Serenity School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Serenity School 88–90 Southend Lane, Croydon CR0 1DQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have developed curriculum and assessment policies, which appropriately consider the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  Leaders have written suitable teaching plans, which cover all the required areas of learning for pupils aged 11 to 16. A teaching team has been recruited to ensure coverage of all curriculum areas, including music, food technology and sports leadership.  Leaders plan to cover British values and the protected characteristics, as identified in the Equality Act 2010, across curriculum areas. This includes an appropriately planned personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education programme.  Leaders’ plans for careers education are likely to be suitable. In addition to a well- planned careers education programme for all pupils, external careers advisers will be commissioned from the local authority to provide impartial information, advice and

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Main inspection findings

guidance to pupils in Years 10 and 11.  An appropriate assessment system has been planned. Pupils’ progress, both personal and academic, will be tracked over time, using an online system and ‘I can’ statement banks.  There are suitable plans to assure the quality of teaching and assessment. The school’s consultant, who will support the headteacher two days per week, will lead a monitoring and training cycle for teachers.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  Leaders have developed suitable plans, which outline an explicit commitment to the promotion of British values. The plans show that pupils will learn about all the protected characteristics, and develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally.  The PSHE programme is comprehensively planned. The programme is likely to ensure

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Main inspection findings

that pupils learn about equality, diversity, and about a range of religions, cultures and beliefs, including through assemblies, daily reflection and themed events.  The school’s staff handbook makes it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan views, and that balanced viewpoints must always be presented in the teaching of all subjects.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  The school’s safeguarding policy reflects the most recent statutory guidance. It is available on the school’s website. Arrangements for staff induction, training, weekly updates and checks on their understanding are likely to ensure that pupils are kept as safe as possible. The school’s proposed system for recording concerns, referrals and actions taken is appropriate. Designated safeguarding leaders have completed an appropriate level of training.  The school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to meet requirements. They have been appropriately developed with pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in mind.  Leaders have implemented an appropriate first aid policy, and there are two suitably trained first aiders. There is now an appropriate medical room facility that meets all requirements.  Two fire risk assessments have been commissioned since the first pre-registration

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Main inspection findings

inspection, and a range of works have been completed to improve fire safety. As a result, the school is now likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, 2005.  Leaders have produced acceptable health and safety, and risk assessment policies. Risk assessments, including of the premises, are thorough in considering how to minimise risks to pupils.  At the time of the first pre-registration inspection, the premises were not ready for pupils. They are now ready. The windows no longer open too widely, plumbing concerns have been resolved and lighting has been fixed throughout the premises. All rooms have been redecorated, de-cluttered, and are now safe, clean and well maintained.  Admission and attendance registers will be kept electronically using the required codes, and will include the required information.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are now

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Main inspection findings

likely to be met if this school is registered.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  All the required vetting checks for the proprietor, headteacher, staff (including agency staff), and the school’s consultant, have been completed and accurately recorded on a single central record of checks, which is likely to meet requirements.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school’s premises consist of multiple classrooms and learning spaces across three floors of a building that was previously used as a place of worship.  The premises are ready for pupils. They are now safe, clean and well maintained. Fire safety is no longer a concern.  A suitable medical room facility, which meets all of the requirements, is now in place.  The outdoor space has been cleared of rubbish, and made safe.  The internal lighting has been upgraded, and electrical faults have been fixed. Broken lightbulbs have been replaced.  Pupils will access changing rooms and showers at local leisure facilities, after physical education lessons.  Boilers on all floors have been replaced, and now provide a suitably regulated hot water supply and washing facilities.  There are now suitably marked supplies of drinking water.  There is now a secure entrance and reception area, with an intercom system and

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Main inspection findings

closed-circuit television.  The acoustic features and sound insulation are suitable.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  All required policies and information are available on the school’s website.  The school’s intended attainment and progress report template is likely to meet requirements.  Leaders are aware of their duty to provide local authorities with annual statements of income and expenditure for funded pupils with education, health and care (EHC) plans.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The school’s complaints procedure, outlined in a complaints policy, is likely to meet requirements.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Leaders have taken decisive action to rectify the concerns identified at the first pre- registration inspection in August 2018.  All the independent school standards are now likely to be met, and pupils’ well-being is likely to be assured if Serenity School is registered as an independent school.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have developed an appropriate accessibility plan. The requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 are, therefore, 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.

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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

Type of school Day special school for boys

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £40,000 to £50,000

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Proposed school details

Email address office@serenityschool.org.uk

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proposal

Inspector’s recommendation Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 25 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Boys Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 25

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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 with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable Up to 25

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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 Up to 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 8

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Information about this proposed school

 Serenity School intends to register as an independent special day school in the London Borough of Croydon. It is currently not operating and has never done so.  The school intends to offer day places to boys aged 11 to 16 with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  The school intends to open as soon as possible.  A headteacher and the proprietor, who will fulfil the role of deputy headteacher, will lead the school. A governing body has been formed.  Leaders do not intend to make use of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This is the school’s second pre-registration inspection.  The 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.  The inspection was conducted with two days of notice.  The inspector conducted the inspection with the proprietor, chair of governors, headteacher and a consultant.  The inspector considered a range of evidence to check the likelihood of the school meeting the independent school standards that were judged as unlikely to be met at the school’s first pre-registration inspection in August 2018. He toured the premises and reviewed key documents, such as policies and risk assessments.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted 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

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