Greek Secondary School of London

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Greek Secondary School of London 22 Trinity Road, Wood Green, London N22 8LB

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii) and 2(2)(i)  At the previous inspection in March 2018, personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education was not taught as a separate subject. The curriculum did not encourage pupils to show respect for other people, particularly those with protected characteristics.  This inspection confirmed leaders’ successful implementation of a new PSHE programme, which pupils study one lesson per week. The curriculum plans include, as identified in the school’s action plan, content reflecting life in modern Britain, including explicit study of tolerance, democracy, citizenship, and all of the protected characteristics. Teachers integrate opportunities to develop pupils’ social, moral, spiritual and cultural understanding, and leaders organise workshops as part of themed weeks.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards checked in this part are

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  At the previous inspection, leaders did not carry out sufficient checks to ensure that safeguarding was effective in a number of areas. The inspection reported these areas as site security, risk assessment and training. This was particularly to ensure the protection of children in relation to the government’s ‘Prevent’ duty.  This inspection found some of the actions identified in the school’s action plan have been completed. Some continue to be work in progress.  All staff, including designated safeguarding leaders, have recently completed suitable training. This reflects the latest statutory safeguarding guidance, including the ‘Prevent’ duty. The school’s compliant safeguarding policy is available online.  Site security has improved, but the necessary automated gate is yet to be installed. It is planned to be in place in the three weeks following the inspection.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 Risk assessment is in the process of being overhauled, which includes the effective implementation of a new risk assessment policy and more robust risk assessments. The school has recently commissioned a health and safety organisation to support them to improve this area of their work.  As a result, although some positive action has begun, the independent school standards checked in this part remain unmet. Paragraph 7(b) is met because the school is compliant with the latest statutory guidance.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 21(1), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(viii) and 21(3)(b)  At the previous inspection, procedural flaws were found in some of the necessary pre- employment checks to ensure staff’s suitability to work with children. Not all the required pre-employment checks were completed, and those that were, were not completed swiftly enough.  This inspection confirmed that the school’s suitable actions have been implemented in full. The school’s approach to safer recruitment meets statutory requirements, and the school’s single central register of pre-employment checks on staff is in place. It is completed fully and accurately, and reflects compliance with the latest statutory guidance.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards checked in this part are

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 25 and 27, 27(a)  At the previous inspection, the school did not have the required accommodation to ensure pupils’ personal development and welfare. Inspectors found that the medical room lacked privacy and that corridors had insufficient light. Pupils had to wear coats in class to keep warm, due to insufficient heating. There was no facility for pupils to shower and change after physical education. Furthermore, the outdoor area was too small to allow sufficient space for play.  This inspection confirmed there is a new and appropriate medical room facility, which is a reasonable distance from a toilet. It includes a portable washing facility.  Lighting and heating have been upgraded throughout the premises.  The school now offers pupils the choice to use the school hall or a suitable public park area for play.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 Leaders are planning to use a local leisure facility for physical education sessions, including use of their changing and shower facilities. However, this is not yet in place.  Leaders have ensured that most independent school standards checked in this part are now met. However, paragraphs 23(1) and 23(1)(c) remain unmet. 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 previous inspection, the proprietor and headteacher had not ensured that the school met all the independent school standards.  The action plan suggested that all failings would be addressed. However, the dates for most of the proposed actions commenced on 1 September 2018. All actions lacked urgency following the inspection, which was in March 2018.  This inspection found that, following the appointment of a new headteacher in September 2018, there has been significant progress in rectifying concerns raised at the

p.2

Main inspection findings

previous inspection. However, there is more work to do to meet the independent school standards. This is likely to be completed by January 2019.  As a result, leaders have not ensured that the independent school standards in this part are met.  Leaders were made aware during the inspection that they are in breach of their registration agreement, as there are students on the roll aged over 18.

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

p.5

School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 30

p.5

School details

Website www.greeksecondaryschooloflondon.com

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 20–27 March 2018

p.5

Information about this school

 The Greek Secondary School is an independent secondary day school for pupils aged 12 to 18. It is situated in Wood Green, in the London Borough of Haringey.  The school is in breach of its registration agreement with the Department for Education (DfE) because there are students on the roll aged over 18.  The school’s proprietor is not identified on the DfE’s ‘Getting Information about Schools’ database, and has been previously incorrectly identified as the Greek Embassy. The proprietor is the Greek Ministry of Education.  The school continues to make no use of alternative provision.  The school’s most recent inspection was a full standard inspection in March 2018.

p.5

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 not to comply with at its previous inspection.  In March 2018, a full standard inspection judged the school to be inadequate. The school submitted an action plan, which was rejected by the Department for Education in August 2018. This was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection, and was conducted without notice.  This inspection focused on the school’s progress against specific requirements within Parts 1, 3, 4, 5 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspector toured the premises and scrutinised a range of documentation with the school’s headteacher.  The inspection took account of the 13 responses on Parent View.

p.7

Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

p.7

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

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that—

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school.

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that—

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

p.8

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—

p.8

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 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.

p.8

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—

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently;

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

p.8

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if—

p.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(a) 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; and

p.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are—

p.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which—

p.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(d)(i) reflects the school’s aim and ethos; and

p.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act;

p.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.

p.9

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that—

p.9

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

p.9

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if—

p.9

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 18(2)(a) no such person is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that person is or will be engaging in activity which is regulated activity within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to that Act;

p.9

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 18(2)(b) 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;

p.9

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 18(2)(c) the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of each such person—

p.9

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 18(2)(d) the proprietor ensures that, where relevant to any such person, an enhanced criminal record check is made in respect of that person and an enhanced criminal record certificate is obtained before or as soon as practicable after that person’s appointment;

p.9

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 18(2)(e) in the case of any person for whom, by reason of that person living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining such a certificate is not sufficient to establish the person’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks are made as the proprietor considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State;

p.10

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.

p.10

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is—

p.10

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff (‘S’) appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether—

p.10

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(a)(ii) a check was made to establish whether S is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act;

p.10

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to 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 such a direction;

p.10

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(a)(v) an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained in respect of S;

p.10

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(a)(vi) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(d);

p.10

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e);

p.10

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff (‘S’), whether a check was made to establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed.

p.10

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 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—

p.10

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils.

p.10

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 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 pupils are ensured.

p.10

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 27 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that—

p.11

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 27(a) the lighting in each room or other internal space is suitable, having regard to the nature of the activities which normally take place therein.

p.11

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable—

p.11

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 29(1)(b) pupils to play outside. 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 .

p.11

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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.

p.12

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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 .

p.12

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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.

p.12

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.12

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.12

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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

p.12