Lisa Lashes School of Music

School pre-registration inspection report

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Lisa Lashes School of Music The Platform Club, George Row, Northampton NN1 1DF

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(i)  The school’s aim is to provide re-engagement with education for pupils who have been permanently excluded, or are at risk of exclusion, from mainstream schools. The school will provide short-term places with a view to pupils returning to mainstream schools, together with longer-term placements designed to prepare pupils for further education, traineeships, apprenticeships and employment.  Senior leaders have extended and developed their current part-time courses to create the core of a full-time programme. The core programme is based on music production and development, together with event management. Curriculum documentation illustrates how British values will be embedded and addressed within each planned unit of work.  The scheme of work for this core programme consists of individual lesson plans, including details of taught and practical sessions, and how the work will be

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Main inspection findings

differentiated to meet pupils’ individual needs. Appropriate account is taken of the ages, aptitudes and starting points of pupils.  The planned curriculum includes opportunities for cross-curricular work, particularly in English, mathematics and information and communication technology. The plans also demonstrate an appropriate emphasis on personal profiling, the development of critical-thinking skills, and communication skills. The curriculum includes several opportunities for careers education, including work experience and independent advice and support from local careers advisory services.  The current curriculum documentation provides appropriate evidence of the coverage of technological, human and social, aesthetic and creative areas of learning.  The school has not produced a written curriculum policy which sets out its vision, aims and details of a full-time curriculum structure. There are no schemes of work for

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Main inspection findings

individual subjects to demonstrate, for example, how pupils will be guaranteed a progressive and coherent experience in core areas of learning, including English, mathematics, science, physical education and personal, social, and health education.  The school has not produced a policy to demonstrate how the curriculum will be amended or adapted to meet pupils’ identified additional learning needs, including those with an education, health and care plan. Paragraph 3 including all related sub-paragraphs, and paragraph 4  The school’s existing curriculum documentation and lesson plans demonstrate an appropriate understanding of effective classroom practice. Lesson plans include a wide range of opportunities for pupils to develop their knowledge and subject-related skills. Pupils are expected to take responsibility for their learning, including appropriate examples of independent research.  Opportunities are included for the assessment of pupils’ work to enable teachers to

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Main inspection findings

plan the next steps in learning and to feed back to pupils regarding areas for further development of their work.  The school plans to provide external accreditation opportunities through functional skills courses and, where appropriate, GCSE subjects.  The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5 and all related sub-paragraphs  Curriculum documentation illustrates how British values will be embedded and addressed within each planned unit of work. Lesson plans include several examples of activities and experiences which contribute to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.  Pupils will be provided with activities and opportunities which develop their understanding of the democratic process, the rule of law and mutual respect for different communities and tolerance of differences.  Curriculum planning emphasises the development of teamwork, decision-making and

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Main inspection findings

self-evaluation. Activities in the core music curriculum require pupils to work collaboratively and to solve problems. There is an integrated emphasis on appropriate aspects of health and safety.  Pupils from diverse backgrounds will work together to raise money, for example for projects to raise awareness of gang crime and of local homelessness. The school has already developed strong links with the local police service, including active learning about democracy and the risks of radicalisation.  The development and production of music encourages teamwork across diverse backgrounds and overcoming cultural differences and isolation and enriching the lives of others.  The school’s continuous working partnership with the local police service also provides first-hand opportunities for staff and pupils to understand the variety of risks and challenges faced by young people in the local and wider communities.

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Main inspection findings

 The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  Senior leaders have produced an appropriate safeguarding policy which has regard to the latest government guidance. The policy will be available to parents and carers on the school’s website, which is currently under development.  Two senior members of staff have been trained to the required level to operate as safeguarding lead persons for the school. The school’s policy and procedures provide appropriate information about the school’s arrangements for recording and reporting any safeguarding concerns.  Arrangements are in place for safeguarding training for all staff as part of their induction at the school. Regular update training is planned into the school’s annual staff training calendar. The policy document also provides links to appropriate external agencies for support with any safeguarding concerns.

