The Nook School

School pre-registration inspection report

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The Nook Knotts Lane, Colne, Lancashire BB8 8HH

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided  The proprietor has ensured that there is a clear written policy on the curriculum for the age range being proposed.  The proposed curriculum is likely to be bespoke. Pupils are to be taught the national curriculum in key stage 3. Plans are in place for pupils in key stage 4 to undertake a variety of accredited courses, including functional skills and GCSE courses, according to their needs and abilities.  Subject plans and schemes of work support the written curriculum policy. Schemes of work indicate that pupils will acquire literacy and numeracy skills.  Leaders explained that they intend to check the quality of teaching, learning and assessment through regular work scrutiny, analysis of data and lesson observations.  The school’s assessment policy gives an overview of assessment across the school. Leaders envisage that a range of suitable assessments will be administered on entry

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Main inspection findings

to determine pupils’ academic knowledge and personal skills. Assessment systems are based on nationally recognised schemes and qualifications. Assessments at key stages 3 and 4 will also include teachers’ assessments. Given the proprietor’s level of expertise, it is likely that assessments will be properly administered. Staff at the proposed school will meet with those of other schools owned by Hexagon Care Services to moderate pupils’ outcomes.  The proprietor has appointed two members of the teaching staff, the acting headteacher and a teacher. The acting headteacher is an experienced senior leader. Both members of staff have appropriate experience of teaching pupils.  Leaders’ plans for teaching personal, social, health and economic education include opportunities for pupils to learn about healthy relationships and well-being. There is also suitable provision for the development of pupils’ understanding of British values,

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Main inspection findings

including democracy, respect for others and protected characteristics, as set out in the 2010 Equality Act.  The school plans to organise a range of enrichment activities, including trips and visits, to improve pupils’ self-confidence, knowledge and skills.  The school building has suitable educational resources on site, including suitable furniture for pupils and whiteboards.  A specialist careers adviser, employed by Hexagon Care Services, will provide impartial, up-to-date careers guidance to enable pupils to make informed choices about their future career options.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils  The programmes for personal, social, health and economic education contain well- chosen topics to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, including preparing them for life in modern Britain.

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Main inspection findings

 Policies and schemes of work will give opportunities for pupils to build skills in mutual respect and tolerance. The policies also include references to all the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. Discussions aim to address topics, such as health and welfare. The scheme of work for religious education ensures that pupils will learn about a wide range of communities and religions. These will be supported by visits to places of worship.  The school’s ethos concentrates on improving pupils’ self-worth and addressing their needs so they can fulfil their potential. Provision aims to enable pupils to know right from wrong and to ensure that they take responsibility for their actions and behaviour.  Policies demonstrate a commitment to a non-partisan approach to the teaching of political views.  Internet access will be filtered by the internet provider and will be monitored by the acting headteacher and teacher.

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Main inspection findings

 School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils  The proprietor has ensured that the school has an up-to-date safeguarding policy and takes account of the most recent guidance and legislation. The policy makes clear whom to contact in the event of a concern and how to make a referral to an external agency, when necessary.  The acting headteacher will be the designated officer for safeguarding and child protection. It is intended that a teacher will be the deputy designated lead. Both have undertaken appropriate training.  The proprietor has ensured that appropriate policies and/or documents are in place for behaviour, anti-bullying, health and safety, fire safety, the supervision of pupils and deployment of staff, admissions, attendance and risk assessment.  The policy on behaviour and the anti-bullying strategy pay appropriate attention to

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Main inspection findings

the needs of pupils likely to be admitted to the school.  The first-aid policy is specific to the needs of this school. Staff have been trained to an appropriate level in first aid.  Detailed risk assessments and regular fire and electrical checks are to be carried out within the required timescales. Suitable fire extinguishers are available on the premises. Logs of testing and maintenance are maintained.  Draft admissions and attendance registers reflect the information required.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors  The single central record is in place. This details the required pre-employment checks which have been and are to be made, by whom and when, and these checks are recorded on the system.  The proprietor does not plan to recruit supply staff but is aware of the suitability checks needed if they were used.

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Main inspection findings

 School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools  The premises and accommodation are of a high standard. All parts of the accommodation have suitable lighting, acoustic conditions and heating.  Classrooms are equipped with appropriate furniture for the intended age groups. All classrooms have viewing panels on doors.  The school has a room which is suitable for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils. The room has suitable furniture and facilities for the safe storage of first-aid and medical items.  There are sufficient toilet, washing and shower facilities. Hot water does not pose a scalding risk. Pupils have ready access to labelled fresh drinking water.  External lighting is adequate.  There is plenty of outdoor space for play and recreation. The school also intends to use a leisure centre with private shower facilities for physical education. Leaders have

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Main inspection findings

produced suitable risk assessments for these proposed activities.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information  All the required policies are in place. The safeguarding policy meets requirements.  The school does not have its own internet website. The school does produce a prospectus and makes this and other information available on request. Due to the nature of the provision and the circumstances in which the pupils find themselves, the school does not publish direct contact details. Any correspondence or contact with the school is directed through the company’s head office. This is appropriate.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled  The complaints policy is comprehensive and clearly written. It contains all the necessary steps and the timelines for the efficient handling of any complaints.

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Main inspection findings

 School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools  Leaders at the proposed school demonstrate suitable knowledge and skills appropriate to their role. They have a clear vision for the school and high aspirations for all pupils.  Hexagon Care Services already has experience of opening and running other similar schools. Leaders have a suitable strategy for recruiting additional staff.  Leaders have established a comprehensive suite of policies which provide for the welfare, health and safety of pupils. Persons with leadership and management responsibilities are clear about how they will monitor provision so the independent school standards are met consistently.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The policy for equalities identifies groups. It is clear about how to support each group

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Main inspection findings

of pupils and to monitor impact.  All of the school’s policies express the importance of mutual respect for all people, regardless of difference.  The proprietor has ensured that an accessibility plan for the school has been put in place.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are 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

Email address headoffice@hexagoncare.com

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age N/A Number of pupils of compulsory school age for whom a statement is maintained under section 324, or who is looked after by a local authority N/A

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Provider already operating

Total hours operating as a school per week N/A

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week N/A

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recommendation

Age range of pupils N/A 11–16 11–16 Number of pupils on the school roll N/A 6 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils N/A Girls Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age N/A 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities N/A Not known

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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 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority an education, health and care plan N/A Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff N/A 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff N/A 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision N/A 0

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Information about this proposed school

 The school proposes to admit up to six girls. All the pupils will be looked after by a local authority and will reside in a children’s home owned by Hexagon Care Services. The pupils may or may not have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and may be subject to an education, health and care plan.  The school proposes to share a site with a children’s home owned by Hexagon Care Services. Pupils from the home will attend The Nook School. Pupils will return to the children’s home at break and lunchtimes.  Pupils whom the school intends to admit will generally be extremely vulnerable. Some will have been subject to exploitation. All pupils will have experienced significant trauma or disruption in their lives and may display associated social, emotional, behavioural and mental-health issues.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the school’s second pre-registration inspection.  The inspector toured the building and the premises.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documentation provided by the school in relation to the independent school standards. These included documents outlining the school’s policy and procedure in areas such as safeguarding, the curriculum, assessment and pupils’ progress.  Discussions were held with the proprietor, the head of education for Hexagon Care Services, the acting headteacher and a teacher.

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Inspection team

Ahmed Marikar, 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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