The Prepatoria School

School material change inspection report

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The Prepatoria School 7 Park Plaza, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 3AF

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16(a) and 16(b) [and Part 6 paragraph 32(1)(c)]  The school has an effective safeguarding policy that is fit for purpose and incorporates current government advice.  The policy is available on the school website along with other policies that are important to keeping children, staff and visitors safe in school. These policies include: behaviour, anti-bullying, health and safety, risk assessment and first aid.  The school’s policies have been carefully crafted to reflect the school’s commitment to its core values. These policies also provide clear guidance to staff and information to parents, and other interested parties, on how the school educates pupils in a safe, caring and orderly way.  The school’s core values are based on principles of respect, quality, uniqueness, achievement and professionalism. These values contribute to the unique culture of the

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Main inspection findings

school. They are modelled by staff, and pupils are keen to mirror this behaviour. As a result, classrooms are inviting, interesting and stimulating safe places to be in and pupils are happy to be there.  The school’s admission register contains all necessary information and meets regulations. The attendance of pupils is recorded in line with legislation. The headteacher checks the register daily, taking follow up action with parents as appropriate. Consequently, absence is infrequent. The school is open for 48 weeks of the year. Holiday periods are applied for by parents or carers, and approved by the headteacher.  The behaviour of pupils is exemplary. The behaviour policy and behaviour management are effective. There have been no incidents of bullying or serious misbehaviour recorded since the school opened. However, the school is prepared for this eventuality and has a template ready for recording incidents should they occur.

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Main inspection findings

 The school implements its health and safety policy effectively and maintains a regime of regular recorded site checks. Any defects or concerns are quickly dealt with by the school’s site manager so that the working environment remains safe and secure.  The site risk assessment was updated following the approval by the Department for Education (DfE) for the use of additional premises. The school holds routine fire drills and the evacuation plan and procedures are posted on all exits and throughout the school. This ensures that all adults and pupils can conduct a safe and orderly exit of the premises if necessary.  The school has three qualified paediatric first aiders on site.  Staffing is adequate and staff are deployed effectively to ensure that pupils are well supervised at all times. This contributes to minimising any potential relationship issues between the pupils thus reinforcing the caring ethos of the school.

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Main inspection findings

 Entry to the school is controlled so that no unauthorised access is possible and pupils and staff are kept safe from any potential intruders.  The school works hard to foster a positive and constructive relationship with parents. The Friends of Shrewsbury Prepatoria is a group that acts in a similar manner to a parent teacher association. It promotes additional activities and experiences and ensures that all pupils are well supported and safe.  All standards for this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change application is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The school accommodation consists of three indoor teaching spaces, a covered external space and an external playground. The school has the capacity to

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Main inspection findings

accommodate the proposed increase in numbers. Ample space and resources are available.  Teaching spaces and all areas common to children are light, bright and welcoming and the resultant atmosphere is conducive to learning. This is because leaders and staff work hard to create a safe and attractive environment.  The premises are maintained to a high standard throughout. Toilet and washing facilities are in good order and meet requirements. Water temperature is checked weekly by the headteacher to ensure that children are not harmed. Drinking water is correctly labelled.  The outside play areas are attractively set out with a range of different types of equipment to encourage climbing, jumping, swinging and imaginative play. Sufficient space is available for pupils to run around and play safely.  The covered space outside is known as ‘the studio’ and extends the curriculum through art and any ‘messy’ activities. This enables children to explore fully a range of

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Main inspection findings

activities without compromising the cleanliness and quality of the indoor classrooms.  All standards for this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change application is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The headteacher demonstrates appropriate skills and knowledge to ensure that the independent school standards continue to be met.  The headteacher is an enthusiastic and determined leader who has a clear vision for the school. She is preparing for growth that will take a year or more to achieve as pupils progress seamlessly through the early years and Reception stages, and into key stage 1.  All standards for this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change application is approved.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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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

Email address principal@shrewsburyprepatoria.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 23–24 October 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 7 5 to 7 5 to 7

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 1 20 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 1 20 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 0

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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 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 1 Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) 2 Teaching assistants 1 HLTA 2 Teaching assistants

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Information about this school

 The school is located on an enterprise park close to Shrewsbury town centre. The proprietor also operates two early years settings from the business park. These settings were judged to be outstanding by Ofsted in 2017/18. The settings and the school are collectively known as ‘Shrewsbury Prepatoria’.  The school was registered with the DfE on 9 May 2018 and opened on 3 September 2018. It received its first full inspection on 23 to 24 October 2018 when it was judged to be outstanding.  Prior to this material change inspection, the school was registered for 13 pupils aged five to seven. There is one pupil on the school roll at present. The school anticipates pupils in the early years settings and Reception class moving up into the school places over the course of the next two years.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection is the school’s first material change inspection although the DfE approved the use of additional premises in the adjacent building on 19 July 2018.  The school had applied to the DfE for an increase in pupil numbers on roll from 13 to 20 places following the acquisition of additional premises.  The scope of the inspection was identified as Part 3 (welfare, health and safety of pupils), Part 5 (premises of and accommodation at schools) and Part 8 (quality of leadership in and management of schools).  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher. The inspector also inspected the school premises against the independent school standards regulations, observed staff and pupils at work and scrutinised policies, audits, risk assessments, school development and action plans and records relating to the areas of the inspection.

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Inspection team

Elizabeth Ellis-Martin, lead inspector Ofsted 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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