Abbeywood School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Abbeywood School Rother Way, Hellaby Industrial Estate, Bramley, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S66 8QN

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i - ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a, b,), 2(2)(d)(i – ii), 2(2)(g - i)  School leaders have written a curriculum policy to ensure that pupils can be educated in a range of subjects including those required by the independent school standards. Curriculum documents, including long term plans, schemes of work and lesson plans are available for all ages and aptitudes of pupils that may attend the school.  The headteacher and proprietor have ensured that pupils will have the opportunity to study vocational subjects, for example hair and beauty, as well as academic subjects at various levels of study, such as at GCSE level.  If curriculum documentation is implemented successfully, these standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i - iii)  Senior leaders have a comprehensive careers policy in place which outlines the plans to enable all pupils to gain valuable impartial advice to help them make informed

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Main inspection findings

choices. For example, pupils in Year 7 will have the opportunity to discuss negative and positive influential people, while all pupils in Year 9 will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful work experience. School leaders already have plans in place to broker the services of an external impartial adviser.  If the careers policy is implemented successfully, these standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 3, 3(a - f), 3(h - j),  Senior leaders have quality assurance processes in place to assess whether the quality of teaching is promoting pupils’ good progress. A stringent monitoring of the quality of teaching and learning plus clarification of expectations, as seen in the feedback and marking policy and the staff handbook, will support the meeting of these standards.  If the quality assurance process is implemented successfully, these standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 3, 3(g) 4  The Witherslack Group has an assessment framework that allows for pupils’ progress

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Main inspection findings

to be evaluated. The proprietor has ensured that this framework can also be evaluated comparably to national norms. It is intended that information on pupils’ progress can be successfully used to help teachers plan learning and give parents an indication of their child’s achievements.  If the assessment framework is implemented successfully, along with other relevant policies and procedures, these standards are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i - vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i- iii)  Senior leaders have plans in place to promote pupils’ personal development effectively through a personal, social and health education curriculum. For example, pupils in key stage 2 will consider questions such as: What are human rights? and What is a healthy, happy relationship?  It is intended that pupils will attend weekly assemblies covering themes such as rules

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Main inspection findings

and respect, forgiveness and sexual orientation. It is anticipated that this will support the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils.  The proprietor has ensured that the policies and plans also include guidance for teachers to ensure that any teaching precludes the promotion of partisan political views.  If implemented successfully, these standards are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a – b), 32(1), 32(1((c)  The proprietor has ensured that the safeguarding policy considers all current government requirements. The school does not yet have a website. However, the proprietor is aware of the need to make this policy available for parents on the website.  Some staff have already been recruited. A comprehensive induction programme is being implemented so that staff are aware of their responsibility in regard to safeguarding pupils, for example by knowing fire evacuation and child protection

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Main inspection findings

procedures.  Senior leaders are aware of their responsibility to refer a person who is deemed to be unsuitable for working with children to the Disclosure and Barring Service.  If implemented successfully, these standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 9, 9(a – c), 10 -15, 16, 16 (a – b)  Senior leaders have ensured that health and safety procedures and policies are rigorous.  All the required policies are in place.  Senior leaders have files and templates already in place to ensure that the recording of health and safety checks, such as fire evacuations and risk assessments, is thorough.  Staff have electronic forms already in place which confirm that admission and attendance registers will be completed appropriately.  If implemented successfully, these standards are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17, 18(1), 18(2) (a-e), 18(3), 18(4)(a-c), 20(1), 20(2), 20(3)(a-b), 20(4),

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Main inspection findings

20(5)(a-b), 20(6)(a-c), 20(7)a-b), 20(8)(a-c), 20(9), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3)(a-b), 21(6), 21(7),(a-b), 21(8)  The proprietor and directors have already employed staff and have therefore implemented their recruitment and induction policy. By following this policy, they have carried out all the appropriate checks on new staff to ensure that they are suitable.  A single central record is already accurate and in place for those staff already employed.  Senior leaders do not intend to employ supply staff.  The above standards are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 22, 23(1)(a-c), 23(2), 24(1)(a-b), 24(2), 24(3), 25, 26, 27(a-b), 28(1)(a-d), 28(2)(a-b), 29(1)(a-b)  The proprietor has implemented a programme of structural changes to the existing building, for example the installation of new windows, showers and new toilet facilities. All work has been completed to a high standard. The cosmetic work to the

