The Fulham Prep School Ltd

School material change inspection report

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Fulham School 200 Greyhound Road, London W14 9SD

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders wish to extend the school’s age range to include a sixth form, opening in September 2020. Leaders have clear plans and schemes of work in place for the proposed sixth-form curriculum, using the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme (IBDP).  Plans and schemes of work are closely linked to the IBDP, and encourage progression in developing students’ knowledge. The subjects planned include: English language and literature; French, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin; history, geography, economics and business studies; chemistry, physics and biology; mathematics; and art. These subjects will ensure that the curriculum provides students with the required breadth of knowledge and experience and prepare them for success at university and life beyond.  The educational provision proposed for the sixth form closely matches the school’s aims and ethos. This includes study across the academic disciplines, sport and the

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Main inspection findings

performing arts. Leaders plan that the sixth-form curriculum will build on students’ critical thinking and creativity.  Experienced and well-qualified teachers have been appointed to deliver and lead on the sixth-form curriculum.  Leaders will monitor the consistency and quality of education provided. A framework of assessment based on the requirements of IBDP will be used to track students’ progress. Leaders plan to assess students’ work appropriately and for teachers to use this information to plan teaching accordingly. The assessment information will be shared with students, parents and carers.  The provision will take into account the ages, abilities and special educational needs and/or disabilities of the students to be admitted. For example, the new building will have a lift to all floors to ensure that students, especially those with disabilities, have access to the full curriculum.  Leaders have given suitable consideration to the development of students’ speaking,

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Main inspection findings

listening, literacy and numeracy skills.  The building plans show that classrooms will be suitably equipped to support students’ learning. Some classrooms will have specialist facilities. For example, the chemistry laboratory will be equipped with appropriate apparatus and fume cupboards for experiments.  Students will have access to local sports grounds for physical education and a range of sporting activities.  A suitable programme for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education will be offered as a discrete subject. PSHE education will also be promoted through other areas of the curriculum, including extra-curricular activities.  Students will be provided with sufficient opportunities to learn about British values and equality. They will be encouraged to respect other people, including those who have protected characteristics.  Leaders have made suitable arrangements to ensure that students have access to

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Main inspection findings

regular, impartial and high-quality careers information, advice and guidance.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved and implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  Leaders have made appropriate plans for students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. Most of this work will take place through a regular programme of PSHE education.  Plans are in place for the sixth-form students to be involved in leadership programmes to develop their self-confidence and initiative through taking on greater responsibilities. The curriculum is designed to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of democracy, tolerance and freedom.  The proposed sixth-form curriculum is carefully mapped to promote students’ SMSC development. This includes the teaching of British values and ensuring that students are encouraged to show respect for all groups, including those with protected characteristics.  It is planned that the sixth-form students will continue to contribute positively to the

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Main inspection findings

lives of others through fundraising and charity work.  The PSHE education curriculum will contribute to students’ understanding about different cultures and religions and prepare them for life in modern Britain.  Students will be involved in discussions and debates. They will be offered balanced points of views by teachers and given time for discussion and reflection.  The curriculum will be enriched by a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, arts and educational visits.  Leaders have ensured that all of the paragraphs in this independent school standard are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved and implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  Leaders have recently updated the safeguarding policy to ensure that it meets the current statutory requirements. A copy of the current safeguarding policy is available from the school’s website and made available in hard copy to parents on request.  Leaders ensure that all staff receive regular training on safeguarding and child protection procedures. Leaders ensure that staff fully understand their responsibilities to keep pupils safe. Senior staff who have the responsibility for leading on safeguarding are knowledgeable about their role and are appropriately trained.  Leaders have a secure understanding of safeguarding issues. Pupils who spoke to the inspector said they always feel safe and are well cared for.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved and implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Leaders and governors demonstrate strong knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to their roles. The independent school standards are met consistently.  Governors are highly experienced. They skilfully support and challenge leaders appropriately. They hold leaders to account so that pupils are safeguarded and the school continues to improve.  Leaders and governors have worked closely to design the new building, including the provision for the sixth form. Therefore, it is likely that all the independent school standards will be met. The proposed sixth-form curriculum is well thought through to meet the needs of the students. This links to the aims and ethos of the school.  Leaders are committed to keeping students safe. Students’ welfare, health and well- being are a priority at the school.  Leaders have ensured that all of the paragraphs in this independent school standard

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Main inspection findings

are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved and implemented.

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s accessibility plan is likely to continue to comply with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £17,628 to £20,634

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 19–21 September 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 4 to 16 4 to18 4 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 701 940 940

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 701 940

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 114 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 Not applicable

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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 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 77 92

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 10 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 There are currently 205 pupils in the pre-preparatory phase (Reception to Year 2), 444 pupils in the preparatory phase (Years 3 to 8) and 50 pupils in the senior phase (ages 13 upwards).  The headteacher was appointed in September 2018.  There are plans in place to move the senior phase with a new sixth-form into new premises at Chesilton Road, London SW6 5AA in September 2020.  The school offers the following off-site activities: – tennis at Putney Lawn Tennis Club, Balmuir Gardens, London SW15 6NG – squash at Queens’ Club, 43 Fairholme Road, London SW14 9JZ – swimming at Fulham Pools, Virgin Active, Normand Park, 197 Lillie Road, London SW6 7ST – community service activities at St Andrew’s Church, Greyhound Road, London W14 9SA – rowing at Barn Elms Sports Centre, Queen Elizabeth Walk, London SW13 9SA – general sports at KHSG, Riverside Drive, London W4 2SP.

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Information about this inspection

 The school’s last standard inspection was in September 2017, when it was judged to be good.  The school received a material change inspection on 25 April 2018 to consider the school’s application to extend the age range of pupils taught at the school from 4 to 14 to 4 to 16. The material change inspection judged that the school was likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change was implemented.  This material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider the school’s application to extend the age range of pupils taught at the school from 4 to 16 to 4 to 18 so that the school can teach students in the sixth form, commencing in September 2020. The DfE commissioned this inspection to check against the independent school standards in parts 1, 2 and 34. In addition, paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c) were checked in relation to the school’s

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Information about this inspection

safeguarding policy and its implementation and publication.  The inspection was conducted with two days of notice.  The inspector scrutinised the school’s website and a range of school policies and documentation, including the proposed sixth-form curriculum. Key documents and policies relating safeguarding, pupils’ welfare, and health and safety were reviewed. The inspector took a short tour of the school site. The school’s plans and proposals for the new building to accommodate the sixth form were considered. Discussions were held with the headteacher, governors, senior leaders and managers, and pupils in key stages 3 and 4.

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Inspection team

Avtar Sherri, 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 visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/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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