King's House Moorlands

School progress monitoring inspection report

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King’s House Preparatory School and Nursery King’s House, 33–43 High Street, Leagrave, Luton, Bedfordshire LU4 9JY

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 15  In June 2018, the Independent Schools Inspectorate carried out a compliance inspection. They found a number of unmet standards particularly around how effectively leaders carry out and keep important recruitment and admissions checks.  The shortfalls in leaders’ checks and records have now been rectified. Standards are now met in relation to the appropriate checking of staff before starting employment, and the keeping of pupils’ admissions registers.  Safeguarding policies and practices are currently appropriate. The designated leader for child protection ensures that staff are trained in line with the current guidance from the Department for Education (DfE). Consequently, staff spoken with demonstrated a clear understanding of how to raise concerns using the school’s policy and procedures. Training records are well kept, and leaders know the procedures to follow when they are

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Main inspection findings

required to report concerns to outside agencies.  Some further training for staff in the ‘Prevent’ duty, for example, remains a work in progress. Leaders provide some online training for adults, but have firm plans for more courses for staff. Leaders take advantage of the local authority safeguarding information and meetings to ensure that they remain up to date.  New staff receive suitable instructions and guidance, when they commence employment, on the school’s policies and procedures to keep children safe. Staff are very considerate of pupils’ well-being, health and safety.  Pupils are taught strategies for keeping themselves safe, especially when using online technologies. Leaders’ chosen curriculum for the teaching of personal, social, health education (PSHE) is well established. As a result, pupils’ workbooks demonstrate that pupils cover and debate a wide range of suitable topics, deepening their knowledge and

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Main inspection findings

understanding over time. They are provided with age-appropriate material that prepares them effectively for the next stage of their education.  Pupils told inspectors that they felt safe and could identify an adult with whom they are happy to speak if they are concerned. Pupils speak confidently and can give a variety of answers to illustrate their knowledge and understanding of keeping safe. For example, they can explain what bullying is and what it is not and have confidence that adults will help them. One pupil echoed the sentiment of others, ‘This is a welcoming school – you can talk to any adults and they will help.’

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)(a), 18(2)(d) and 18(3) 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(v) and 21(3)(a)(vi)  In the compliance inspection in June 2018, weaknesses were found in the trust’s checks and record-keeping when employing staff. For example, prohibition from teaching checks were not recorded correctly on the school’s statutory document.  A great deal of work has been undertaken to now ensure that all employment checks are taken in line with DfE guidance. Checks are thorough and undertaken in a timely manner. The school now purchases advice and guidance from the local authority to ensure that they are up to date with any further recruitment and employment changes.  Prohibition from teaching checks are suitably recorded, as well as those checks on the suitability of leaders and managers. Where new staff have commenced employment since the previous compliance inspection, all suitability to work with children checks have

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Main inspection findings

been carried out prior to them starting work.  Staff keep records well and in line with the expectations of Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2018. Inspectors found that although trustees check that records are appropriately maintained there was no evidence of their evaluations.  The paragraphs contained in the standard for the suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)(a), 28(1)(a), 28(2)(b)  Inspectors concluded at the compliance inspection that the arrangements and suitability of drinking water were not sufficient for the standard to be met.  New water fountains and a water dispenser have been purchased for use by the pupils. They have access to drinking water throughout the course of their day. Pupils told inspectors that they only need to ask permission to leave their class, so they can fill their water bottles. Water provision is easily accessible for pupils and separate to the toilets.  School records demonstrate that the water from all taps throughout the school has been externally checked. Drinking water is suitable and labelled as such.  The toilets are clearly and appropriately labelled. All pupils have access to suitable toilet and washing facilities.  The information contained in the paragraphs that were previously unmet, is now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  At the last compliance inspection, a number of independent school standards were not met. Consequently, leaders produced an action plan to address the unmet standards. The action plan was judged to be acceptable by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.  Leaders have ensured that the actions highlighted in the plan have been successfully undertaken. They have taken swift and effective action and continue to do so.  The headteacher has made significant changes to some key roles within the school. New staff have overhauled systems and processes, which are now effective. Staff are well trained, and their professional development continues to be a high priority for the headteacher.  Leaders are drawing on external expertise from the local authority to continue evaluating and improving the quality of education. This external support is new and not yet firmly

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Main inspection findings

established but the early signs are promising.  Although all information is available in the school, it is not as accessible as it should be. This is because leaders’ monitoring and records of how well they consistently meet the independent school standards are not as rigorous as they could be. Nonetheless, leaders have a good understanding that is appropriate to their role.  The school’s website is currently under review. Some information is not clear and could lead to confusion for parents and carers. Leaders have already identified this issue and have firm plans in place to change and update the website over this term. All information was available within the school.  Leaders have ensured that this standard is now met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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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 regards to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  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.

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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)(a) no such person is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that person is or will be engaging in activity which is regulated activity within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to that Act; – 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)(d) the proprietor ensures that, where relevant to any such person, an enhanced criminal record check is made in respect of that person and an enhanced criminal record certificate is obtained before or as soon as practicable after that

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

person’s appointment; – 18(3) the checks referred to must be completed before a person’s appointment.  21(3) the information referred to in this sub-paragraph is- – 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)(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).

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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)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils.  28(1) the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 28(1)(a) suitable drinking water facilities are provided.  28(2) the facilities provided under sub-paragraph (1)(a) will be suitable only if- – 28(2)(b) these are separate from the toilet facilities.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) the standards about the quality of leaders 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.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Email address enquiries@kingshouseschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected by Ofsted

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Information about this school

 King’s House Preparatory School is an independent school which is registered to educate pupils from age two to 11 years. Leaders are clear that from September 2018, the school now provides education for pupils from age four to 11 and they no longer take children from the age of two. The school has not changed its registration details with the DfE at the time of this inspection.  Children aged 2 to 4 years are now educated at an Ofsted separately registered nursery under the same proprietorial trust. Tots Academy was opened in September 2018 and currently caters for 30 children.  The school is owned by the Filmer Trust. The headteacher is a trustee of the proprietorial body which provides the governance of the school.  The school shares its school hall with a local church.  Currently there are no pupils at the school who are eligible for free school meals.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  During the compliance inspection in June 2018, carried out by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, some independent school standards were found to be unmet. Following that inspection, the school submitted an action plan which was evaluated, and found to be acceptable.  This was the first inspection carried out by Ofsted since the school moved from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, following the previous compliance inspection.  The inspection was conducted with no notice to the school.  During this inspection, inspectors held meetings with the headteacher, staff, pupils, leaders with responsibility for safeguarding and child protection. The lead inspector held

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Information about this inspection

a telephone conversation with a representative of the local authority. A wide range of documentation was scrutinised.  The school’s safeguarding policy, website, register for pre-employment checks and admissions register were checked.  Inspectors reviewed the curriculum planning for PSHE and evaluated a sample of pupils’ workbooks to judge the quality of pupils’ welfare, health and safety education.

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Inspection team

Kim Hall, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Fiona Webb 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

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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Inspection team

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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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

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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