Edstart

School material change inspection report

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders are fully aware of statutory guidance. They have put in place all the necessary arrangements to ensure the safeguarding of pupils and to promote the welfare of pupils at the school.  Leaders have a suitable safeguarding policy in place which is up to date, reviewed regularly and meets all current statutory requirements. Leaders are already preparing an updated policy to take into account the 2018 changes to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ due to take effect from September 2018.  There is a designated safeguarding lead at each school site. All new staff receive appropriate induction, safeguarding training and regular updates on areas such as radicalisation and extremism, female genital mutilation, sexting and e-safety. Records of training are appropriate and thorough. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Leaders have a health and safety policy that is tailored to the three existing school

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Main inspection findings

premises and the new proposed site. It complies with all relevant laws. Existing premises have regular fire safety checks and the proprietors ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It is likely that a similar meticulous standard will be applied to the proposed site.  Leaders provided the inspector with an array of policies that have been implemented at the Salford site and will be in place at the Bury site when it opens. These include first aid, fire safety, e-safety, and information sharing. All policies reflect recent developments and meet statutory requirements.  A risk assessment policy is in place. Detailed risk assessments exist for all educational and extra-curricular activities. Leaders use their risk assessments well to identify hazards and to plan and take appropriate actions to mitigate potential risks. Leaders create individual pupil risk assessments as and when appropriate for pupils within

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Main inspection findings

their existing sites and intend to continue to do so in the proposed Bury site.  The security and safety of pupils have been considered as part of the plans for the building refurbishments. For example, closed-circuit television recording is in operation around the school building.  Leaders have made arrangements to ensure that the school’s computer network will be filtered to ensure pupils’ safety when they are online. Paragraph 14  Pupils will be supervised at all times, including at breaktimes, before school and on leaving the premises.  The school is likely to meet these standards in relation to increasing pupil numbers at the Salford site and opening new premises in Bury for 20 pupils.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors (pertaining to Salford site) Paragraphs 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), 21(7)(b)  The single central record is already in place for all three existing school sites and the proposed site. The required checks prescribed in this part of the independent school

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Main inspection findings

standards have been undertaken on all staff already appointed. This includes all members of the proprietorship and the governance of the school.  Leaders have completed training to ensure that they only appoint staff who are suitable to work in a school. Appropriate recruitment and selection procedures include suitable activities to thoroughly check applicants’ understanding of safeguarding.  The school currently does not intend to use supply teachers. However, leaders are aware of the requirements for checking such staff should this situation change.  Leaders are clear about their responsibility for vetting volunteers who might work with pupils.  Leaders are likely to meet these standards in relation to all staff appointed to accommodate the proposed increased pupil numbers at the Salford site and the proposed Bury site.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  The existing Salford site is leased to the school by the local diocese. It is a large three-storey building. The school occupies the ground and first floors. The top floor accommodates the company’s administration. The proposed school site is leased by the local authority and located in the centre of Bury. At the time of inspection, leaders had just acquired the building and refurbishment had only just begun. However, the building had formerly been used as an educational facility, housing ‘Connexions Bury’, and so retains many of the appropriate features required to meet accommodation standards. Both sites comprise a suite of teaching rooms, as well as toilets, changing facilities, a shower, a medical room, and break-out spaces for indoor recreation. The

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Main inspection findings

Salford site is clean, well furbished, warm and conducive to learning. It is likely that the Bury site will be of a similar high standard.  At the Salford site, there are suitable toilet facilities for the sole use of pupils, including a designated disabled toilet. All toilets can be secured from the inside and there is running hot and cold water. The hot water is of an appropriate temperature. At the Bury site, architectural plans drawn up for the refurbishment indicate that similarly appropriate toilet facilities will be available for pupils. Leaders are fully aware of the requirements within this standard. This includes the provision of both cold and appropriately hot running water and the securing of toilets from the inside.  At the Salford site, pupils have access to bottled water at all times. Leader are exploring offering access to a drinking water cooler machine throughout the day, particularly at the Bury site.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  A medical room has been set aside at both sites. There are suitable washing facilities and access to a toilet. A bed with blanket, sheet and pillow are easily accessible. There is a first aid kit located in the medical room. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  Accommodation throughout both sites is of a good standard and meets all requirements for health, safety and the welfare of pupils, including suitable acoustics and lighting. All teaching rooms have a good source of natural light. The exterior and interior lighting is of a similar good standard. The existing and proposed sites have a security system in place, and rooms and facilities are secure and only accessible with a security key fob. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  Pupils at the Salford site have access to appropriate outdoor space that is secure and will allow them to enjoy the fresh air and to play when not in lessons. There is access

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Main inspection findings

to a good-sized outdoor space for recreation, and to undertake physical education (PE) in accordance with school curriculum requirements. Pupils also attend the local leisure centre twice a week. There is no outdoor space at the Bury site as it is located in the city centre. However, leaders are mindful of this and intend to regularly use two public garden areas situated within approximately 100 yards of the school site. Pupils will also have access to the local leisure centre at least twice a week as part of their PE curriculum requirements.  All of the standards in this part are met at the Salford site and are likely to be met when the proposed school site opens. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The proprietors have a website that provides information about all the provision within the organisation, including the proposed school site. It is well presented and contains a range of useful information for parents and carers. The required information in

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Main inspection findings

relation to the safeguarding of pupils is published on the school section of the website.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met when the proposed school site opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Leaders demonstrate the knowledge and experience needed to increase the pupil capacity at the Salford site and additionally open a new school site. They are well organised and have worked effectively and with understanding to make ready the new site and prepare the existing site for an increase in pupil numbers.  Leaders are likely to fulfil their responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils.  The quality of their leadership is reflected in ensuring that all of the independent school standards are likely to be consistently met when the existing school site increases its numbers and the proposed new school site opens.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The policy for equalities is clear about how leaders will monitor and support the range of different protected characteristics, including disability. It is also threaded through a range of policies and is central to the school’s personal, social, health and cultural education curriculum.  Equality of opportunity is a prominent feature of the values of this school.  Leaders have ensured that there is an accessibility policy in place for all existing and proposed school sites.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 8–9 March 2016

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 13 to 16 13 to 16 13 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 60 90 90

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 28 90

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities 28 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 6 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 6 8

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Information about this school

 EdStart is an independent day school which provides alternative provision for boys and girls aged between 13 and 16.  The school provides full-time education for pupils who have previously had significant difficulties with their behaviour in school and were at risk of permanent exclusion. At the time of the inspection, there were 28 pupils on roll. This number typically increases considerably during the academic year.  Nearly all pupils have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities, mainly social, emotional and mental health issues.  Pupils are likely to have an education, health and care plan.  The proportion of disadvantaged pupils known to be in receipt of pupil premium funding in their referring schools is above average.  The school’s main site is located in Salford, where there is currently provision for 25 Year 9 to 11 pupils. There are two additional sites: one in Wythenshawe, on the

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Information about this school

outskirts of Manchester, with provision for 20 Year 10 and 11 pupils; and one in Bolton for 15 Year 9 to 11 pupils. The school proposes to open a fourth site in Bury for 20 Year 9 to 11 pupils. No pupils travel between sites.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in March 2016. It was judged to be providing a good quality of education and met all the independent school regulations.  The school’s previous request to add the Bolton site with provision for up to 15 pupils was confirmed by the Department for Education in writing in May 2016.  The school does not use alternative providers.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned in relation to the school’s request to increase the admission numbers at its Salford site from 25 to 35 pupils and open a new school site in Bury with provision for up to 20 pupils.  This inspection was the first material change inspection concerning these proposed changes.  During the inspection, documents and policies were scrutinised, including documents relating to safeguarding. A visit was made to the new site in Bury. A tour was made of this proposed accommodation, as well as the existing accommodation in Salford. Discussions were held with the headteacher, who is also a joint proprietor of the school and director of EdStart.

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Inspection team

Sue Eastwood, 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

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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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