being of pupils.  The main, underlying reason for the judgement that the school is unlikely to meet all the independent school standards when it opens is that school leaders do not have sufficiently developed knowledge of how to run a school. While they are successful operators of a number of early years settings, they are not aware enough that the statutory requirements placed on the proprietors of a school are different. For example, leaders have a poor understanding of safeguarding in the context of a school and of the planning needed to establish a successful curriculum.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders are committed to providing education based around their ethos of placing ‘outdoor learning and forest school at the heart of everything we do’. They have yet to translate this vision, however, into ensuring that the independent school standards are likely to be met consistently.  The standard in this part is unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor has not drawn up an accessibility plan and the school is, therefore, unlikely to meet the requirements of paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equality Act.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

Email address office@woodlandadventurers.org

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Age range of pupils Not applicable 5–7 5–7 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 40 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable To be confirmed

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable To be confirmed

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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 Not applicable To be confirmed

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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 Not applicable To be confirmed

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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Information about this proposed school

 The Outdoor School is based outside Box in Wiltshire. It is situated in extensive woodland. It shares the site with the proprietor’s separately registered early years settings. This early years setting was judged outstanding at its most recent inspection in September 2017.  The school will have a clear ethos of outdoor education. Leaders believe that pupils are happiest and learn most effectively when outside.  The school will cater for pupils aged five to seven, who will follow the national curriculum for key stage 1. Leaders anticipate that the great majority of pupils will join the school from the proprietor’s early years setting.  In its first year of operation, leaders anticipate a small number of pupils. The site is suitable, however, for the proposed upper limit of 40 pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 This pre-registration inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in order to assess the school’s readiness to open. This was done by checking whether it is likely to meet the independent school standards should it be registered.  This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  Inspectors held discussions with the proprietors, examined the school’s application and looked at other documents provided by the school. They undertook a tour of the premises and grounds of the proposed school.

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Inspection team

Stephen Lee, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) 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 – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(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; – 2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills; – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which-

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(d)(i) reflects the school’s aim and ethos; and – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act[9]; – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; and – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(b) fosters in pupils self-motivation, the application of intellectual, physical and creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) 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 – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 18(2)(b) 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;  20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual (“MB”), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, if- – 20(6)(a) MB- – 20(6)(a)(ii) does not carry out work, or intend 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

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

disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction;  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is- – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff (“S”) appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether- – 21(3)(a)(iii) 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; – 21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff (“S”), whether a check was made to establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

 33 The standard about the manner in which complaints are handled is met if the proprietor ensures that a complaints procedure is drawn up and effectively implemented which deals with the handling of complaints from parents of pupils and which- – 33(c) sets out clear time scales for the management of a complaint; – 33(f) where the parent is not satisfied with the response to the complaint made in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), makes provision for a hearing before a panel appointed by or on behalf of the proprietor and consisting of at least three people who were not directly involved in the matters detailed in the complaint; – 33(g) ensures that, where there is a panel hearing of a complaint, one panel member is independent of the management and running of the school; – 33(h) allows for a parent to attend and be accompanied at a panel hearing if they wish; – 33(i) provides for the panel to make findings and recommendations and stipulates

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

that a copy of those findings and recommendations is- – 33(i)(i) provided to the complainant and, where relevant, the person complained about; and – 33(i)(ii) available for inspection on the school premises by the proprietor and the head teacher; – 33(j) provides for a written record to be kept of all complaints that are made in accordance with sub-paragraph (e) and- – 33(j)(i) whether they are resolved following a formal procedure, or proceed to a panel hearing; and – 33(j)(ii) action taken by the school as a result of those complaints (regardless of whether they are upheld); and – 33(k) provides that correspondence, statements and records relating to individual complaints are to be kept confidential except where the Secretary of State or a body conducting an inspection under section 109 of the 2008 Act requests access to them.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) 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- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

 Arrangements to meet the requirements of paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equality Act. 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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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