Bright Futures School

School material change inspection report

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Bright Futures School for Children with Autism

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Oberlin Cottage, Oberlin Street, Greenacres, Oldham OL4 3HS

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The school has an up-to-date safeguarding policy, which leaders publish on the school’s website.  The designated lead for safeguarding keeps detailed records of concerns and responds promptly, making referrals to outside agencies when required.  Staff are well trained and knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures and the signs of abuse. They also have an in-depth understanding of their pupils’ needs. This ensures that they are particularly alert to any changes in mood or behaviour, which might indicate a concern.  Leaders carry out a detailed risk assessment for each pupil. This analyses the pupil’s learning needs. For example, it indicates how staff should respond if a pupil shows particular behaviour patterns. There are also daily meetings to ensure that all

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Main inspection findings

members of staff are aware of any emerging issues. These processes ensure that pupils are safe and that staff meet the pupils’ needs effectively. All of these actions contribute significantly to the very strong culture of safeguarding in the school.  Pupils say that they feel safe in school and that staff teach them how to stay safe. For example, pupils know how to be safe when using the internet and they are aware of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.  The school’s necessary record of checks on members of staff is detailed and complies with the government’s guidance.  School leaders have ensured that the relevant standards are likely to be met if the Department for Education decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b),

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Main inspection findings

29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The school has recently moved to new rented accommodation while leaders await the completion of new, purpose-built premises. Leaders make the most of the space and resources available. The premises are maintained well. Leaders secure the health and safety of all pupils, members of staff and visitors effectively.  Leaders have made sure that pupils have access to drinking water. Toilet facilities are suitable and there is hot and cold water. The temperature of the hot water does not present a risk of scalding.  There is a room that is suitable for tending to sick pupils on a short-term basis and for medical examination.  The outdoor area is sufficiently spacious to enable play and physical activities. There are showering facilities at the school, but leaders provide physical education at off-site facilities. Leaders have put in place detailed risk assessments to ensure pupils’ safety

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Main inspection findings

when changing, and taking part in and showering after their physical education sessions.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the Department for Education decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

 Documentation shows that leaders have put in place clear policies and procedures to ensure that there is suitable accessibility to the premises and the curriculum. Leaders have also ensured that there are alternative methods of communicating information for those who need them. The school’s equality policy and its broad curriculum show that all pupils, regardless of characteristics, have full access.  Leaders have ensured that this requirement of the independent school standards is likely to be met if the Department for Education decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £33,600 to £49,500

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School details

Email address office@brightfuturesschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 11–13 December 2018

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 12 N/A N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 12 N/A Number of part-time pupils 0 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 12 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 12 N/A

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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 12 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 6 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 6 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision N/A N/A

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Information about this school

 Bright Futures School is situated near Oldham.  The proprietor is also the school’s head of development. The headteacher is known in the school as the head of learning. The head of development and head of learning are the school’s senior leaders.  The school caters for pupils who have autism spectrum disorder. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. They have all been placed at the school by their local authority.  The school follows the methodology of the Relationship Development Intervention programme.  The school’s mission is for pupils to ‘make and maintain meaningful relationships; to adapt their thinking and behaviour to everyday real-life challenges and to lead a happier and more fulfilling life’.  The school receives no pupil premium funding.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out, without notice, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to establish whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the requested material change is carried out. An unannounced standard inspection was carried out at the same time.  School leaders have requested a change in the school’s age range from five to 18, to five to 16. They have also requested short-term arrangements for pupils to stay longer at the school in exceptional circumstances. The school has also recently been forced to move premises because of a change of circumstances at the previous rented building.  The inspector carried out a range of activities, including a tour of the school site. This was to check that the school complies with the independent school standards, in accordance with the inspection commissioning form.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector held discussions with the proprietor, the headteacher and other members of staff. The inspector also had a formal meeting with nine pupils.  The inspector examined school policies to check that they are compliant with the independent school standards and to provide additional information for the inspection.

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Inspection team

Mark Quinn, 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

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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