On Track Education Northampton

School material change inspection report

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On Track Education Centre Northants Unit 6, Quarry Park Close, Moulton Park, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN3 6QB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7a, 7b  The school’s safeguarding and child protection policy has regard to current government guidance and is available to download from the school’s website. There are clear procedures for staff to follow should they have a concern regarding the welfare of a pupil. Staff are well aware of these procedures and follow them appropriately.  All staff have received relevant safeguarding training in such areas as spotting the signs of neglect, female genital mutilation and the dangers of gang culture, knife crime and ‘county lines’ drug trafficking.  Safeguarding leaders have strong links with outside agencies, including the local authority multi-agency safeguarding hub, child and adolescent mental health service, drug and alcohol team and school nurse. Staff know to use these services should pupils and/or their families require extra help and support.

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Main inspection findings

 A daily ‘debrief’ meeting enables staff to be kept up to date with any welfare, health and safety concerns that have arisen during the day. Paragraph 11  The school has an appropriate health and safety policy and procedures in place. For example, a recent health and safety audit highlighted that fire extinguishers should be hung on wall brackets. This issue was rectified promptly.  The health and safety officer ensures that checks on, for example, water temperatures, emergency lighting and portable electrical appliances are undertaken within recommended time scales. Paragraph 12  The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The school’s fire-safety policy is appropriate and up to date. A recent, independent fire risk assessment has been undertaken and identified issues have been acted upon. Frequent tests and checks on various items, including fire equipment, call points,

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Main inspection findings

smoke alarms and fire blankets, help to keep pupils’ health and safety a priority. Paragraph 16a, 16b  The school’s risk assessment policy is appropriate and up to date. Any identified risks are acted upon swiftly. For example, a new security fence and gates have recently been fitted to the perimeter, helping to ensure that visitors can be checked before they are allowed into the school building.  The school is likely to continue to meet the independent school standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools  The following bullet points relate to the proposed new unit for the proposed increase in pupil numbers from 32 to 48. Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 28(1), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(d)  The toilet facilities for boys and girls meet requirements. There is an adequate supply of cold water to the toilets and appropriate washing facilities. The hot water does not pose a risk of scalding. Changing facilities and showers are located at a nearby leisure centre, which can be accessed for physical education activities. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b)  The proposed medical room has a washing facility and is close to a toilet. It is an appropriate room to accommodate the short-term needs of sick or injured pupils. Paragraph 25  The school’s facilities and premises are maintained to a high standard, therefore ensuring that pupils’ health, safety and welfare are not at risk. The school grounds are

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Main inspection findings

protected by a fence, therefore ensuring that the premises are secure. Paragraph 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The lighting and acoustics in each proposed classroom are appropriate. External lighting to help ensure pupils’ and visitors’ safety at night is available. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(c)  Pupils have access to clearly marked drinking water. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  There is an outdoor space for pupils to play and undertake physical education. There is also a local leisure centre which pupils will be able to access.  The school is likely to continue to meet the independent school standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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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), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that the experienced headteacher and centre manager demonstrate the skills and knowledge appropriate to their roles, with clear, defined roles and responsibilities for the two senior leaders responsible for the quality of education, behaviour, safeguarding and pastoral care. Existing practice at the school will be replicated in the proposed new premises, with new staff adopting the school’s current policies, routines and procedures.  The proprietor monitors the work of the school closely through frequent visits and the scrutiny of reports provided by the senior leaders. These detailed reports include relevant information on, for example, pupils’ progress, attendance, behaviour and any potential or ongoing safeguarding concerns.  The proprietor and senior leaders ensure that the school promotes pupils’ well-being.

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Main inspection findings

There are frequent opportunities for pupils to learn how to keep themselves safe and become responsible citizens through the personal, social, health and economic education curriculum. All staff have undertaken appropriate safeguarding training and are clear regarding the procedures to follow should they have a concern regarding a pupil’s welfare.  The school is likely to continue to meet the independent school standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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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 Other independent special school

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School details

Proprietor On Track Education Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £26,068 - £59,000

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School details

Website www.ontrackeducationservices.co.uk

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School details

Email address pdavies@ontrackeducation.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 14–16 November 2017

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 32 48 48

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 32 48

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 32 48

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 26 48

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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 32 48

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 24 31

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Information about this school

 On Track Northampton is situated in converted industrial premises on Moulton Park trading estate in the north of Northampton.  The school is currently registered to admit 32 pupils aged 11 to 19 years who have social, emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties. Pupils are placed at the school following the breakdown of their previous placements in mainstream schools. There are currently 32 pupils on the school roll.  A large number of pupils are in the care of the local authority, with a smaller number of pupils looked after by other local authorities.  On Track aim to ‘restore young people’s self-confidence, self-esteem, self-control and self-motivation through a flexible, personalised, needs-led programme with unconditional care, nurture and support.’  The previous standard inspection of the school was in November 2017, when it was judged to be good.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, to check the school’s compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the school’s application to make material changes to its provision. These changes are to increase the school’s capacity from 32 to 48 pupils and to introduce new premises for this increase in the number of pupils on roll.  The registration authority for independent schools commissioned the inspector to inspect the quality and suitability of the new premises and its provision for the welfare, health and safety of all pupils.  The inspector met with the headteacher, school manager, health and safety officer, deputy safeguarding lead, a class tutor and a director from On Track Education Services. He scrutinised a range of documents, including those relating to health and safety, risk assessment and safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Peter Stonier, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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