Break Through School

School material change inspection report

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Break Through 121 Nuxley Road, Belverdere, Bexley DA17 5JX

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c) and 16, 16(a)  This inspection identified a number of concerns about the management of safeguarding pupils.  The school’s child protection policy has not been updated since January 2018. It is not compliant with the latest statutory guidance, ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2018). Leaders and staff have not been trained in light of the changes to this guidance. The policy refers to a proprietorial body from a different organisation; this is because it has been taken from elsewhere and has not been appropriately edited for this school. The policy is readily available in hard copy, in the absence of a website.  Although it is evident that leaders refer concerns to external agencies in a timely way and follow them up tenaciously, the recording of concerns, referrals and follow-up lacks consistency, attention to detail and, sometimes, evidence of the final resolution.

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Main inspection findings

 Arrangements to check the suitability of staff are also a concern, as identified in Part 4.  Although risk assessments of pupils, trips and the current premises are suitable, leaders have not written a risk assessment policy.  As a result, paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 16, 16(a) are no longer met. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16 and 16(b)  The school’s suitable health and policy is likely to be implemented well at the proposed additional premises. Plans to staff the provision are appropriate. However, the premises are not yet ready for use. In particular, works are still underway to complete all the actions identified in an external fire risk assessment. Leaders have not risk assessed the additional premises.  As a result, paragraphs 12, 16, and 16(b) are not likely to be met if the requested material change is implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The school’s single central register of vetting checks on staff is not compliant. This is

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Main inspection findings

because ‘prohibition from teaching’ and ‘barred list’ checks were not understood and recorded appropriately.  As a result, paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(b), 21(1), 21(3), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii) and 21(3)(b) are no longer met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The proposed additional premises at 44 Nuxley Road, Belvedere, Bexley DA17 5JG were previously a medical surgery.  The refurbishment works to the ground floor section, which has a separate entrance and comprises classrooms, a reception area, temporary medical room and pupil toilet, are almost complete.  Building and refurbishment works to the first floor, which also has its own separate entrance, are still underway. On this floor there will be classrooms, a kitchen, toilets for staff and for pupils, a shower and changing facility, and a permanent medical room. There is a suitable outdoor garden space, although secure fencing of this area

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Main inspection findings

is yet to be completed.  The premises are likely to be able to accommodate up to 20 additional pupils, once they are ready for occupation.  Once completed, all the relevant independent school standards in this part are likely to be met, including those relating to water supplies, lighting and acoustics. However, as works to finish and secure the premises are not yet completed, and as fire safety works also continue (as identified in Part 3), paragraph 25 is not likely to be met if the proposed material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Some of the independent school standards are no longer met, including those relating to keeping pupils safe from harm. Some of the requirements are not likely to be met in relation to the proposed additional premises.  The proprietors acknowledge the concerns identified during this inspection and have

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Main inspection findings

started taking action to raise standards by appointing a new headteacher, who will join the school in April 2019.  The independent school standard is this part is no longer met, and the material change to increase numbers is not recommended. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school’s accessibility plan has not been updated to consider the proposed additional premises. The school would, therefore, not be compliant with Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 if the material change is implemented.

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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 that are relevant to the material change, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Susanne Jones and Lorraine Wetherilt

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £17,550 to £28,860

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School details

Email address admin@ie-informaleducation.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 19–21 June 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 17 No change Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 21 45 No change recommended at this time

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 21 Up to 45 Number of part-time pupils None No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities All pupils No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 12 Up to 45

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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 Up to 45

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff None 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 6 8

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Information about this school

 Break Through is a day special school, located in the Belvedere area of the London Borough of Bexley.  It is registered to provide education for up to 25 boys and girls aged from 11 to 17 years old who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Pupils have typically been permanently excluded or have refused to attend school. A number have been out of school for significant periods of time.  There are currently 21 pupils on roll. Twelve pupils have an education, health and care plan. Some pupils are dual roll, but the majority are registered solely with the school.  The school makes no use of alternative provision.  The two directors are also the proprietors. The headteacher appointed in January 2018 has since left the school; a new headteacher will join the school in April 2019.  The school’s most recent inspection was a full standard inspection in June 2018.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider the school’s application for a material change to its registration. The proprietor wishes to increase the number of pupils on roll and to make use of additional premises at 44 Nuxley Road, Belvedere, Bexley DA17 5JG.  The DfE requested that the inspector consider whether particular independent school standards contained within Parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 are likely to be met if the material change is implemented, and the additional premises used.  The inspector met with the proprietors. He toured the current and proposed additional premises with them, and reviewed a range of key documents and policies in relation to the independent school standards.  There were no recent responses to Ofsted’s online survey for parents (Parent View) to consider.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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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–

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 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–

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

– 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.

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

 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.

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

 21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is–

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

– 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether–

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

– 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

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

– 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

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

– 21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff ("S"), whether a check was made to establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed.

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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–

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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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. 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 5. Premises of and accommodation at 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 5. Premises of and accommodation at 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 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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