Freshsteps Independent school

School material change inspection report

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Freshsteps Parkview Nurseries, Theobalds Park Road, Crews Hill, Enfield EN2 9BQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i)  Leaders have an appropriate written curriculum policy, which they recently reviewed and updated. There is a strong emphasis on the core subjects of English and mathematics. The curriculum also offers a good and suitable range of subjects in both the primary and secondary phases. From September 2019, the school is expanding its curriculum with specialist teachers for music and for Spanish.  Leaders and teachers adapt lesson plans across the curriculum to meet pupils’ needs, abilities and aptitudes. In doing so, they consider the guidance in pupils’ education, health and care plans. Furthermore, leaders support pupils’ additional needs through the provision of specialist therapists.  Leaders provide many enrichment activities, including those aimed at preparing pupils for adult life. They offer secondary pupils academic and vocational qualifications,

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Main inspection findings

careers education and work experience.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders have detailed policies related to health and safety and to support pupils’ welfare.  The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website and takes into account current statutory guidance. Leaders frequently train and update staff on safeguarding and welfare matters, including at staff induction and through the year.  Leaders work closely with a range of external agencies and parents and carers to support pupils’ safety and welfare. They ensure that the curriculum helps pupils to understand risk and how to avoid danger. Furthermore, they provide parents with safety-related workshops, enabling them to support their children’s safety and well- being. Paragraph 11, 12  Leaders have implemented effective policies for health and safety and for risk assessment. In preparation for the move to the new site, they have updated these

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Main inspection findings

policies and procedures.  Leaders have produced a document with guidance on fire emergency and evacuation procedures for the new premises, which they intend to share with staff and pupils. The new site is fitted with fire escape signage, smoke detector alarms, water sprinklers and emergency lighting.  The new school site is located on the ground floor of a two-storey building. The landlords have commissioned external experts to check fire-fighting equipment regularly. The landlords carry out weekly fire alarm testing.  As was the practice at the previous school site, the proprietor intends to carry out regular evacuation drills. Two members of staff recently attended fire marshal training. They, with the proprietor, have begun to carry out a fire risk assessment of the school’s area within the building. They intend to finalise this when the contractors complete the internal works, which are due to be finished within a fortnight.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 14  There is sufficient staffing in classes and on duty rotas for break and lunchtime to ensure that pupils are adequately supervised throughout the day.  Some pupils travel to and from the school on the school’s minibuses. Two members of staff accompany pupils on each of the minibuses. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school’s risk assessment policy is detailed, and leaders keep it under regular review. In preparation for the move to the new site, leaders carried out additional risk assessments. They have used their findings to take action to minimise risk. For example, they are erecting perimeter fencing on the new site to make it more secure and stop intruders. Furthermore, leaders do an individualised risk assessment for all pupils when they join the school.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met if the material changes are implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b)  The proprietor/headteacher is trained as a designated safeguarding leader and in safer recruitment. She and her deputy safeguarding leaders have a secure understanding of safeguarding practice.

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Main inspection findings

 The single central record is in place, with all the relevant information recorded.  The proprietor has ensured that all the relevant checks have been made on the staff, including checks under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.  Occasionally, the school uses supply staff. Leaders receive the relevant safeguarding documentation and assurances from the supply agencies they use.  All these standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(1)(c), 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), 29(1)(b)  The proposed new site is suitable, in that the acoustics, state of repair, cleanliness and lighting are appropriate.  There are toilets that lock from the inside for the sole use of pupils. These areas have hot and cold running water. The temperature of the water does not pose a scalding hazard.  There is still some work to complete to ensure that the building is fully ready. The proprietor shared the plans with the inspector. She expects the work to be completed in time for the arrival of pupils at the start of the academic year.  When the work is completed, there will be: – a medical room that meets requirements and is adjacent to a toilet and washing

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Main inspection findings

facilities – a shower and a changing room – enough classrooms, therapy rooms, recreational spaces and staff areas to accommodate the proposed increase in roll to 80 pupils – a sports hall and gymnasium, and subject-specialist rooms in the secondary phase – a small outdoor play area – drinking water facilities in each classroom.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met, if the material changes are implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and senior leaders have a sound knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards and other requirements. They have, over time, consistently implemented all the standards and requirements effectively.  Leaders actively promote the well-being and safety of pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met, if the material changes are implemented.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £20,000 – £35,000

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School details

Website www.freshstepseducationcentre.org.uk

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School details

Email address admin@freshstepseducationcentre.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 31 October – 2 November 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 18 5 to 18 5 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 28 80 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 28 80 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 28 80

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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 28 80

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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 28 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 7 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 7 20

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Information about this school

 Freshsteps offers special provision as an alternative for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. These pupils have experienced difficulties in mainstream schools or have been absent from education for a significant period.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan. Local authorities fund the pupils’ placements.  The school gained occupancy of its new premises four days prior to the inspection.  The school does not make use of any off-site additional provision.  The school was judged outstanding at its previous full inspection in October 2017.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the Department for Education, which is the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to check whether the school is likely to meet the independent school standards and other requirements in its proposed new premises and if it increases its maximum capacity to 80.  The school moved into its new premises at Innova House, Kinetic Crescent, Enfield, London EN3 four days prior to this inspection.  The inspector met with the proprietor/headteacher and other senior leaders and toured the new site.  The inspector scrutinised available documents to check whether the school is likely to meet the independent school standards and their requirements. These included the school’s curriculum plans, the safeguarding policy and other policies concerning health and safety.

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Inspection team

David Radomsky, 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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