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s policy provides all required information about types of abuse, together with information about the risks to which pupils may be exposed, including child sexual exploitation, gang crime and radicalisation.  The school has established suitable electronic procedures for recording and reporting any safeguarding incidents. Paragraph 9 and all related sub-paragraphs, and paragraph 10  The school does not currently have suitable policies for the management of behaviour and the prevention of bullying suitable for the proposed age range of the school.  The school has established suitable arrangements for recording details of behaviour and bullying incidents. Paragraphs 11 to 15  The school has produced appropriate policies and procedures for managing all aspects of health and safety, including fire safety. Arrangements include suitable, regular checks on all aspects of fire safety, including safety equipment and systems,

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Main inspection findings

supported by service contracts with suitable external contractors.  Policies and procedures are in place for first aid, together with arrangements to ensure that all staff are suitably trained. Registers are in place to record pupils’ admissions and attendance. Paragraphs 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The school’s risk assessment policy and requirements are included in the school’s health and safety policy.  The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1) to 18(3)  The school has arrangements in place to check the suitability of staff before appointment. These include checks on identity and right to work in the United Kingdom, together with enhanced checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service for all staff.  Currently, the school does not complete checks for any prohibition order, checks on medical fitness or overseas checks for any member of staff who has lived or worked

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Main inspection findings

abroad. Paragraph 19(1) to 19(3)  The school does not plan to appoint supply staff through an employment agency. Paragraphs 20(6) to 20(6)(c)  The school’s sole proprietor is not a member of a proprietorial body; consequently, no proprietorial checks are required. Paragraphs 21(1) to 21(7)(b)  The school has created a single central register to record details of suitability checks on staff. This is being completed as staff are appointed to the school.  The register does not currently record details of any prohibition or disqualification checks or overseas checks.  The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(2)  The school’s accommodation for teaching and learning is arranged over three floors of premises currently used as a training centre for adult music-production courses during the day.  Firm arrangements are in place to install shutters to close off the bar areas on the

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Main inspection findings

ground and first floors. The premises provide two large, open-plan areas suited to flexible multiple uses. On the ground floor there is a large space suitable for use as an assembly and performance area for whole-school events.  In addition to the flexible open plan areas there are fixed seating areas in arrangements suited to group teaching or one-to-one tutorials. A large meeting room also serves as a classroom available for full group teaching or independent research and support.  The facilities meet all the regulatory requirements for the provision of toilet and washing facilities and the availability of suitable medical facilities, including accommodation for the short-term care of any sick or injured pupils.  Physical education is to be taught at an external local venue where changing rooms and showers are available. There is also a shower available within the disabled washroom facilities on the school site.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 25 to 28(2)(b)  The premises are decorated and maintained to a good standard with suitable attention to health and safety.  Acoustics and lighting are suitable for the nature and range of activities in the curriculum. External lighting supports safe access to and from the premises.  Suitable drinking water facilities are available within the kitchen area and through portable drinking ‘fountains’ to be provided in circulation areas.  There is an adequate supply of hot and cold water to washbasins throughout the premises. However, the temperature of hot water is not controlled sufficiently to avoid the risk of scalding. Paragraphs 29(1) and 29(1)(a) and (b)  There is a secure roof terrace to provide space for recreation suited to the needs of the planned age range of the school.  Planned staffing levels will ensure adequate supervision of pupils throughout the internal and external areas of the site, and the opportunity for supervised trips into

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Main inspection findings

the surrounding local community.  The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1), 32(b) and all related sub-paragraphs  The school’s website, currently under construction, will provide parents, carers and others with access to school policies and information.  The safeguarding policy will be available as a download from the website, together with additional school policies and procedures. Senior leaders have plans to ensure that details of pupils’ academic performance, and the report of any Ofsted inspection of the school, are provided to parents.  The school plans to provide the parents of each pupil with an annual progress report. The proprietor has a good understanding of the requirement to provide an annual account of income and expenditure to placing authorities.  Currently, the school is unable to provide details of those policies which have not yet

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Main inspection findings

been prepared, as set out in the annex to this report.  The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  The school has produced a complaints policy and procedures which provide for informal, formal and appeals stages for the investigation and resolution of any complaints.  Arrangements in the policy for referral to an appeals panel do not comply fully with the requirements of the regulations. Similarly, requirements for recording, confidentiality and access to any findings are not made clear in the current policy.  The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) and 34(1)(a) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and senior leaders have extensive experience of providing a specialised curriculum for adults. They have planned appropriately to provide a similar, extended

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Main inspection findings

curriculum for pupils in the planned age range. However, they have not taken enough account of the detailed requirements of the independent school standards as set out in the annex to this report.  The proprietor and senior leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school is likely to fulfil its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Type of school Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Proprietor Lisa Lashes School of Music Ltd

