Promised Land Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Promised Land Academy St Cedd’s Hall, Webb Gardens, Plaistow, London E13 8SR

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b) and 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii) and 2(2)(h)  At the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that staff have the necessary skills to teach and support pupils in the ‘afternoon subjects’, such as the arts, music, technology and languages.  Leaders have taken effective action to broaden and strengthen the curriculum, and have ensured that improved curriculum plans have been introduced. Pupils’ current work demonstrates that this is having a positive impact on their learning. The increased subject knowledge of teaching staff means that pupils are able to consider aspects of subjects they study in greater depth.  However, intended outcomes for learning in some curriculum plans are too vague to enable teachers to check on pupils’ progress from their different starting points.  Other programmes of study for subjects, such as science and music, are kept by the

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Main inspection findings

voluntary or coaching staff who teach the lessons. Leaders do not know how effectively these schemes are implemented. They cannot make sure that the curriculum is taking sufficient account of the aptitudes and needs of all pupils. As a result, this aspect of the standards remains unmet.  At the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that pupils were given enough guidance to make informed choices about courses they needed to realise their career aspirations.  Pupils now benefit from careers education, which is tailored to their needs and includes specialist advice from external providers. Older pupils speak positively about the impact of this on helping them prepare for their future lives. The standards related to careers guidance are now met. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f) and 3(g)  At the last inspection, pupils’ progress was too slow and variable, particularly in the ‘afternoon sessions’. Planned classroom activities did not take account of pupils’ prior

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Main inspection findings

attainment. They did not enable pupils to acquire sufficient depth of knowledge across a range of subjects. Arrangements for assessing pupils’ work were inconsistent.  The revisions to the curriculum have only recently been implemented. Learning goals remain too vague and generic to assist teachers in planning and checking pupils’ progress. Leaders do not know enough about how pupils’ progress across the range of subjects taught. These aspects of the standards therefore remain unmet.  At the time of the previous inspection, teachers’ subject knowledge was not secure across all areas of the curriculum. Classroom resources were limited, particularly in science and art.  Leaders have worked with teaching staff to develop a wider range of learning opportunities and improved resources. Some pupils’ work shows the positive impact of this. For example, pupils’ artwork demonstrates that a wider range of art materials are

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Main inspection findings

being used to support pupils’ learning. Pupils could tell the inspector about activities in science, which have been supported by a better range of resources and improved teachers’ subject knowledge. Pupils make better use of technology and research materials to develop their knowledge across a range of subjects. These aspects of the standards are now met. Paragraph 4  The regulating authority asked inspectors to check on the school’s compliance with this aspect of the standards.  Leaders ensure that the school’s expectations and intentions are clear in their assessment procedures, even though these remain of variable quality. This aspect of the standards is met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5,5(b) and 5(b)(v)  At the time of the last inspection, leaders had not ensured that pupils knew enough about how British society promotes equality, tolerance and respect for people of

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Main inspection findings

different faiths.  Leaders now ensure that pupils learn about religions other than their own, and check on how their knowledge is developing. Pupils are able to apply democratic processes to their experiences in school. They have been on visits outside of school. This includes a visit to the Houses of Parliament, where there was a specific focus on helping them to learn how law is made. As a result, pupils who spoke to the inspector had a secure understanding of how respect for others, including those with protected characteristics, is underpinned by the rule of law. Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part of the regulations are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 14, 15, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  At the last inspection, it was found that the school’s safeguarding policy was not published on the school’s website. The school’s vetting checks of the suitability of adults

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Main inspection findings

to work with pupils were considered to be inconsistent. The school’s health and safety procedures did not demonstrate compliance with statutory advice, and did not take seriously the consideration of risk to pupils’ safety. Pupils were not being properly supervised. The school’s admissions arrangements and register were not compliant with the Secretary of State’s requirements. The school’s risk assessments did not fully consider the possible risks to pupils either in school or during visits off-site.  The school’s safeguarding policy has been reviewed and is now on the website. Leaders have ensured that adults who work with pupils have been subject to the checks required by the standards, and record these clearly. Leaders have updated training on safeguarding to help them become familiar with recent changes to statutory guidance. The standards in paragraph 7 are now met.  The risk assessment policy has been reviewed and its implementation strengthened.

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Main inspection findings

Curriculum plans now include information about assessment of risk. Pupils’ records show how parents are asked about their child’s medical needs. Risk assessment for activities in and outside of school demonstrate that leaders are aware of potential risks, and show how they plan to reduce these. The risk assessment policy now meets the requirements of the standards.  The admissions register includes information about destinations of school leavers. It now meets the requirements of the standards.  Leaders have reviewed the health and safety policy. However, they told the inspector that they rely on their landlord to conduct a range of checks on the safety of the premises. There was insufficient documentary evidence available to demonstrate how leaders check the extent and quality of the safety of the premises. The policy is not fully implemented in practice. For example, written reports to the proprietor on safety

