River Valley

School pre-registration inspection report

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River Valley Poets Corner, Keats Road, Welling, Kent DA16 3NB

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  There are no curriculum or assessment policies in place.  There are no schemes of work in place.  Though the potential arrangements to assure the quality of teaching are appropriate, there are no suitable teaching plans in place to cover all the required areas of learning.  British values and the protected characteristics, as identified in the Equality Act 2010, are likely to be addressed across the curriculum areas. However, there is no scheme of work in place for personal, social, health and economic education.  Leaders’ plans for careers education are likely to be suitable because an external careers advice service has been commissioned from the local authority to provide impartial information, advice and guidance to secondary-aged pupils.  Leaders have not ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered, as listed in the annex to this report.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The outdoor learning programme has been well thought through. It reflects leaders’ clear commitment to promote British values and to ensure that pupils learn about all the protected characteristics and develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. The programme is likely to ensure that pupils learn about equality, diversity and about a range of religions, cultures and beliefs, including through ‘base camp sharing circles’, daily reflection and therapy.  The school’s equality policy makes it clear that balanced viewpoints must always be presented in the teaching of all subjects and that no member of staff may promote partisan views.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s safeguarding policy does not reflect the most recent statutory guidance.  Enhanced safeguarding training has not been completed by those leaders responsible for safeguarding.  The school’s behaviour policy is not likely to meet requirements, as it does not outline rewards and sanctions.  Leaders have not written an anti-bullying policy.  Leaders have not written a first aid policy. However, there are numerous suitably trained first aiders.  It is not known if the school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A fire risk assessment has been booked for completion on 9 November 2018.  Leaders have produced an acceptable health and safety policy but not a risk assessment policy. However, risk assessments of the premises and the intended activities are very thorough and appropriate in minimising risks.  Admission and attendance registers will be kept electronically but the templates do

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Main inspection findings

not meet the requirements outlined in the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  Leaders have not ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered, as listed in the annex to this report. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The proposed single central record of vetting checks on staff is not fit for purpose, being little more than an overview of staff training. It includes just one relevant column, which is the date of staff members’ enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks.  Although some of the required vetting checks are being completed, none are recorded in line with the requirements.  Leaders have not ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered, as listed in the annex to this report. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Main inspection findings

All paragraphs  The school’s premises consist of a very large outdoor space of approximately six and a half acres. A wide range of animals, including goats, horses, pigs, chickens and meerkats, live on the land. There are also large plots for growing vegetables, and significant spaces for outdoor play, physical education and gardening.  The premises are secure and safe, and include distinctly separate spaces for pupils of primary and secondary ages.  There are no school buildings, only wooden eco-toilets (one for staff, one for primary pupils and one for secondary pupils) and two large marquees.  There are no electrical lighting, heating or hot water supplies, but all are in the process of being installed in the marquees and to the toilet facilities, which currently only have cold water supplies.  There are no changing or shower facilities, and no medical room facility.  There are suitably marked supplies of drinking water.

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Main inspection findings

 The acoustic features are likely to be suitable.  Leaders intend to build log cabins for each of the primary and secondary phases, but have not yet secured the relevant planning permissions, nor a long-term lease, to permanently use the site as a school.  Leaders have not ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered, as listed in the annex to this report. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  Only some of the required policies and information are available on the school’s website.  The school’s report template is not likely to meet requirements because it only outlines pupils’ progress, and not their attainment.  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 not ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely

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Main inspection findings

to be met if this school is registered, as listed in the annex to this report. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The school’s complaints procedure 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. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  All the independent school standards are not likely to be met and pupils’ well-being is not likely to be assured if River Valley is registered as an independent school at this time. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have not developed an appropriate accessibility plan. The requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 are therefore not likely to be met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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 Independent alternative provider

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £35,000 to £65,000

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Proposed school details

Email address education@adoservices.co.uk

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proposal

Inspector’s recommendation Age range of pupils Not applicable 5 to 16 Registration not recommended Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 24 Registration not recommended

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable Up to 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable Up to 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable All pupils

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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 24

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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 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 10

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Information about this proposed school

 River Valley intends to register as an independent special day school and alternative provider in the London Borough of Bexley.  River Valley is not currently operating as an independent school, but is operating as an alternative provider for up to five pupils on part-time placements, on dual-roll arrangements.  The school intends to offer day places to boys and girls aged five to 16 with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities, predominantly social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  The school intends to open in January 2019.  The school’s proprietor is a social enterprise organisation, Animal Days Out (ADO). The school’s headteacher will be the organisation’s head of alternative provision.  Leaders do not intend to make use of alternative provision.

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Information about this 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.  This is the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted with two days of notice.  The inspector conducted the inspection with the proprietor, headteacher and policies manager.  The inspector considered a wide range of evidence to check the likelihood of the school meeting all of the independent school standards. This included a tour of the premises, review of key documents and policies and consideration of the school’s proposed curriculum.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 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 – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work– – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and – 2(1)(b)(ii) do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are– – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

aesthetic and creative education – 2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which– – 2(2)(d)(i) reflects the school’s aim and ethos; and – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act[9] – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress.  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(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.  4 The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that a framework

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

for pupil performance to be evaluated, by reference to the school’s own aims as provided to parents or national norms, or to both, is in place.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that– – 9(a) a written behaviour policy is drawn up that, amongst other matters, sets out the sanctions to be adopted in the event of pupil misbehaviour – 9(b) the policy is implemented effectively; and – 9(c) a record is kept of the sanctions imposed upon pupils for serious misbehaviour.  10 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that bullying at the school is prevented in so far as reasonably practicable, by the drawing up and implementation of an effective anti-bullying strategy.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  13 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 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.

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

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 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 – 18(2)(c) the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of each such person– – 18(2)(c)(i) the person’s identity – 18(2)(c)(ii) the person’s medical fitness – 18(2)(c)(iii) the person’s right to work in the United Kingdom; and – 18(2)(c)(iv) where appropriate, the person’s qualifications – 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

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

the proprietor considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  18(3) The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub- paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment.  20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual ("MB"), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, if– – 20(6)(a) MB– – 20(6)(a)(ii) does not carry out work, or intend 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

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

– 20(6)(b) subject to sub-paragraphs (7) to (8), the Chair of the school makes the following checks relating to MB– – 20(6)(b)(iii) where, by reason of MB’s living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining an enhanced criminal record certificate is not sufficient to establish MB’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks as the Chair of the school considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  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.  21(2) The register referred to in sub-paragraph (1) may be kept in electronic form, provided that the information so recorded is capable of being reproduced in legible form.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is– – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007,

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

whether– – 21(3)(a)(i) S’s identity was checked – 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 – 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 – 21(3)(a)(iv) checks were made to ensure, where appropriate, that S had the relevant qualifications – 21(3)(a)(v) an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained in respect of S – 21(3)(a)(vi) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(d) – 21(3)(a)(vii) a check of S’s right to work in the United Kingdom was made; and – 21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e) – 21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff ("S"), whether a check was made to

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

establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed.  21(6) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation each member ("MB") of a body of persons named as the proprietor appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether the checks referred to in paragraph 20(6)(b) were made, the date they were made and the date on which the resulting certificate was obtained.

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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.  24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).

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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.  27 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 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; and – 27(b) external lighting is provided in order to ensure that people can safely enter and leave the school premises.  28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 28(1)(b) toilets and urinals have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water – 28(1)(d) the temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 32(1)(b) 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)(f) an annual written report of each registered pupil’s progress and attainment in the main subject areas taught is provided to the parents of that registered pupil except that no report need be provided where the parent has agreed otherwise.  32(3) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is– – 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

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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. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of 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.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of 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 .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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