APTCOO - A Place to Call Our Own

School pre-registration inspection report

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APTCOO – A Place To Call Our Own Unit 15 Botany Commercial Park, Botany Avenue, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 5NF

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs in Part 1 of the Standards The school is likely to meet all standards in this part.  The school’s curriculum policy includes a summary aim: ‘to improve the quality of life for children, young people and their families living with special educational needs and disability’. The structure of the curriculum is highly personalised to fulfil this aim.  The proprietor has prepared outline plans and schemes of work based on a thematic approach to learning. These planning documents integrate learning experiences and activities from each of the required areas of learning. The schemes of work have been designed to meet the learning needs of pupils at the highest levels of need. Most pupils will require an individualised curriculum responsive to their education, health and care plans.  The school’s curriculum plans combine attention to the cognitive development of

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Main inspection findings

pupils and to activities that address their social and emotional needs. Themes within the curriculum combine planning for national curriculum core and foundation subjects, together with thinking skills, problem-solving and creative development. Aspects of personal, social and health education, and citizenship are built into most curriculum themes.  The thematic approach is supported by planning for literacy and communication, mathematics and numeracy. Pupils will have the opportunity to prepare for external accreditations suited to their stages of learning. The majority of pupils will be working below age-related expectations as a result of time out of education or trauma and mental health barriers.  The school will use the services of an off-site alternative provider to contribute to vocational and work-related courses for pupils at key stage 4 as well as post-16 students.  The proprietor has prepared a policy and arrangements for careers information and

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Main inspection findings

guidance. These arrangements include a contribution from independent advisers, who are external to the school. Older pupils and post-16 students will be provided with opportunities for individualised work experience during their transition years.  The school’s assessment policy is based on ‘distance travelled’ from pupils’ entry baselines. This will be assessed against criteria related to pupils’ individual barriers to learning, including their individual behaviours of concern. The policy and procedures include criteria for assessing progress, contributing to a team consensus on progress achieved.  This approach will operate alongside the assessment of progress in English and mathematics, based on a curriculum that builds up learning progressively in these core subjects.  The school’s curriculum planning, together with the quality of pupils’ engagement and achievement observed during this inspection, indicates that the school is likely to

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Main inspection findings

meet the regulatory requirements for effective teaching and learning.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs in Part 2 of the Standards. The school is likely to meet all standards in this part.  The requirements for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils are met through the school’s values and the planned curriculum.  The curriculum and support arrangements for individual pupils focus strongly on developing personal and social skills. Themes and activities within the planned curriculum include self-awareness, managing feelings, motivation, empathy and social skills. The school is committed to the holistic development of each pupil.  The school’s curriculum documentation includes examples of themes related to developing relationships, British values, literacy stories about bullying and the impact of homelessness within the curriculum.  Aspects of citizenship which relate to the requirements of Part 2 of the independent

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Main inspection findings

school standards are included within the curriculum. Examples within curriculum plans include Armistice Day, celebration of festivals from various cultures, supporting charitable events, visits to the Museum of Nottingham Life and the local history of mining.  Pupils will have the opportunity to study a theme on respecting diversity and the right to believe in what we choose. The staff code of conduct makes clear that where political issues are brought to the attention of pupils, they must be offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs in Part 3 of the Standards. The school is likely to meet all standards in this part.  The proprietor has prepared a suitable safeguarding policy, which has regard to the latest government guidance and to the requirements of the local safeguarding children’s board. This policy is available to parents as a download from the school’s website.  The safeguarding policy includes contact details for the designated safeguarding lead and the link governor. It provides the required information for staff to fulfil their responsibilities, and includes contact details for external support agencies, which also includes the designated officer of the local authority. Staff training in safeguarding will be provided regularly, and at least annually.  The proprietor has produced suitable policies and procedures for managing behaviour, including details of rewards and sanctions, the prevention of bullying, and safe

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Main inspection findings

restraint.  Additional policies set out the school’s arrangements for health and safety, fire safety and first aid. Suitable arrangements have been established for the recording of routine checks on all aspects of fire safety. The proprietor maintains suitable records of fire evacuations, checks on safety equipment and the training of staff. The proprietor has also produced a suitable fire risk assessment for the premises.  The proprietor has prepared suitable registers to record admissions and attendance, and for the recording and reporting of serious incidents, accidents and complaints.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs in Part 4 of the Standards. The school is likely to meet all standards in this part.  The proprietor has produced a suitable recruitment policy, which includes requirements for statutory checks on all staff. This has been implemented appropriately as staff have been appointed. Details of all required checks on staff, the proprietor and trustees, are entered on to a single central register.  The school does not plan to appoint supply staff through an agency.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs in Part 5 of the Standards. The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.  The premises consist of several teaching rooms arranged around a large central hall, which are all on the ground floor. The school proposes to teach pupils mostly in groups of one or two pupils, although the teaching rooms are large enough to accommodate larger groups. There are sufficient teaching spaces to accommodate the proposed maximum of 20 pupils.  There are sufficient teaching spaces to cater for the range of subjects on the curriculum, including a kitchen to be used for food technology lessons. Adjacent to the kitchen is a café available for use by pupils. Additional rooms are equipped as a sensory room and an art and design room.  The premises are completely secure from outside intrusion. The front door is controlled from the internal reception area by an electronic lock. All areas of the

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Main inspection findings

premises and teaching accommodation meet the requirements related to acoustics and lighting, including external lighting. The premises are maintained and decorated to a good standard.  There is a fully fenced and secure outside area with sufficient space for pupils to play safely and for group games and physical education. This external area also includes an area for horticulture and a sensory garden.  The proprietor has created a medical room equipped with a bed and a washbasin, which is near to pupils’ toilets. There are sufficient separate toilets for pupils and staff, including a disabled toilet.  The proprietor has recently installed a shower and a changing bench within this room. This will be adequate to meet the needs of the small number of pupils engaged in physical education at any time.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs in Part 6 of the standards. The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.  All the required information, including copies of school policies, is available to parents through the school website.  Senior leaders understand their responsibilities to provide access to a copy of the school’s Ofsted inspection report following a future inspection, and to provide an annual account of income and expenditure to placing authorities and schools.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs in Part 7 of the Standards. The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.  The school has produced a policy and associated procedures to manage any complaints in line with the requirements of the independent school standards. This information is available to parents through the school website.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs in Part 8 of the Standards. The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.  The school has a governing body which has assisted with the preparation for registration as an independent school. The governing body includes members with a wide range of experience and expertise suitable to support and challenge school leaders and staff.  The governors and senior leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school is likely to fulfil its responsibilities under Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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.

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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

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £81.20 to £243.75 per day.

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not applicable

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age 9 Number of pupils of compulsory school age for whom a statement is maintained under section 324, or who is looked after by a local authority Total hours operating as a school per week 35

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 2 to 16 hours

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5  19 5  19 5  19 Number of pupils on the school roll 9 20 20

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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 0 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 9 20

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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 9 20

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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 9 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 0 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 10 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision N/A N/A

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Information about this proposed school

 APTCOO is currently an alternative provision that provides part-time education for nine pupils in the age range five to 19 years. It is located in Mansfield in Nottinghamshire.  APTCOO is currently operating, but it does not meet the definition of an independent school.  APTCOO is seeking registration as independent school. It proposes to provide part- and full-time education for pupils and students with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, autistic spectrum disorders, physical disabilities, and complex learning and communication needs.  The school proposes to use the services of an alternative provider, ‘Learn, Work and Earn Centre’, to contribute to the education and vocational training for pupils at key stage 4 and for post-16 students.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector met with the proprietor, who also manages the current APTCOO alternative provision. He met with the chair and additional members of the governing body. He also held discussions with additional members of staff, including the senior administrator.  The inspector toured the premises and accommodation, including teaching spaces occupied by the small number of pupils in attendance at the time of the visit.  The inspector scrutinised several school policies, procedures and records to check the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards. He discussed aspects of policy implementation with the proprietor.

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Inspection team

David Young, 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 looked after children, 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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