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Main inspection findings

building is now in its final stages.  The careful planning of the renovation means that all relevant standards have been considered.  Health and safety personnel have set up monthly monitoring of the building so that the standards remain met.  Learning and social areas vary in size, and technology rooms, for example science and information technology, have been organised to allow learning in academic and vocational subjects. Several rooms are available for meetings and therapeutic sessions. Consequently, the needs of the pupils likely to attend the school have been carefully considered.  It is planned that pupils will take part in physical education activities both on-site and at different appropriate locations. Several showers are available and two large outdoor areas.  When fully completed as planned, all standards are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), (a,b,d,f-j), 32(2)(a-d), 32(3)(a-g)

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Main inspection findings

 Senior leaders have a website pending for the school. They currently have a checklist of all information that will be readily available on the website once it becomes live. This checklist ensures that all information which must be provided, or made available, to parents will be on the website.  The headteacher has templates in place so that the information required for other standards, for example pupils’ annual written reports, is likely to be met.  If implemented successfully all the above standards are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33(a-k)  The complaints policy is comprehensive and contains clear guidelines for parents, pupils and staff should they feel the need to raise a grievance. The policy clearly states time frames that need to be met and how, when required, people previously not directly involved in the complaint will be included.  If implemented successfully, all the above standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)(a-c)  The proprietor, directors and senior leaders of the Witherslack Group have worked closely with senior leaders of the new Abbeywood School. They have carefully considered the needs of the potential pupils in both the planning of the curriculum and the resources available.  Those with responsibility for health and safety, welfare and educational arrangements are demonstrating that they have the skills and knowledge appropriate for their roles.  If all the plans, policies and procedures are implemented successfully, it is likely that the above standards are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders and managers have worked closely together to consider the needs of any pupil with a disability so that they will be able to access the facilities and the curriculum. Consequently, ramps are already in place and a wet room is being completed. An

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Main inspection findings

accessibility policy clearly outlines how, should pupils’ needs require additional support such as hearing loops to access the curriculum, their individual needs will be carefully considered.  School leaders have met the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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 Independent Secondary School

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £54,743–£75,690

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Proposed school details

Email address abbeywood@witherslackgroup.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils N/A 10–18 years 10–18 years Number of pupils on the school roll N/A 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils N/A Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age N/A 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities N/A 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan N/A 50

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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 N/A 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 4 8

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Information about this proposed school

 The Abbeywood School intends to accept pupils from the age of 10 to 18 years. It is anticipated that pupils will be referred to the school from local authorities.  The aims of the school are ‘to provide a happy, secure and supportive environment where pupils are valued and can develop their confidence, self-esteem, independence, self-discipline, respect and concern for others and that achievement will be celebrated in all its forms’.  Pupils attending the school are likely to have special educational needs and/or disabilities, for example behavioural and emotional needs, learning difficulties and/or an autistic spectrum disorder diagnosis. They may have spent considerable lengths of time out of education.  Pupils will access local leisure centre facilities for physical education as well as the school site.  School leaders have no plans, currently, to use other alternative providers. However, this will be reassessed relevant to pupils’ individual needs.

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Information about this proposed school

 The school is situated on an industrial estate in Rotherham. The large site is contained within high metal fencing which is then contained within a further fenced in area.  The final cosmetic refurbishments are currently taking place, with the deadline for completion being the 1 February 2019. Final decorating, flooring and moving resources into the building is planned to take place between 4 and 15 February. Currently, all deadlines have been met. School leaders anticipate that they will be ready to accept pupils from 18 February 2019.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out over one day by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. It was commissioned by the Department for Education to consider if, when the school opens, it is likely to meet all the independent school standards and other requirements.  This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector met with at least five senior leaders, including the new headteacher and members of the health and safety team. The company’s regional director for schools met with the inspector as a representative of the proprietor.  The inspector toured all rooms and the outside premises to consider if the independent school standards are likely to be met.  A range of documentation was examined by the inspector, all relating to the school’s readiness to meet the independent school standards. These documents related to the planned curriculum and welfare needs of pupils.

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Inspection team

Jo Sharpe, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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