TLC The Learning Centre

School material change inspection report

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TLC The Learning Centre Princes Plain, Bromley, Kent BR2 8LD

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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, and is readily available in hard copy to parents. The school’s safer recruitment process, the system for raising and recording concerns, and arrangements for staff training and induction, continue to be compliant with requirements. The proprietor has a sharp understanding of how to keep pupils as safe from harm as possible.  The school’s updated health and safety and risk assessment policies are likely to be effectively implemented at the new premises, and the school is likely to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The premises and facilities are clean, safe and well maintained. Fire safety systems, fire doors and fire safety equipment are all either new or have been upgraded. Risk assessments for the premises reflect the

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Main inspection findings

careful thought that has been given to the reduction of risks.  There is likely to be an appropriate deployment of staff to ensure that pupils are safely supervised. This is likely to continue to be the case if the number of pupils increases to 35.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  All the required recruitment checks are recorded accurately on the school’s single central record (SCR), including for governors, staff and the proprietor.  The SCR meets all the current requirements.  The school makes no use of supply or agency staff or volunteers.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Main inspection findings

All paragraphs  The school’s new premises at Princes Plain, Bromley, Kent BR2 8LD will be the school’s sole premises from September 2019. Previously a medical surgery, they have been refurbished throughout. They are clean, secure and well maintained. There is comfortably room for up to 35 pupils of secondary age.  The health, safety and welfare of pupils are likely to be assured through the effective implementation of the school’s suitably updated health and safety policy.  The building includes five classrooms including rooms for science and cooking, an appropriate medical room facility, two pupil toilets and washing facilities, a staff toilet, staff kitchen and office. There is also an open-plan multi-use area, and ample outdoor courtyard space around the building for recreation.  The acoustic conditions, sound insulation and internal and external lighting are suitable throughout the premises.  Suitably labelled drinking water will be available throughout the school day from taps

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Main inspection findings

at sinks in many of the rooms. The temperature of hot water supplies is safely regulated.  Pupils will continue to access changing room and shower facilities when they go off- site to local leisure facilities for their weekly physical education sessions.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented . Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The proprietor, who is also the headteacher, has paid close attention to detail in planning to relocate to new premises. She has ensured that all the independent school standards checked during this inspection – including the standard in this part – are likely to continue 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

Type of school Day secondary special school for girls

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £14,000 to £39,000

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School details

Email address admin@tlcthelearningcentre.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 5–7 June 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 No change Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 12 35 35

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 11 Up to 35

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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 No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan All pupils Up to 35

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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 All pupils Up to 35

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff None None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 5 6

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Information about this school

 TLC is a small independent day school for girls in the London Borough of Bromley.  The school provides permanent school placements and temporary alternative provision for girls with a range of complex needs, including learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The school works with pupils excluded from, or at risk of exclusion from, schools in a number of local authorities in the vicinity. Some pupils on short-term placements are dual registered. Almost all pupils have education, health and care plans.  Since the previous full standard inspection in June 2018, the registration authority has increased the school’s age range from 11 to 16, to 11 to 18.  The school makes no use of alternative provision. However, pupils attend weekly physical education sessions at the local gym facilities at Uppercutz gym, Whitebeam Avenue, Bromley BR1 8DD.

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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 two material changes to its registration agreement. The proposed changes are to relocate the school’s premises and to increase the maximum number of pupils from 20 to 35.  The DfE requested that the inspector consider whether particular independent school standards contained within Parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 are likely to be met if the material changes are implemented.  The inspector conducted the inspection with the proprietor and headteacher. He toured the school’s new 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 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

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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Inspection team

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

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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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