Tees Valley College

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Keys Tees Valley College Sotherby Road, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire TS3 8BT

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(d)  During the full standard inspection in January 2018, the quality of teaching, particularly in academic subjects, was not consistently good. Teachers did not have adequate information about each pupil’s ability and did not assess them regularly enough to inform their planning. Pupils were often insufficiently challenged and frequently lost interest and, as a consequence, their progress was limited.  This inspection confirms that the school has taken action to address these issues. Teachers now have access to comprehensive information about pupils’ prior attainment, aptitudes and needs. They understand this and make use of it in planning lessons. The school has strengthened its testing of pupils when they are admitted to the school. This information complements that received from the commissioning schools to give a better picture of pupils’ starting points.

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Main inspection findings

 A new assessment and progress monitoring system has been introduced. It is not yet fully operational across all subjects. However, it is being used effectively in English, where pupils’ work has been assessed regularly and thoroughly. Some assessment information for other subjects such as mathematics and science has been recorded. Teachers are being trained to use the information in this system to plan teaching so that pupils can make better progress.  A number of new specialist teachers have been appointed. Training for staff in teaching and learning has been provided by Keys Group and a number of external providers. Teachers are now developing lessons which engage pupils’ interest and encourage them to think and give their opinions, for example using horror as a theme for creative writing. Lessons are also more challenging since teachers are now able to take account more accurately of pupils’ prior attainment.

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Main inspection findings

 As a result of the actions taken by the school, pupils are now making good progress according to their ability. School data shows a significant improvement in the number of pupils who have achieved qualifications in functional skills. In addition, the school’s new system for checking pupils’ progress has demonstrated that pupils have significantly improved their attainment in English.  As a result, these standards are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  During this inspection a check was made of the school’s safeguarding policy and its implementation.  The safeguarding policy is available on the school’s website and is compliant with the latest government guidance.  Leaders foster a strong safeguarding culture. They ensure that all staff receive training and that appropriate checks are carried out on adults who work with children.  These standards were met at the inspection in January 2018 and the proprietor has

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Main inspection findings

ensured that these standards continue to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  In January 2018, inspectors identified that leaders and managers had failed to ensure that the independent school standards were consistently met. They recognised that leaders did not gather enough information when pupils arrive at the school. As a result, leaders and teachers could not accurately assess pupils’ learning needs, progress over time or improvement in behaviour and attendance. In addition, leaders’ ability to analyse pupils’ progress and school improvement was limited  Following that inspection, school leaders, supported by Keys Group staff, developed a comprehensive action plan which effectively addressed how the unmet standards would be met and within what timescales.  The school now ensures that it receives better-quality information about each pupil’s

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Main inspection findings

attainment, attendance, aptitudes and needs prior to admission. In addition, pupils are more rigorously tested on entry so that teachers now have comprehensive information to guide their lesson planning.  The school has made a significant investment in computer software to monitor and analyse pupils’ attainment and progress, attendance and their behaviour and any significant incidents, including those related to safeguarding.  The use of some of this software is still under development, but this inspection confirmed that leaders now have the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of their work. Leaders have demonstrated significant improvements in the progress that pupils are making in academic subjects.  Leaders have strengthened their approach to supporting improvements in pupils’ behaviour and attendance. During this inspection pupils were well behaved and compliant in lessons. Although most have had very poor attendance levels, many have

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Main inspection findings

significantly improved. Despite overall attendance levels remaining low, there is evidence that it has improved since the last inspection. Pupils want to be in school and, as a result, they are now making stronger progress than they were previously.  Leaders have also invested in their own training, staff training in teaching and learning, and classroom resources.  As a response to increased numbers of pupils on roll, the school has made some changes to the use of premises and further changes are planned or are in progress. For example, the hairdressing salon is being moved into the main vocational area and new classrooms have been created. This new provision is being equipped to a high standard. The inspector checked that the areas that have been completed meet the relevant independent school standards.  Keys Group directors and regional management have increased their support for the school. They are also monitoring the school more closely. As a result of more acute

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Main inspection findings

awareness of the school’s strengths and areas for development, they have effectively increased leaders’ capacity to improve the school. They are also able to respond more quickly should a need arise.  As a result, these standards are 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 not to comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school— – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons;

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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.

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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

Managing Director of Education Nicola Kelly

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School details

Website www.keyschildcare.co.uk/services/education/ tees-valley/ Email address info@keyschildcare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16–18 January 2018

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Information about this school

 Keys Tees Valley College is an independent day school which is part of the Keys Childcare Company. The school is registered as an alternative learning provider which is registered to admit up to 75 girls and boys. Pupils are referred by the local authority or their mainstream schools where they remain on roll.  The school is located on a small industrial estate in Middlesbrough.  Most of the pupils have behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion from their mainstream school.  The school focuses on vocational learning opportunities underpinned by core skills, English, mathematics and computer studies.  There is a small number of pupils on roll with an education, health and care plan.  There are currently no pupils on roll in the sixth form.  The school does not use any alternative education provision.  Students take part in physical education at an off-site purpose-built facility.

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Information about this school

 The school was last inspected in January 2018. At that time, the name of the school was ‘Keys 7Ks’. Following an application by the Managing Director of Education, the Department for Education agreed to change the name to ‘Keys Tees Valley College’.

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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 not to comply with at its previous inspection.  This was the school’s first monitoring inspection since being judged to require improvement in January 2018. The inspection was carried out by an Ofsted Inspector without notice.  The inspector observed teaching and learning in a range of lessons and reviewed the work of several pupils in non-vocational subject areas.  The inspector toured the building both inside and outside to check that the independent school standards were met.  The inspector spoke informally with pupils and staff during the day. The inspector also spoke with some parents by telephone.  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher, who is also the designated

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Information about this inspection

safeguarding lead, the Keys Regional Manager and the deputy headteacher. The inspector also spoke with the Keys Managing Director of Education by telephone.  The inspector examined documentation related to safeguarding, and previously unmet independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Steve Rogers, 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

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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