SMK Gateway - Alternative Provision

School pre-registration inspection report

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SMK Gateway - Alternative Provision 602 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3GN

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  The headteacher’s plans for the curriculum are well founded to meet pupils’ anticipated needs. The school’s intended purpose is evident: to support pupils at risk of permanent exclusion through developing their literacy, numeracy and engagement with learning so that they are less likely to be lost from education.  Leaders’ experience of running a successful tuition centre gives them useful insight into the community they intend to serve. They have suitably high aspirations for pupils’ academic success. Proposed schemes of work and associated resources are appropriate and provide a useful structure for pupils to work within.  The core curriculum is planned to focus on English, mathematics and personal development. Alongside this, a flexible approach is intended to provide some opportunities for pupils to access the broader curriculum as needed during what is

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Main inspection findings

expected to be their brief time in the school.  Leaders plan to appoint one full-time teacher to work with a group of no more than 10 pupils. Plans for recruiting a suitably qualified candidate are realistic and reasonable, drawing on expertise from the local community. The headteacher and centre manager intend to complement this work through their provision of pastoral care and support. This represents appropriate staffing levels for the number of pupils accommodated by the school. Leaders will, however, need to monitor staffing arrangements to ensure that they meet the changing needs of the school as pupils arrive and leave.  Suitable plans are in place for monitoring the quality of teaching and pupils’ learning, mirroring practice already established in the tuition provision. Processes for communicating with the ‘parent’ school about pupils’ attainment and progress are also planned to evolve sensibly from existing practice, using the externally credited

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Main inspection findings

examination board specifications to moderate judgements. This is likely to provide a sound and consistent way of establishing pupils’ learning needs and the progress they make as a result of being at the school.  The school is likely to meet this part of the independent school standards. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  Alongside academic ambition, leaders’ intent to influence pupils’ wider personal development is evident. Leaders articulate clearly their anticipated work to promote a culture of tolerance and respect towards others, reflecting fundamental British values. Currently, leaders’ deliberate planning to prevent discrimination against pupils with protected characteristics is not explicitly incorporated into the school’s intended ethos of acceptance.  There are suitable plans in place for pupils’ personal, social, health and economic education, reflecting the specific pastoral support that pupils are likely to need.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders know that they are likely to need to deviate from their yearly plan in order to address the specific needs of different pupils in a timely way.  The assembly programme provides bespoke opportunities to develop pupils’ self- awareness, self-esteem and self-regulation as a fundamental part of the school’s work. Leaders demonstrate great sensitivity in their thinking about how they might adapt their initial plans to address specific needs in a timely and effective way.  An established approach to raising aspirations, through visitors and visits, is planned to be extended from the existing tuition provision. This approach has proved successful in the past, contributing to pupils’ raised aspirations and, subsequently, their future academic success. Leaders demonstrate a suitable awareness of needing to ensure that these experiences are of sufficiently high quality to have a positive impact on pupils’ sense of ambition. Where possible, they plan to involve former

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Main inspection findings

pupils in sharing their success stories effectively with those accommodated temporarily at the school.  Leaders are very aware of the cultural diversity of the community in which the school is situated. Useful opportunities are planned for pupils to learn from and about other cultures and faiths, including those represented in the school.  Leaders’ plans suggest that this part of the independent school standards is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 6 and 7  Leaders are suitably knowledgeable about the expectations for safeguarding practice in the proposed school and the legislation they are based on. They understand the changes needed to bring the current safeguarding and child protection policy up to date. The current policy is available on request and the updated version will be added to the school’s website as it is developed.  The headteacher describes sensible plans for ensuring that staff and governors understand their duties around this important part of their work through appropriate training and useful monitoring. These practices are tried and tested for staff currently employed by the tuition provision at the centre.  The centre manager has undergone training as a designated safeguarding lead and brings useful expertise to this aspect of her role. Early plans are in place for her

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Main inspection findings

training to be refreshed and for another member of staff to complete this training in order to be able to deputise in this role. Paragraphs 9, 10, 14 and 15  Suitable policies reflect leaders’ high expectations for pupils’ behaviour, promoted through the school’s intended values and ethos. Recent amendments to documents ensure that rewards and sanctions, as well as the expectations for pupils to make positive choices about their conduct, are clearly described. The school’s intended approach to preventing and, where necessary, dealing with bullying, is equally convincing.  Plans to ensure that pupils are appropriately supervised are well founded. The open- plan layout and communal social space enable adults to keep the small number of pupils in view when not in lessons. Keeping classrooms locked when not in use will support adults in managing the potential risk of pupils being out of sight.  Leaders have suitable arrangements in place around admissions and attendance

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Main inspection findings

registers, using systems already established in the existing tuition provision. They have comprehensive systems in place for gathering relevant information and recording it centrally in a secure way. Pupils will enter and leave the building via a buzzer-activated doorway, meaning that none will be able to access the site without an adult being aware. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13 and 16  Fire-safety routines are well established within the centre. There are clear lines of responsibility for alarm systems, which are managed by the landlord, and fire equipment, which is looked after by SIEVEMK. Regular checks on equipment and alarms already take place.  Leaders are suitably trained in first aid, including paediatric first aid. This places them well to deal with any incidents that may arise. Useful information about health and medical conditions is required in the induction paperwork that pupils will be required