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Proposed school details

Email address deborah@lisalashesschoolofmusic.com

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable Number of pupils of compulsory school age for whom a statement is maintained under section 324, or who is looked after by a local authority Not applicable

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Provider already operating

Total hours operating as a school per week Not applicable

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week Not applicable

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recommendation

Age range of pupils N/A 11–18 11–18 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 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities N/A 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan N/A 5

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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 N/A 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff N/A 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff N/A 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision N/A N/A

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Information about this proposed school

 The Lisa Lashes School of Music is located in the centre of Northampton. The school of music currently provides part-time, 12-week courses for 16- to 18-year-old students and for adults. The school will occupy premises, owned by the University of Northampton, and currently used as a club and café.  The school is seeking registration as an independent school, providing part-and full- time education for up to 50 pupils in the age range 11 to 18 years. The school will provide an academic and vocational curriculum for pupils with social, emotional and mental health conditions together with associated behavioural difficulties.  The school is due to open during the autumn term 2019, once approved by the Department for Education (DfE).  The school does not propose to use the services of any additional providers.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to assess whether the school is likely to meet all the independent school standards if registered as an independent school. This is the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted without notice as Ofsted was unable to contact the proprietor or senior leaders in advance of the visit. The inspector met with the proprietor who is also the managing director of the company, and with the chief operations director.  The inspector toured the premises and accommodation which are largely ready for occupation once registration has been approved by the DfE.  The inspector scrutinised a variety of school documents, including currently available policy documents, procedures and records, in order to check the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards. He discussed all aspects of planned policy implementation with the proprietor and senior leaders.

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Inspection team

David Young, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work– – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are– – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that– – 9(a) a written behaviour policy is drawn up that, amongst other matters, sets out the sanctions to be adopted in the event of pupil misbehaviour – 9(b) the policy is implemented effectively.  10 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that bullying at the school is prevented in so far as reasonably practicable, by the drawing up and implementation of an effective anti-bullying strategy.

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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 – 18(2)(c) the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of each such person– – 18(2)(c)(ii) the person’s medical fitness – 18(2)(e) in the case of any person for whom, by reason of that person living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining such a certificate is not sufficient to establish the person’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks are made as the proprietor considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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

 18(3) The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub- paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment.  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)(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 – 21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e) – 21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff ("S"), whether a check was made to establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 28(1)(d) the temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk to users.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(3) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is– – 32(3)(a) particulars of the school’s policy on and arrangements for admissions, misbehaviour and exclusions – 32(3)(b) particulars of educational and welfare provision for pupils with EHC plans and pupils for whom English is an additional language – 32(3)(c) particulars of the policy referred to in paragraph 2 – 32(3)(d) particulars of arrangements for meeting the standards contained in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 13 – 32(3)(f) details of the complaints procedure referred to in paragraph 33, and the number of complaints registered under the formal procedure during the preceding school year.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

 33 The standard about the manner in which complaints are handled is met if the proprietor ensures that a complaints procedure is drawn up and effectively implemented which deals with the handling of complaints from parents of pupils and which– – 33(f) where the parent is not satisfied with the response to the complaint made in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), makes provision for a hearing before a panel appointed by or on behalf of the proprietor and consisting of at least three people who were not directly involved in the matters detailed in the complaint – 33(g) ensures that, where there is a panel hearing of a complaint, one panel member is independent of the management and running of the school – 33(h) allows for a parent to attend and be accompanied at a panel hearing if they wish – 33(i) provides for the panel to make findings and recommendations and stipulates that a copy of those findings and recommendations is–

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

– 33(i)(i) provided to the complainant and, where relevant, the person complained about; and – 33(i)(ii) available for inspection on the school premises by the proprietor and the head teacher – 33(j) provides for a written record to be kept of all complaints that are made in accordance with sub-paragraph (e) and– – 33(j)(i) whether they are resolved following a formal procedure, or proceed to a panel hearing; and – 33(j)(ii) action taken by the school as a result of those complaints (regardless of whether they are upheld); and – 33(k) provides that correspondence, statements and records relating to individual complaints are to be kept confidential except where the Secretary of State or a body conducting an inspection under section 109 of the 2008 Act requests access to them.

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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. 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

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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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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