New Level Academy

School material change inspection report

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New Level Academy Third Floor, Ujima House, 388 Wembley High Road, London HA9 6AR

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 11, 12, 14 and 16  The school‟s child protection policy reflects the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The school does not have a website; the policy is readily available in hard copy to parents and carers. The designated safeguarding leader was unavailable to meet the inspector, and the deputy designated safeguarding leader did not realise that his most recent enhanced safeguarding training from January 2017 had lapsed. The single central record of vetting checks on adults working with pupils is not compliant, as outlined on part 4. Information to evidence leaders‟ actions in managing concerns, referrals and actions taken was unavailable. Leaders spoken to did not have a sharp understanding of how to keep pupils as safe from harm as possible, especially in terms of the latest statutory guidance.  The school‟s updated health and safety policy is suitable. However, there is no written

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Main inspection findings

risk assessment policy, the written risk assessment for the premises is inadequate and there are no suitable written risk assessments for use of the nearby park and leisure centre facilities. There was not enough available evidence to confirm that the school is likely to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  There is likely to be an appropriate deployment of staff to ensure that pupils are safely supervised.  Some of the independent school standards checked in this part are not met, as listed in the annex to this report.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The single central record of checks on those working with pupils is not compliant. At the start of the inspection, a staff member‟s enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check was marked as „not applicable‟. Prohibition from teaching checks had only been completed on those staff members with qualified teacher status, and barred list checks, though carried out as part of enhanced DBS checks, were all marked as „not applicable‟. Work to remedy these failings began during the inspection.  Some of the independent school standards checked in this part are not met, as listed in the annex to this report.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school has already relocated to their premises at Ujima House, 388 Wembley High Road, London HA9 6AR. The proprietors intend to use only these premises from September 2019, and then some additional premises at 45 Denmark Road, Kilburn NW6 5BP from later in the autumn term. These were not visited during this inspection.  The Ujima House premises are clean, secure and generally well maintained. There is comfortably room for up to 40 pupils of secondary age.  The building includes five classrooms, one pupil toilet (the other is still being completed) and washing facility, separate staff toilets, an open-plan kitchen and an office.  There is no outdoor space. Pupils go outside to a local park for daily recreation. They attend one of three leisure centres for physical education, all of which provide pupils with access to changing and shower facilities.

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Main inspection findings

 The acoustic conditions, sound insulation and internal and external lighting are suitable throughout the premises.  Suitably labelled drinking water is available throughout the school day from the kitchen. The temperature of hot water supplies is safely regulated.  There is no medical room facility.  Some of the independent school standards checked in this part are not met, as listed in the annex to this report.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The change of the school‟s main premises has already taken place, and this inspection has identified unmet independent school standards. Additionally, leaders have not ensured that all the standards checked during this inspection – including the standard in this part – are likely to be met if the requested material change to increase the number on roll to 20 is implemented.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not 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, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Website The school does not have a website

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16–18 January 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 13 to 19 No change Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 4 (capacity 16) Up to 20 No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age All pupils Up to 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils None No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities All pupils Up to 20

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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 1 Up to 20

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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 None Up to 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 3 4

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Information about this school

 New Level Academy is a small independent school and alternative provider for pupils in the London Borough of Brent.  The school provides permanent school placements and temporary alternative provision for boys and girls with a range of complex needs, especially social, emotional and mental health needs. The school works with pupils excluded from, or at risk of exclusion from, schools in the vicinity. Most pupils are dual-registered. Some pupils have education, health and care plans.  The school makes no use of alternative provision. However, pupils attend physical education sessions at three local leisure centres: Bridge Park Complex, Stonebridge, Harrow NW10 0RG; Vale Farm Sports Centre, Watford Road, Wembley HA0 3HG; and Willesden Sports Centre, Donnington Road, London NW10 3QX.  Leaders have decided not to pursue their original application to extend their age range from 13 to 19 to 11 to 19. This inspection therefore did not consider this

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Information about this school

change.  In the future, the school also intends to make use of additional premises at 45 Denmark Road, Kilburn NW6 5BP.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider the school‟s application to make three material changes to its registration agreement. The proposed changes were in its main premises, an increase in the maximum number of pupils from 16 to 20, and to extend the age range to 11 to 19. However, the chair of the proprietorial body asked the inspector during the inspection not to consider a change in age range.  The inspection was announced earlier than usual, because of its timing in the school holidays. The proprietors were informed of the inspection on 14 August 2019.  The DfE requested that the inspector consider whether particular independent school standards contained within Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 are likely to be met if the material changes are implemented. In light of the intention to consider only the change in premises and increase in number, the inspector checked those requirements within

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Information about this inspection

Parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 only.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietorial body, who is also the headteacher. He toured the school‟s premises, checked the single central record of vetting checks, and considered a range of documentation in relation to safeguarding, health and safety and risk assessment.  There were not enough recent responses to Ofsted‟s online survey (Parent View) to consider as part of this inspection.

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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.  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.  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  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)(ii) a check was made to establish whether S is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act;

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

– 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).

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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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child‟s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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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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