Pivot Academy

School pre-registration inspection report

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Pivot Academy Rawfolds Way, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire BD19 5LH

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b) ◼ Leaders have written an appropriate curriculum policy which outlines the academic and vocational subjects to be taught, while addressing the wider aims of the curriculum to support pupils’ social, emotional and behavioural development. The curriculum covers linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education. ◼ The curriculum is broad and balanced. It is designed with the flexibility to address the individual requirements of pupils. Pupils will initially undergo an initial four-week assessment period to diagnose their needs and devise a bespoke programme to match those needs. ◼ The curriculum will have an appropriate grounding in literacy and numeracy enhanced with vocational experiences, therapeutic support and additional experiences to build

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Main inspection findings

confidence and self-esteem, such as an outdoor pursuits programme. Paragraph 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h) ◼ Leaders have appropriate plans in place for the teaching of personal, social, health and religious education. Pupils also have access to impartial careers advice and guidance. The programme covers key themes, including equalities, British values and risk education. There are opportunities for the programme to be personalised to reflect community needs by addressing subjects such as knife crime and domestic violence. Paragraph 3(3)(3a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j) ◼ Leaders have purchased a range of appropriate equipment and resources to support the delivery of the curriculum. ◼ Leaders have devised a rigorous assessment system to enable them to diagnose pupils’ needs upon arrival at the school. Personal learning plans will subsequently be

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Main inspection findings

developed and there will be regular opportunities to check pupils’ progress over the course of the year. This bespoke and personalised system of assessment will help teachers to plan learning to meet the individual needs of pupils. ◼ School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 1 are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii), Part 1 Quality of education provided 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(i) ◼ Leaders have a timetable in place to ensure that all pupils study personal, social, health and economic education and aspects of religious education every week. Leaders have planned for a strong focus upon personal and social education to meet the specific needs of pupils at the school. ◼ Schemes of work provide opportunities for pupils to develop their knowledge of British

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Main inspection findings

society. Additional learning opportunities are planned to be personalised to the specific issues facing young people in the local community ◼ School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 2 are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b) ◼ Leaders have written a clear and comprehensive safeguarding policy which is compliant with the latest government guidance. The policy outlines procedures for staff to follow to identify, record and follow up any concerns over the welfare or safety of pupils in their care. Leaders intend to make the policy available for parents and carers on the school website, which is currently under construction. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16(a), 16(b) ◼ Leaders have written an appropriate behaviour policy to suit the particular needs of pupils at the school and which will be followed by all members of staff. Sanctions are

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Main inspection findings

identified but there needs to be further clarity concerning possible exclusions. Appropriate systems are in place to record exclusions. ◼ The school has an anti-bullying policy in place, with appropriate logs to record any incidents of bullying. ◼ School leaders have carried out fire risk assessments using an external provider. Through this audit, areas have been identified which require further work. For example, emergency lighting will need to be serviced. Plans are in place for this work to be carried out at the beginning of August 2017. These plans will also have to be extended to address the two buildings acquired on the Bradley site and form part of the fire assessments once building works are completed. When this work is successfully completed, the standards are likely to be met. ◼ Leaders have written first aid, health and safety and risk assessment policies to meet the safety and welfare needs of pupils. Leaders have plans to ensure that staff will

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Main inspection findings

receive clear guidance on the school’s procedures on these matters. Risk assessments are in place to address possible extreme behaviours and to address any concerns that arise concerning pupils’ travel to school. ◼ School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 3 are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 ◼ Leaders are aware of all of the checks and vetting procedures that need to be followed to ensure that appropriate adults can work with pupils. Leaders have a single central record in place to record such information. However, it requires prohibition from teaching checks to be added. Leaders are taking the necessary action to address this. ◼ The proprietor and key directors are trained in safer recruitment practices and ensure that at least one person with this training is involved in the recruitment process. The school’s induction policy provides new staff with a range of key information on key

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Main inspection findings

policies and school procedures. ◼ School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 4 are likely to be met. 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), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b) ◼ The school building on the Cleckheaton site is light, well maintained and suitably resourced. It provides a mixture of key learning spaces and social and eating areas where pupils can develop their social and communication skills. There are also break- out rooms where pupils can receive individual support. ◼ A medical room is currently being developed on the Cleckheaton site which is in appropriate proximity to the toilets and, plans show, will contain a sink. ◼ Water coolers will be available for the provision of drinking water on the Cleckheaton site. Appropriate steps are being taken to ensure that temperature adjustments are in

