Liberty Woodland School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Liberty Woodland School Mayfield, Old Malden Lane, Worcester Park, London KT4 7PU

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs ◼ The school has developed a curriculum policy and assessment system, which underpin a range of project plans. These project plans have effectively mapped all the required areas of learning, and they ensure broad and balanced coverage. Projects include ‘belonging and connecting’, ‘culinary world’, ‘explorers: space, sea and land’, ‘living habitats’ and ‘outdoor theatre’. The plans and assessment system, which will monitor pupils’ learning, personal development and progress, are appropriate. Specialist teachers have been recruited, and the school is likely to be well resourced. ◼ There are suitable plans in place for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, which pupils will study through projects. The teaching of British values, including ensuring due regard for the protected characteristics (as identified in the Equality Act 2010), has been sufficiently considered within the school’s detailed

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Main inspection findings

project planning. ◼ The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs ◼ There is appropriate planning in place to provide for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The school’s PSHE plans, which are integrated within every project plan, show how the school intends to develop these areas over time, including pupils’ understanding of British values and equality. ◼ A programme of trips and enrichment activities is planned, including to art galleries, museums, wildlife centres and theatres. Visitors to the school will include creative artists, chefs and an architect. Pupils will learn through group and class discussions, debates and workshops. ◼ Project planning actively encourages respect for other people by paying particular regard to all of the protected characteristics, in an age-appropriate way.

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Main inspection findings

◼ Staff will follow a clear code of conduct, which precludes them from sharing partisan political views. ◼ The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs ◼ The school’s child protection policy was updated during the course of the inspection, and it is compliant with the latest statutory guidance. There is a suitable system for the training of staff, and for the recording and management of safeguarding concerns. However, arrangements for safeguarding are not likely to meet requirements. This is because the proposed designated safeguarding leaders have not completed an appropriate level of training. In addition, the school’s system for completing vetting checks on staff is not compliant with statutory guidance, as identified in Part 4. ◼ Leaders have produced appropriate anti-bullying and behaviour policies. Leaders have put systems in place to log incidents of serious misbehaviour and any sanctions

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Main inspection findings

imposed. ◼ The school is not likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The premises are not complete, and an external fire risk assessment has not been undertaken. Fire safety signage, equipment, alarms, lighting and a logbook of the required checks are all required. ◼ The school’s health and safety and first aid policies are suitable and likely to be implemented well. ◼ Pupils are likely to be appropriately supervised through the adequate deployment of staff. ◼ Arrangements for meeting the standards in relation to pupil admissions and attendance are not likely to meet requirements. There is no compliant admission register template. The proposed attendance registers do not make use of the correct codes to record pupils’ attendance. ◼ Leaders have written a suitable risk assessment policy. Written risk assessments for outdoor learning and trips, as examples, appropriately consider how to minimise the

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Main inspection findings

risks presented. However, leaders have not risk-assessed the premises. ◼ Some of the independent school standards in this part are not likely to be met, as listed in the annex to this report. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs ◼ There is an appropriate template in place for the single central register of vetting checks on staff. ◼ Almost all the required vetting checks have been identified and completed on the single central register template, except for prohibition from the management of independent schools (known as ‘section 128’ checks). ◼ The school does not intend to employ supply or agency staff. ◼ Some of the independent school standards in this part are not likely to be met, as listed in the annex to this report. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs ◼ The proposed school will occupy the proprietor’s home and several out-buildings

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Main inspection findings

within the gardens of the premises. None of the premises are completed, furnished or ready for use as a school. The relevant planning permissions have not yet been granted. The buildings have not been prepared to meet the requirements of fire safety legislation. ◼ An appropriate space for a medical room facility has been identified. However, the facility is not ready to meet the requirements. ◼ There is a very large, secure and appropriate outdoor space for recreation, outdoor learning and physical education. ◼ There are separate toilet facilities for pupils and staff. However, washing facilities do not all have hot and cold water supplies. Drinking water supplies have not been labelled. ◼ All the requirements relating to lighting, acoustics and water temperature are likely to be met. ◼ Some of the independent school standards in this part are not likely to be met, as listed in the annex to this report.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs ◼ All the required policies and information are currently made available in hard copy, and will be available online when leaders establish the school’s website. ◼ The school’s intended report template for parents suitably outlines pupils’ progress and attainment, as per the requirements. ◼ The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs ◼ The school’s complaints policy is likely to meet the requirements. Leaders have also prepared a suitable complaints log. ◼ The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs ◼ The proprietor has worked effectively to prepare to open this school. However, there is significant work to do, especially in relation to the premises and fire safety. As a result, the requirements in this part are not likely to be met if Liberty Woodland

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Main inspection findings

School is registered at this time. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 ◼ Leaders have written an appropriate accessibility plan, which is likely to comply with Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage ◼ The proprietor, who already runs several nurseries, has a strong working knowledge of these requirements. It is likely that all the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage will be met, if this school is registered.

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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, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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 leanna@libertywoodlandschool.com

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proposal

Inspector’s recommendation Age range of pupils Not applicable 4 to 8 Registration not recommended Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 40 Registration not recommended

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable Up to 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan Not applicable Up to 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan Not applicable Up to 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 3 7

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 1 1

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Information about this proposed school

◼ Liberty Woodland School intends to register as an independent day school for pupils aged four to eight in the London Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames. ◼ The proposed school will be based in a house, which will be shared with the proprietor and her family. Lessons will also be taught in a number of buildings within the gardens of the premises. ◼ The school intends to provide a project-based, predominantly outdoor education. ◼ The school would be led by the proprietor, who also intends to fulfil the role of headteacher. Leaders will be supported by a governing body. ◼ The school does not intend to make use of any alternative provision, but will make use of neighbouring leisure facilities such as playing fields, a swimming pool and a nature reserve.

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Information about this inspection

◼ 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. ◼ This is the school’s first pre-registration inspection. ◼ The inspection was conducted with two days of notice. ◼ The school is not operating, and it has never done so. ◼ The inspector conducted the inspection with the school’s proprietor, who will also be the headteacher. ◼ The inspector considered a wide range of evidence to check the likelihood of the school meeting all the independent school standards. He toured the premises, reviewed key documents and policies, including those related to safeguarding and health and safety, and considered the school’s proposed curriculum.

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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– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. ◼ 12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. ◼ 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. ◼ 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 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; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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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)(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. ◼ 20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual ("MB"), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, if– – 20(6)(a) MB– – 20(6)(a)(ii) does not carry out work, or intend 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

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

disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction. ◼ 21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is– – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether– – 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 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

◼ 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including– – 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility. ◼ 24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b). ◼ 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.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

◼ 28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 28(1)(b) toilets and urinals have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water; – 28(1)(c) cold water supplies that are suitable for drinking are clearly marked as such.

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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– – 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. 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 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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