Park View Academy

School material change inspection report

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Park View Academy 146–148 Parkview Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SR

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 32(1)  The culture of safeguarding in this school for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) continues to meet the requirements of the independent school standards.  The school’s child protection policy reflects the latest statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State and is implemented well. It is published online.  Staff are suitably trained, any concerns are raised quickly, suitably dealt with, and thoroughly recorded by the designated safeguarding leader.  Pupils are closely monitored and cared for, and are kept as safe as possible as a result. This is likely to continue if pupil numbers increase.  The school’s health and safety and risk assessment policies are implemented well. Leaders have carefully considered the potential risks presented if pupil numbers increase, and taken appropriate action to minimise these risks.

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Main inspection findings

 Fire safety systems and equipment are mostly new, and all are well maintained. All the required checks are made and logged, and suitable action is taken to minimise the risk of fire. Some external checks are due this month, and there is one outstanding, scheduled action relating to fire doors. Overall, the school is compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This is likely to continue to be the case if pupil numbers increase.  The school operates to an approximate ratio of one adult for every two pupils. Leaders have planned to ensure this remains the case if pupil numbers increase from 30 to 40.  Leaders have ensured that all the relevant independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The single central register of vetting checks is compliant with all the requirements in

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Main inspection findings

this part. It includes all the required checks on employees and the proprietor.  Leaders have ensured that all the relevant independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school’s premises are safe, secure, clean and well maintained.  The new extension includes two new classrooms, a large, open-plan space, a kitchen area and an office. It is connected to the existing premises. The premises can now comfortably accommodate 40 pupils.  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities for pupils, labelled drinking water supplies, and changing and shower facilities.  The standards relating to indoor and outdoor lighting, hot water supplies, acoustics and health and safety are all likely to continue to be met if the material change to increase pupil numbers is implemented.  Pupils continue to go off site to local leisure centres and parks for recreation and physical education.  At the time of this inspection, a classroom was out of use because of a roof leak. This was scheduled to be resolved in the coming week.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if pupil numbers increase to 40 pupils.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  Leaders have planned effectively to increase their number on roll to 40 pupils.  They have ensured that all the relevant independent school standards, including those in this part, are likely to continue to be met if the material change is 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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £39,683 to £71,858

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School details

Email address richard.johnson@alpschools.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 30 April–2 May 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 19 No change Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 29 (capacity 30) Up to 40 Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 22 Up to 40

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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 29 Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 29 Up to 40

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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 29 Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 13

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff None No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 11 16

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Information about this school

 Park View Academy is one of three schools in the ALP schools group. All pupils have education, health and care plans. Most pupils have autism spectrum disorder and/or social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils are placed and funded by their local authorities.  The school’s previous inspection was its most recent full standard inspection. This inspection took place in May 2019 and judged the school’s overall effectiveness to be good.  The school makes use of three alternative providers. They are: Archway, Thamesmead SE2 9BC (for motor mechanics); Animal Days Out, Welling DA16 3AD (for animal therapy); and Squirrells Riding School, Kent ME5 9RG (for horse riding).

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Information about this inspection

 This first material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to consider the school’s application to increase its maximum number of pupils from 30 to 40.  I was asked to consider whether the school is likely to continue to comply with the requirements in Parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 of the independent school standards if the material change is implemented.  I conducted the inspection with the headteacher. I toured the school and considered a range of relevant documentation, including risk assessments, policies and safeguarding information. I met with the managing director and the designated safeguarding leader. I spoke to pupils and staff informally as I toured the school, and observed an unplanned fire evacuation.  The inspection was conducted with two days of notice.  There were no recent responses on Ofsted’s Parent View survey 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 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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