St Paul's School

School material change inspection report

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St Paul’s School 73 Hertford Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham B12 8NJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j) and 4  The proprietor has ensured that the established curriculum policy and supporting schemes of work consider the ages, aptitudes and special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities of all pupils. Leaders and staff have developed an appropriate curriculum outline for key stage 2, which builds upon the current policy and covers all the required areas of learning.  The proprietor employs suitably qualified staff for the current provision. There are plans in place to appoint additional staff who have experience of delivering the primary curriculum before key stage 2 pupils join the school. It was not possible to observe teaching during this inspection.  There is an established framework in place to track, record and evaluate pupils’

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Main inspection findings

progress. This system will be adapted to be used in the key stage 2 provision.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements for this standard.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii) and 5(d)(iii)  Leaders, staff and the proprietor provide many opportunities for current pupils to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. Plans are in place to ensure that the proposed key stage 2 curriculum is enriched by experiences that nurture spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness.  Fundamental British values of respect, the rule of law, individual liberty and tolerance are delivered effectively through the current curriculum. Leaders are aware that helping to prepare all pupils for life in modern Britain is a key part of their role.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements for this standard.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 6, 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The school has published an appropriate safeguarding policy which is fit for purpose and reflects current guidance from the Secretary of State. Arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of current pupils will be extended to meet the requirements of key stage 2 pupils in the additional building.  The school’s single central record meets requirements. Appropriate checks have been carried out on all staff who work at the school. The school follows safer recruitment processes and has several key policies, including a whistle-blowing policy, to help to keep pupils safe.  The proprietor has ensured that health and safety requirements are met on the current site. Checks on the building are routinely carried out to ensure that it is a safe environment. The proprietor has plans in place to ensure that the new site will meet

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Main inspection findings

all the health and safety requirements before it opens.  There is a suitable fire risk assessment in place. The proprietor has ensured that firefighting equipment is routinely tested and that appropriate records are maintained. Emergency exits are clearly labelled and the new site has emergency lighting.  The school has a detailed risk assessment policy. Risks and hazards are identified and appropriate action is taken to ensure that risks are minimised.  Since the last inspection, the proprietor has ensured that an admissions and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 (paragraph 15). The register will also be used for key stage 2 pupils.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements for this standard.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 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(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) and 21(7)(b)  The school’s single central record demonstrates that all appropriate checks have been carried out on staff who currently work at the school.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements for this standard.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  Key stage 2 pupils will be educated in a separate building from older pupils. Plans indicate that there will be sufficient classrooms and learning spaces to accommodate the number of pupils that the school will admit.  Rooms are well lit and suitable for the activities planned to take place within them. The facilities are well maintained at a comfortable temperature. The acoustic conditions and sound insulation of the rooms are appropriate.  Suitable toilet and washing facilities will be provided for the sole use of pupils. The toilet facilities are appropriate for the number of additional pupils the school plans to admit. Toilets have a suitable supply of hot and cold water.

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Main inspection findings

 Drinking water is available. It will be clearly labelled when the additional site opens to pupils.  Plans to ensure that the new site has suitable accommodation to care for the short- term medical needs of pupils are in the early stages. Leaders know that this accommodation must have a washing facility and be situated near to a toilet.  The school will provide appropriate outdoor space. Pupils will have the opportunity to play outside and access the farm and sporting facilities that current pupils enjoy. Staff will accompany pupils when they engage in off-site activities.  External lighting is already in place to ensure safe entry and exit from the school in hours of darkness.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements for this standard.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1), 32(1)(i) and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that a suitable safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. Paper copies of the policy are available from the school upon request.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements for this standard. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders and managers demonstrate appropriate skills and knowledge to ensure that the independent school standards are met. They have taken effective action to address the unmet standards identified at the time of the last inspection.  The proprietor has a clear vision for the expansion of the school. The plans for the additional building take account of the SEN and/or disabilities of the pupils.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements for this standard.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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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.

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor St Paul’s Community Development Trust

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £18,916 or 23,584

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School details

Email address administration@stpaulstrust.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6–8 June 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 19 7 to 19 7 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 30 55 55

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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 30 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 30 55

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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 30 55

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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 30 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 13 19

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Information about this school

 St Paul’s is an independent day school that provides full-time education for pupils aged between 10 and 19.  There are currently 30 pupils on roll. All pupils have an education, health and care plan and most pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs. The vast majority of pupils are funded by Birmingham local authority.  The school is part of the St Paul’s Community Development Trust. The trust has a children’s centre, a nursery provider and out-of-school provision on one site, and other nursery providers in the locality. These are all inspected separately.  The school’s last full inspection was in June 2017, when all aspects were judged to require improvement. The school did not meet all the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 and associated requirements. The proprietor had not ensured that an admissions and attendance register was maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration)

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Information about this school

(England) Regulations 2006 (paragraph 15) or that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school demonstrated good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role and fulfil their responsibilities effectively, so that the independent school standards were met consistently (paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)).  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  To help to meet the need for primary provision in the local area, the trust has made the request to the Department for Education (DfE) for additional places for key stage 2 pupils to be accommodated in a building where the trust’s offices are currently situated.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first material change inspection of St Paul’s.  The proprietor proposes a material change to extend the school’s age range to include key stage 2 pupils accommodated in additional premises.  The original proposal indicated that the material change would take place in September 2018. However, leaders are now planning to open the additional premises for key stage 2 pupils in November 2018.  The trust has submitted a plan to the DfE, the registration authority. The DfE asked Ofsted to inspect the proposals against the independent school standards paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 14, 16, all of Part 4 and Part 5, to check the school’s safeguarding policy and implementation (Part 3) and to check that the safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website or otherwise made available (Part 6).  The inspector met with the chief executive officer, the headteacher and the chair of the governing body.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector toured the additional premises of the school and made a brief visit to the trust’s farm.  The inspector reviewed policies, including the safeguarding, curriculum and assessment policies. Key health and safety documentation was considered, including fire safety records, building checks and risk assessments. The school’s website was examined.  A range of documents were analysed, including plans to develop the current building, teaching, learning and curriculum outlines, the attendance and admissions register and current methods of recording pupils’ assessment information.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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