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Main inspection findings

place for the hot water taps. ◼ The accommodation on the Cleckheaton site is situated on the first floor. Leaders are reviewing their accessibility plans as regards accessibility to this floor. ◼ The school has recently acquired two buildings on the Bradley site. The community building is currently used by the local community and is in a good state of repair. The community building has appropriate toilets for boys and girls and a separate toilet for disabled use. Plans are in place for the installation of a shower in the changing room. A medical room is being developed adjacent to the toilets, with plans for the installation of a sink. ◼ The community building on the Bradley site has its own outside multi-use games area. ◼ The Bradley site also hosts an additional building that was once a pupil referral unit for primary-aged pupils. This building has not been used for two years. The building has three appropriate learning areas. It also has green outdoor spaces and a small

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Main inspection findings

yard area. Tree surgeons and gardeners have been commissioned from the end of July 2017 to improve the yard area, cut back bramble bushes and to trim back the trees to increase natural light. ◼ Plans are in place for the ex-pupil referral unit building to be modified to make appropriate changes to the toilets, changing area and medical room to ensure that they are fit for purpose. Additional decoration and refurbishment is also planned. This work is scheduled to begin on 1 August and completed by the end of the month. ◼ If the planned building work is completed to the required standard and on time, school leaders will have ensured that all standards in Part 5 are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(a), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c), 32(1)(d), 32(1)(e), 32(1)(f), 32(1)(g), 32(1)(h), 32(1)(i), 32(1)(j) ◼ School leaders have commissioned a website in readiness for the school’s opening in

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Main inspection findings

September 2017. Plans show that leaders have considered all of the information that must be made available and provided to parents. They intend to place all information, except individual pupil reports, on the website. ◼ School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 6 are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a), 33(b), 33(c), 33(d), 33(e), 33(f), 33(g), 33(h), 33(i), 33(i)(i), 33(i)(ii), 33(j), 33(j)(i), 33(j)(ii), 33(k) ◼ The complaints policy meets all requirements. It includes reference to the informal processes and to the make-up of the panel that would listen to a complaint. School leaders will make this policy available to parents on the school website. ◼ School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 7 are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) ◼ The proprietor and his team have considerable experience of providing support to

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Main inspection findings

pupils who have experienced disaffection and exclusion. They have used this experience to design an appropriate curriculum and to employ staff with the expertise to meet pupils’ academic and social and emotional needs. They showed during the inspection that they had a secure knowledge of the requirements of the independent school standards. They are committed to ensuring that their team share their high expectations for the social, emotional and academic development of their pupils Paragraph 34(1)(c) ◼ All leaders and managers are actively promoting the well-being of pupils. As the school will host a number of pupils who may have behavioural, social and emotional needs, pupils’ welfare will be a key priority. The school plans to have its own resident social worker and nine staff who will focus upon pupils’ welfare. There are appropriate plans for all proposed staff and governors to have safeguarding training and priority

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Main inspection findings

has been given to all aspects of pupils’ well-being, such as recruitment procedures and fire safety checks. ◼ Leaders have developed appropriate programmes to develop pupils’ well-being through a programme of personal, social, emotional and health education. They are customising these programmes to address local issues, such as domestic violence and knife crime. ◼ School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 8 are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 ◼ School leaders have a range of policies and documents such as the equality and diversity policy that ensures that they will be likely to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. They are currently reviewing their accessibility policy to address the accessibility needs on the Cleckheaton site.

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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) £13,500 full placement

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Proposed school details

Website www.pivot-group.uk (currently holding page only) Email address info@pivot-care.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils n/a 14–16 years 14–16 years Number of pupils on the school roll n/a 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils n/a Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age n/a 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities n/a 0

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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 n/a 0

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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 n/a 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff n/a 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff n/a 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision n/a 9

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Information about this proposed school

◼ Leaders of Pivot Academy have a vision to be ‘dedicated to and passionate about working with some of the most disadvantaged and disenfranchised children and young people in society.’ They aim to ‘support students to take control of their own lives, develop the range of academic, vocational and life skills required in today’s complex world and to make the most of the opportunities available to them.’ ◼ The school will provide accommodation at two separate sites. The first is based on an industrial estate at Rawfolds Way, Cleckheaton. The second site has two buildings leased from Kirklees local authority and is based at Bradley. ◼ The proprietor intends to accept 16 full-time pupils across both sites from September 2017 but no pupils are currently enrolled. ◼ The proprietor has made 25 staffing appointments in readiness for the new academic year in September 2017.

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Information about this inspection

◼ The inspection took place over one day with two of Her Majesty’s Inspectors and was the school’s first pre-registration inspection. ◼ The inspectors held meetings with the managing director, the executive headteacher, the director of education, the director of human resources and the lead social worker. ◼ The inspectors visited both sites and paid particular attention to the Bradley site and the building plans and work commitments in place to have the site ready for the start of the new academic year in September 2017. ◼ A range of documents were studied including those relating to safeguarding and the intended curriculum.

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Inspection team

Malcolm Kirtley, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Debbie Redshaw 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

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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