Pathways Education

School pre-registration inspection report

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MySide School Sundial, Jumps Road, Churt, Surrey GU10 2LB

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 1 and 2  The curriculum will be delivered in line with the curriculum policy and schemes submitted with the registration application. The curriculum will be bespoke and tailored to individual pupils’ needs. It will follow three distinct pathways according to the needs and wishes of each pupil. This includes in key stage 2 and key stage 3. Leaders are mindful that pupils are not likely to stay at the school for longer than two years and have designed a curriculum offer that takes this into account.  Class sizes will be small. Pupils will follow different pathways to ensure that the curriculum supports both their academic and social and emotional development equally well.  Written subject policies, schemes and plans provide a clear insight into the way the curriculum will be delivered. They take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of the pupils at the school, all of whom will have education, health and care (EHC) plans.

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Main inspection findings

 The planned curriculum provides appropriate provision for personal, social, health and economic education. Much of this will be covered by the school’s personal, social, health and citizenship scheme of work. This includes encouraging tolerance and respect for other people and aims to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain.  All pupils of secondary-school age will receive appropriate and bespoke careers education and guidance. Paragraphs 3 and 4  The school’s assessment procedures set out carefully how teachers will assess pupils’ learning. Appropriate academic baseline checks will be carried out on entry.  Systems to gather information about pupils’ social and emotional development are also comprehensive. School leaders will use this information to monitor pupils’ outcomes closely over time.  Assessment information will be used to provide parents, carers and/or local authorities with regular updates on the progress of pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 It is intended that pupils will acquire new knowledge and make progress according to their abilities and their individual needs. Leaders regard the development of pupils’ self-esteem and self-confidence as an important aspect of the education the school provides.  It is likely that most of the pupils attending the school will have been out of education for extended periods of time prior to joining the school. Leaders understand the importance of staff being able to provide pupils with successful learning experiences. Expectations of behaviour will be high. All staff will undertake training to ensure that there is a common approach, in line with the school’s behaviour policy, to manage the behaviour and attitude to school of all pupils.  School leaders and the directors have a clear vision of the values that underpin the school’s culture. They will ensure that discrimination of any kind is not tolerated and

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Main inspection findings

that fundamental British values are promoted. Equalities will be actively promoted through the wider curriculum.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  Leaders and staff will promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development effectively through the taught curriculum and through establishing a culture of tolerance and respect between staff and pupils alike.  Curriculum plans ensure that pupils will learn about British values, as well as actively promoting the development of pupils’ sense of self-worth. Because the school is so small, developing trusting relationships between pupils and staff is seen as an important aspect of the school’s provision. The school’s timetable has been designed to support this aspect well.  The headteacher and directors are able to articulate a clear sense of the ethos of the

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Main inspection findings

school. While leaders aspire to provide the best possible quality of education for pupils, there is an underlying aim that pupils will return to mainstream education within a two-year period. In achieving this, leaders understand that developing pupils’ social and emotional well-being needs to be given a high priority.  Teamwork and activities that develop pupils’ confidence are very much part of the curriculum. Opportunities for pupils to take ownership of learning are inbuilt, as are activities that promote understanding of the cultures, faiths and beliefs of others.  Leaders have set high expectations of themselves and staff. These include ensuring that pupils are not exposed to partisan political or religious opinions.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 6 and 7  The school’s policies, written guidance and procedures to ensure the welfare, health

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Main inspection findings

and safety of pupils are sound.  Key staff have already undertaken safeguarding training appropriate to their levels of responsibility. Not all staff have been appointed yet. Induction training for new staff will be comprehensive. This covers safeguarding training, and training to ensure that staff are aware of the school’s wider policies and procedures to keep children safe.  The safeguarding policy is available on the school’s website. The published policy meets current requirements. Paragraphs 9 and 10  The behaviour policy is suitable for the ages and the needs of the school’s pupils. The school also has an anti-bullying policy which has close links to the behaviour policy. The behaviour policy sets out clear aims and lists the consequences of poor behaviour. Leaders will keep records of sanctions imposed for any serious misbehaviour. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16  Leaders have set out a clear policy to comply with relevant health and safety

