Physis Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Physis Heathgates Academy PO Box 179, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 9DE

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Overall outcome

The school meets all of the independent school standards that were checked during this inspection

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(b), 15  The previous inspection in February 2018 identified that the school’s safeguarding policy did not meet requirements regarding guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The policy omitted guidance on the issue of ‘sexting’ and the information relating to the training of designated lead officers was incorrect.  The previous inspection also identified that the school did not use the correct codes to classify pupil absence.  Since the previous inspection, the school’s safeguarding policy has been thoroughly reviewed and updated to correct misinformation and to incorporate the most recent government requirements. It is now suitable and effective.  Training for staff on safeguarding is detailed, thorough and ongoing. Staff know clearly what is expected of them and how to deal with difficult episodes in line with the school’s safeguarding policy.

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Main inspection findings

 The section on ‘sexting’ is comprehensive. It incorporates information to keep children and adults safe, including adults to whom children may report sexting activities. This contributes to promoting a safe and protective working environment for all.  The school has a policy of not allowing mobile phones or tablet devices to be brought in to the school. Pupils are taught about the dangers of online exploitation and how to keep themselves safe when using digital communications and at other times. This approach contributes to minimising the risk of dangerous and inappropriate communications, thus helping to keep pupils safe.  The safeguarding policy is sent out to all placing authorities prior to a pupil starting at the school.  The school’s attendance policy has been updated and the correct codes are included in it. A review of the school’s register confirmed that the correct codes are now in use.

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Main inspection findings

 These standards are now met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1), 32(1)(c), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(b)  At the time of the previous inspection, school leaders had not ensured that the behaviour policy included the school’s position on the issue of exclusions.  In addition, the school had not established arrangements for the educational and welfare provision for pupils who speak English as an additional language.  Following the appointment of a new headteacher, a rigorous review of all school policies has been implemented. This has resulted in the school’s website being closed down until the policy framework has been updated and ratified by the new governing body.  All policies, including the school’s safeguarding policy, and reports are available on request to those who are entitled and eligible to receive them. A list of policies is shown on the Physis Group’s corporate website and an email address for the school’s

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Main inspection findings

headteacher is provided. This enables relevant information about the school to be shared appropriately while the school’s website is being redeveloped.  The school’s behaviour policy has been rewritten in conjunction with the views of pupils. In doing so, leaders aim to achieve good behaviour by encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their actions rather than by focusing on deterring anti-social behaviour. This approach contributes to shaping an ethos of respect and self-regulation within the school.  The behaviour and exclusion policies are linked and demonstrate how exclusions fit into the behaviour management framework. Leaders are clear that exclusion is undesirable but are pragmatic and prepared should this be necessary. The behaviour policy sets the tone of expectations so that staff and pupils know what they can and cannot do, with rewards and positive encouragement featuring strongly. The exclusions policy sets out

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Main inspection findings

the exceptional circumstances where exclusion might be used and the procedures that the school will go through to manage exclusion well.  The inspector did not see any instances of poor behaviour throughout the inspection. On the contrary, pupils were seen to be working pleasantly and cooperatively with their teachers. They were also very cheerful and polite. This positive behaviour reflects the school’s ethos of mutual respect, care and support and pupils’ behaviour over time.  The school has developed a suitable policy that sets out the arrangements for the educational and welfare provision for pupils who speak English as an additional language.  These standards are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  At the time of the previous inspection and the evaluation of the school’s action plan, school leaders and the proprietors had not done enough to ensure that all the independent school standards were met.  Corporate leaders and the proprietors have taken decisive action to reorganise staffing at the school, resulting in the appointment of a new headteacher and three new teaching staff.  The new headteacher has successfully addressed the weaknesses identified in the previous inspection. She has shown that she is conversant with the independent school standards and is carefully auditing the work of the school to ensure that the standards continue to be maintained well and consistently.  The headteacher is passionate and determined about providing a caring and therapeutic learning environment in which pupils are kept safe, feel safe and can thrive. She is

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Main inspection findings

supported well by her line manager.  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 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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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 Part 3: 7, 7(b), 15  Part 6: 32(1), 32(1)(c), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(b)  Part 8: 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Girls

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 1

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School details

Email address Rebecca.bhageerutty@physisgroup.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6–8 February 2018

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Information about this school

 The school is run by the Physis Group, which is based in Shropshire.  It is an independent day school for up to 11 pupils with complex social and emotional issues.  The school is registered for a mixed gender intake. The school takes girls only and intends to formalise this change with the Department for Education in due course.  The school has recently undergone a substantial restructure.  The headteacher is new to the school, having taken up post in January 2019. In addition, three new teachers have replaced previous staff members.  Since the previous inspection, the school has established its first governing body to secure accountability for the quality of provision. The new governing body meets half-termly and is involved in learning walks for safeguarding, teaching and learning, behaviour and health and safety.  The school does not have a religious character.  The school makes use of two off-site providers to enrich the curriculum. One is an

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Information about this school

equestrian centre and the other provides learning in mechanics. Neither is used as full- time alternative provision.  Work experience opportunities are offered where suitable and appropriate to the needs of pupils.

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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.  This inspection was carried out without notice and lasted one day.  This was the first progress monitoring visit since the standard inspection on 6 February 2018 and the evaluation of the school’s action plan on 11 July 2018, which was judged to be unacceptable.  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher, the corporate head of service and safeguarding lead, a member of staff who coordinates the Quantum Leap personal development programme for pupils, and a teacher. She observed teachers and pupils working together and had some informal discussions with pupils.  The inspector reviewed the safeguarding policy and safeguarding training materials with

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Information about this inspection

senior leaders and a clinician. She also reviewed a range of other policies including attendance, behaviour and bullying.  Before the inspection, the inspector checked the Physis Group’s website.

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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

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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