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Main inspection findings

mentioned in the policy were not available to see on inspection. The standard in Paragraph 11 remains unmet. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18, 18(2), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii) and 18(2)(c)(iv)  At the last inspection, it was found that the vetting of adults who work with pupils was inconsistent. References and identification checks were not routinely in place prior to adults working with pupils. Individuals who had not been vetted were occasionally left unsupervised with pupils.  The written record of checks on staff shows that all the required checks have been made on those listed. This includes adults employed to work with pupils on specific aspects of the curriculum. It also includes all adults on the premises on the day of the inspection. The standards in this part of the regulations are now met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 25, 28, 28(1)(c), 29(1) and 29(1)(b)  At the previous inspection, changing and showering facilities were not suitable. Leaders had not ensured that all the correct information on pupils’ medical needs had been collected. They had not ensured that the school’s premises were maintained to a high standard. There was no signage to identify if cold water was suitable for drinking. The testing of portable electronic equipment was out of date. The outdoor space for recreation and physical education was too limited.  Adequate, accessible drinking water is now available and labelled. Labels on electrical equipment indicate that portable appliances were tested shortly after the previous inspection. Pupils are taken to a park off-site for outdoor physical education, and the outdoor area in the school meets the requirements of the standards for outdoor recreation. Pupils’ records include reference to medical needs.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders told the inspector that a classroom is made available for pupils to change in, and that an arrangement has been reached with a local leisure centre for pupils to use their showers if they wish. However, these arrangements are not sufficient to reflect the arrangements for physical education. In practice, pupils usually go to a park with a sports coach for their lessons, and then return to school. Showering facilities for these occasions are not linked to changing facilities, and there is no plan for how showering can be incorporated into the routine following most physical education lessons. Current arrangements do not meet the requirements of the standard.  The medical accommodation does not include a suitable washing facility. Therefore the requirements of the standards are not met.  Leaders do not implement the health and safety policy effectively enough. They do not hold those responsible for the safety of the premises to account for necessary checks

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Main inspection findings

being completed effectively. Procedures to ensure that this takes place are outlined in the written policy, but records to evidence that these checks have been carried out were not available. The standard in paragraph 25 remains unmet. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(a), 32(1)(b) and 32(1)(c), 32(2), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(i), 32(3), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(c), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e) and 32(3)(f)  At the time of the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that all the required information was published on the school’s website.  Leaders have ensured that the information required by the standards is now available on the website. The standards in this part are now met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33 and 33(b)  At the time of the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that an effective complaints procedure had been drawn up and published on the school’s website.

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Main inspection findings

 The complaints policy is now published on the school’s website, so that the standards in this part of the regulations are now all met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  At the time of the previous inspection in January 2018, the standards were not met because not all the independent standards were met.  Leaders have tackled shortcomings related to several standards to ensure that they are now met. However, some actions have been unsuccessful in ensuring that all of the standards are met.  As some of the independent school standards have not been met, the school’s request to extend the age range of pupils it admits cannot be recommended at this time.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Email address admin@promisedlandacademy.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 17–19 January 2018

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Information about this school

 The school is a Christian faith school and is part of the Christian Education Europe network of schools.  The school uses the curriculum known as the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) programme for subjects that are taught in the mornings, including mathematics, English, science and social studies. This is supplemented by other curriculum subjects, including French, art and design, technology, physical education, music and citizenship that are taught in the afternoons.  The school is registered for pupils aged four to 16. The school has three pupils who will reach the age of 17 this academic year.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision or other premises.  The school was last inspected in January 2018 when it was judged to be inadequate. At the time of this inspection, a large number of the independent schools standards were found to be unmet.  The registration authority required the school to prepare the action plan as a result of

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Information about this school

non-compliance with the independent school standards being identified on a standard inspection, which was conducted on 25 May 2018.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The registration authority asked inspectors to consider the school’s request for a material change to extend the age range of pupils it admits. The authority also requested that inspectors check the school’s compliance with paragraph 4 in Part 1 of the standards, and all standards in Part 2 of the regulations.  The inspector conducted a tour of the premises and asked leaders for policies and records related to premises safety.  The checks made by leaders on the suitability of staff were scrutinised, alongside other documents related to safeguarding.  The inspector carried out observations in lessons, looked at pupils’ work and held

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Information about this inspection

discussions with pupils.  The inspector asked the headteacher to contact the chair of governors to notify them of the inspection, and to offer the opportunity for her to speak with the inspector.

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Inspection team

Andrew Wright, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain unmet at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if— – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and  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(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and 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(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress;

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that— – 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.  24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including— – 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility; and  25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of

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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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standards

 2(1)(a) The standard in this paragraph is met if 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  2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that  2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner  2(2)(e)(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options  2(2)(e)(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential  2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress  3(e) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught  3(f) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at

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standards

the school utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range  5(b)(v) The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures  7(a) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school.  7(b) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  14 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and

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standards

attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  16(a) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy  16(b) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.  18(2)(b) The standard in this paragraph is met if 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  18(2)(c)(i) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor carries out appropriate

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standards

checks to confirm in respect of the person’s identity;  18(2)(c)(ii) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of the person’s medical fitness;  18(2)(c)(iv) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of where appropriate, the person’s qualifications  28(1)(c) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that cold water supplies that are suitable for drinking are clearly marked as such  29(1)(b) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable pupils to play outside  32(1)(a) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that the information specified in sub-paragraph (2) is provided to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief

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standards

Inspector, the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate  32(1)(b) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that the information specified in sub-paragraph (3) is made available to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector, the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate  32(1)(c) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request  32(2)(b)(i) where the proprietor is an individual, the proprietor’s full name, address for correspondence during both term-time and holidays and a telephone number or numbers on which the proprietor may be contacted

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standards

 32(3)(b) particulars of educational and welfare provision for pupils with EHC plans and pupils for whom English is an additional language  32(3)(c) particulars of the policy referred to in paragraph 2  32(3)(d) particulars of arrangements for meeting the standards contained in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 13  32(3)(e) particulars of the school’s academic performance during the preceding school year, including the results of any public examinations  32(3)(f) details of the complaints procedure referred to in paragraph 33, and the number of complaints registered under the formal procedure during the preceding school year  33(b) 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 is made available to parents of pupils.

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standards

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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standards

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standards

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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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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