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Main inspection findings

legislation. Key checks on facilities and equipment, and procedures for fire safety are already in place. A health and safety audit has been completed by suitably qualified external consultants. A fire risk assessment has also been completed by a specialist independent company. The site manager is already working at the school and will be responsible for the ongoing cycle of checks once the proposed school is open.  The first-aid policy is suitable and makes provision for effective first aid. Some staff already hold first-aid qualifications. Other staff will be trained at an appropriate level once appointed and prior to the proposed school opening.  The admissions and attendance registers are electronic and will contain all of the information required. Because the school is not yet open, pupils have not yet been accepted onto the school roll. Plans for the effective supervision of pupils are in place.

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s risk assessment policy states clearly how risks are to be managed. A growing range of risk assessments are already in place. Others will follow prior to the proposed school opening. These include those for the premises, use of resources and equipment, and off-site visits. Risk assessments will include appropriate actions to reduce risk.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21  Leaders know about the checks that need to be made on adults working with children in regulated activities. These include all of the required verifications, such as medical fitness and qualification checks. Leaders are clear that staff will not begin work at the school without the necessary checks in place.  The single central record of staff checks is already established, is sound and

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Main inspection findings

administered competently. Leaders do not intend to use supply staff but are aware of their duties to carry out appropriate checks if this was ever the case.  Suitable checks have been carried out on the headteacher, members of the local governing board, and the directors.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 31  The proposed school is sited on its own plot in what was formerly a stable block in the grounds of a country house. The newly refurbished facilities are of a high standard and include a fully equipped kitchen, which will also be used as a teaching space.  Classrooms and other learning spaces are of a suitable size and appropriately furnished to meet the needs of the pupils likely to be at the school.  The outdoor area is extensive and will be used to facilitate different strands of the

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Main inspection findings

curriculum, as well as providing excellent space for pupils to play and take breaks from learning. Physical education will be provided off-site at a local leisure centre.  The lighting, heating and acoustics are all suitable for the pupils likely to be at the school. Outside, there is sufficient lighting around the buildings and in the grounds to ensure safe passage in the dark.  There are adequate toilets and washing facilities for both pupils and staff. All facilities have sufficient water supplies, and the temperature of hot water is regulated appropriately.  Drinking water is available and labelled as such.  There is allocated accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils, as well as the short-term care of those who are sick or injured.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders and the proprietor are aware of the requirement to provide specified information detailed within Part 6. This includes when pupils are funded or partly funded by a local authority. Leaders also know that they need to publish certain reports and other information as necessary on their website, particularly information required by parents or carers.  Leaders plan to provide regular written reports to parents or carers.  The website includes all of the required information, such as policies, contact details and information about the school’s education provision. This includes the school’s safeguarding policy.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33  The complaints policy and procedures are published on the school’s website. They set out clear timescales for the management of a complaint. There is provision for formal

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Main inspection findings

complaints to be heard by a panel of at least three people who have not been directly involved in the complaint. The policy rightly stipulates that one of the members of the panel must be independent of the management and running of the school. It also states that complainants have the right to be accompanied at a panel hearing if they wish. The policy makes clear that any findings of a panel must be available to a complainant, and where relevant, the person complained about.  Leaders plan to keep any copies of complaints confidentially and available for inspection on the school premises.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  Leaders, including directors and members of the local governing board, have appropriate experience in successful school leadership and management. They

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Main inspection findings

demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements within the independent school standards. They have ensured that the school is likely to meet all of these standards when it opens and are committed to ensuring that these requirements continue to be met. This includes actively promoting the welfare of pupils.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 Leaders have compiled a suitable accessibility plan to improve access to the premises. