Cross Keys Learning

School pre-registration inspection report

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KMS Suite 1 the Lead Centre, Dane Valley Road, St Peter’s, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 3JJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 1 and 2  The curriculum will be delivered in line with the curriculum policy submitted with the registration application. Because of the small numbers of pupils attending the school, the curriculum will be tailored to individual pupils’ needs, but will have adequate breadth and balance.  Written schemes and plans provide a clear insight into the way the curriculum will be delivered. They take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of pupils at the school. All pupils who will attend the school will have an education, health and care plan, which will inform curriculum planning for each individual pupil.  There is appropriate provision for personal, social, health and economic education within the curriculum. This includes activities that encourage tolerance and respect for other people and aims to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain.  All pupils will receive appropriate careers education and guidance in partnership with

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Main inspection findings

a local college. Opportunities for work experience and trips to careers fairs are already planned. Paragraphs 3 and 4  The school’s assessment procedure sets out how teachers will assess pupils’ learning across the curriculum, including in mathematics and English. Suitable baseline checks will be carried out on entry. Each pupil will have a profile which will contain key information, including information provided from previous settings or other professionals. Leaders were able to demonstrate their system to track pupils’ progress across a range of subjects, not just in mathematics and English.  Systems to gather information about pupils’ social and emotional development are also ready to be set in motion. School leaders will use this information, as well as pupils’ academic progress, to monitor pupils’ outcomes closely. This information will be used to provide parents and other professionals with regular updates on the

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Main inspection findings

progress of pupils over time.  Teaching will enable pupils to acquire new knowledge and make progress according to their ability. Leaders expect staff to have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and engagement in learning. They acknowledge that this is especially important when the context of pupils’ needs is taken into account.  School leaders have a clear vision of the values that underpin the school’s culture. These ensure that discrimination of any kind is not tolerated and that fundamental British values are promoted.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  Leaders intend to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through the curriculum and through a range of extra-curricular activities. Focused events such as anti-bullying week or mental-health week are already planned. Curriculum plans ensure that pupils will learn about British values and actively promote the development of pupils’ self-esteem and sense of self-worth.  Although the school is not yet open, leaders are able to articulate a clear sense of the proposed school’s ethos. Activities that develop pupils’ confidence are very much part of the curriculum. Opportunities for pupils to take ownership of learning are inbuilt, as are activities that will promote tolerance and respect of the cultures, faiths and beliefs of others.  Leaders are able to give clear examples of activities and events that will ensure that

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Main inspection findings

pupils understand equalities and diversity. Celebrating difference will be at the heart of the day-to-day life at the school.  Leaders have set high expectations in the staff code of conduct. These include ensuring that pupils are not exposed to partisan political or religious opinions.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 6 and 7  The school’s policies, written guidance and procedures to ensure the welfare, health and safety of pupils are sound.  Key staff have already undertaken safeguarding training at levels appropriate to their levels of responsibility. This includes local authority training for the school’s designated safeguarding leads. Induction training for new staff is sound. This includes safeguarding training and additional training to ensure that staff are aware of the school’s policies and procedures to keep children safe.  The safeguarding policy is available on the school’s website and follows current guidelines. Leaders are aware of the September 2018 update of ‘Keeping children safe in education’ and the implications for updating their safeguarding policy in light of this. Paragraphs 9 and 10  The behaviour policy is suitable for the ages and likely needs of the pupils to be

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Main inspection findings

admitted to the school. The anti-bullying policy is also appropriate. The behaviour policy sets out clear aims and sanctions for poor behaviour. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16  Leaders have set out a clear policy to comply with relevant health and safety legislation. The premises provide a safe and well-maintained environment for pupils to learn in. All necessary checks of facilities, equipment and procedures for fire safety are in place already. This includes fire-warden training for key members of staff. The first aid policy is suitable and makes provision for effective first aid.  Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure that the admissions register contains all of the essential information about pupils’ circumstances. Plans for the effective supervision of pupils are in place, along with high expectations for pupils’ attendance.  The school’s risk assessment policy is in place. Some risk assessments are already in

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Main inspection findings

place. These include appropriate actions to reduce risk. Others will follow as the school opens.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21  Leaders know about the checks that need to be made on all adults working with children in regulated activities. These include all the required verifications, such as medical fitness and qualification checks. They were able to explain clearly the processes they have in place to recruit staff, including the most recently appointed member of the teaching staff. The proprietors, who will be the head of school and operations manager when the school opens, have undergone suitable training regarding the recruitment of staff. It is not intended to use staff from supply agencies at the school.  The single central record of staff checks is already established, is sound and is administered competently. All new staff will have appropriate checks to ensure their suitability to work with children.  Suitable checks have already been carried out on the proprietors. The school will not

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Main inspection findings

operate with a board of directors, trustees or governors when it first opens.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 31  The school will be situated in suitable accommodation in a building adjacent to a small business park. The accommodation has been used by the joint proprietors in connection with another business prior to the application for the proposed school. The proprietor has recently expanded the original accommodation by purchasing an adjacent dance studio and associated offices, toilet and washing facilities. These new premises have been converted into classrooms, offices and communal areas, including a kitchen. At the time of the inspection, finishing touches were being made to the décor of the building.  Suitable outdoor space is available to enable physical education and for pupils to play. It is intended to use two different local sports centres for physical education and sports, as well as a local swimming pool. Pupils will also have access to a local park

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Main inspection findings

for recreation and play, as well as access to two small areas adjacent to the school which are owned by the proprietor.  The lighting, space, heating and acoustics are suitable for the pupils likely to be at the school. There is sufficient external lighting to ensure safe passage in the dark.  There are sufficient toilets and washing facilities for pupils and staff. All facilities have sufficient water supplies and the temperature of hot water is regulated appropriately. Drinking water is available and labelled as such.  There is allocated accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils, as well as the short-term care of those who are sick or injured. This room includes a washing facility and is near a toilet. At the time of the inspection this room was yet to be furnished.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32  Leaders are aware of the requirement to provide specified information to local authorities. They also know that they need to publish certain reports and other information as necessary on their website, particularly information required by parents. The school plans to provide regular written reports to parents.  The school’s current website is part of the KMS generic website, but is about to be released as a stand-alone school website. The website will include all of the required information, such as policies, contact details and information about the school’s education provision. This will include the school’s safeguarding policy, which is currently available on the KMS generic website and follows current guidelines.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33  The complaints policy is published on the school’s current website. It sets out clear timescales for the management of a complaint. There is provision for formal complaints to be heard by a panel of at least three people who have not been directly involved in the complaint. The policy rightly stipulates that one of the members of the panel must be independent of the management and running of the school. It also states that parents have the right to be accompanied at a panel hearing if they wish. The policy makes clear that any findings of a panel must be available to a complainant and, where relevant, the person complained about.  Leaders plan to keep any copies of complaints confidentially and available for inspection on the school premises.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  Leaders can demonstrate sufficient understanding of the requirements within the independent school standards. They have ensured that the school is likely to meet all of these standards when it opens and are committed to ensuring that the requirements continue to be met. This includes actively promoting pupils’ welfare.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have compiled a suitable accessibility plan to improve access to the premises. The school is likely to meet 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

Proprietor Sharon Mount and Stephen Fuller

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Proposed school details

Headteacher Sharon Mount (head of school)

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Proposed school details

Email address sharon.mount@kentmentorsupport.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11−16 11−16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 10 10

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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 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 10

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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 10

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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 10

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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 1

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school will be situated on a small business park on the outskirts of Broadstairs, Kent. It is not intended to use any alternative provision in the first instance.  The proposed school will provide for pupils in the age range 11 to 16 years who have behavioural, emotional and social development needs. The school will also provide for pupils who have autism spectrum disorder.  The proposed school will provide for pupils who have an education, health and care plan, who have been placed by local authorities.  The school will not have a specific religious character.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first pre-registration inspection prior to the school opening. The inspection focused on compliance with the regulatory requirements of the independent school standards, safeguarding procedures and schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  The inspector carried out a range of activities in order to check whether the school is likely to meet the independent school standards and other requirements. The inspector met with the joint proprietors (who will carry out the different roles of head of school and of operations manager) and one teacher who has already been appointed. The inspector toured the proposed school’s premises. The inspector reviewed a wide range of documents, including safeguarding information, policies, curriculum information and proposed procedures to assess pupils’ learning.

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Inspection team

Clive Close, 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.

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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

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

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