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Main inspection findings

to complete when joining the school to ensure that staff are aware of any relevant issues and specific requirements in the event of an emergency.  Currently, information about health and safety, fire procedures, first aid and risk assessment is not captured discretely in relevant policies. Leaders understand the need to document their plans and routines more carefully around this aspect of the school’s work.  The requirements of this part of the standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors All paragraphs  As yet, teacher recruitment has not begun. However, leaders are knowledgeable about how they will manage this process, using appropriate safer-recruiting strategies. They understand the checks that need to be made on staff working in the school, and plan to engage a recruitment agency to support them with this work. Initial plans are to recruit one teacher to work alongside the headteacher and centre manager.  Where necessary, leaders plan to utilise supply staff recruited via a relevant agency. Leaders understand the requirements for receiving written confirmation that recruitment checks have been carried out and to check the identification of any member of supply staff when they arrive on-site.  Basic checks have been carried out on trustees who make up the proprietary body. These are recorded clearly in an appropriate format, which will become the single

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Main inspection findings

central record as members of teaching staff are added. Enhanced criminal record and prohibition checks are in the process of being carried out.  This part of the independent school standards is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The premises currently occupied by SIEVEMK provide suitable accommodation for the proposed school. Facilities are clean, bright and generally well maintained by the landlord. The site is secure, with appropriate external lighting.  The building is equipped with adequate heating and water supplies although, at the time of the inspection, the boiler was broken and due to be repaired by the landlord, reinstating the hot-water supply. Separate toilets for adults and pupils will be achieved through redesignating the existing male and female facilities. A water cooler in the communal part of the school will provide access to fresh drinking water for pupils and adults.  Situated on the first floor of the building, the current premises limit access to outside space. However, leaders have thought about how they can ensure that pupils get appropriately supervised access to fresh air during their social times, facilitated by

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Main inspection findings

having relatively small numbers of pupils and a flexible approach to the structure of the school day. Where appropriate, pupils will access local sports facilities and changing facilities in order to participate in physical education.  Leaders have identified a suitable place within the current building to situate a medical room, and understand the requirements that it needs to meet.  It is likely that this part of the independent school standards will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32  SIEVEMK has a website which gives an overview of the services currently on offer and already incorporates a reference to the proposed alternative provision. Leaders intend developing the website further to incorporate relevant information for parents and carers.  Leaders understand what information they are required to make available. Most of the relevant documents are already in place and currently available on request.  This part of the independent school standards is likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33  A school complaints policy has been written and is in an accessible format. It outlines appropriate procedures to follow in the event of a concern, incorporating school leaders’ and proprietors’ responsibilities, as well as suitable timelines for responses. As such, it promotes leaders’ intentions of working closely in partnership with pupils,

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Main inspection findings

parents and staff at pupils’ ‘parent’ schools as part of a successful placement.  The school is likely to meet this part of the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The headteacher, centre manager and proprietors demonstrate consistently high expectations for what they want their school to provide for pupils. Leaders’ shared capacity is evident through their proven track record with the existing successful tuition service and examination centre. They understand that running an alternative provision school is a ‘step up’ from the services currently offered by SIEVEMK and are clear about what that might entail.  Proprietors bring useful skills and expertise to their roles. Their plans for strengthening the accountability systems currently in place are thoughtful and considered. They reflect accurately on where their own expertise needs to be strengthened, such as around their shared familiarity with the independent school standards document, so that they can continue being effective in their role as it

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Main inspection findings

evolves.  This part of the independent school standards is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school’s current premises, based on the building’s first floor, are not suitable for pupils with significant mobility issues, including those who use a wheelchair. Leaders reflect this in their current admissions criteria and are planning ahead as to how these barriers can be overcome when the centre moves to its new site, currently planned for 2022. Other alternative provision in the local area provides accessible alternatives for pupils who may need it.  Leaders are in the process of bringing together the different aspects of their accessibility strategy into one coherent document so that the information is published in line with requirements.

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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.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) Not yet determined

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 14–16 14–16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 10 10

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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 10 Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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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, depending on need

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable Up to 10, depending on need

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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 Not applicable Up to 10, depending on need

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 1

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this proposed school

 SMK Gateway - Alternative Provision is intended to provide short-term full-time education for up to 10 pupils aged 14 to 16 who are at risk of permanent exclusion from their existing schools.  The school will operate from the current premises of SIEVEMK Gateway, a charitable organisation that provides out-of-school tuition and hosts an examination centre for young people and adults. It currently occupies the first floor of a building that was previously for commercial use, located in the centre of Milton Keynes. SIEVEMK has purchased land nearby, with plans to construct a purpose-built centre ready to open in 2022.  The school may incorporate pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including those with an education, health and care plan. These are most likely to be social, emotional or mental health needs.  The school will not have a specific religious character.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first pre-registration inspection for this proposed school.  Her Majesty’s Inspector met with the chief executive officer and centre manager of SIEVEMK Gateway who, together, will form the leadership team of the proposed school. She spoke to two trustees from SIEVEMK Gateway, including the chair of the board, as representatives of the proprietary body.  The inspector toured the school building to determine its suitability. She also reviewed a number of relevant documents relating to the proposed school.

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Inspection team

Kathryn Moles, lead inspector 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

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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 children, 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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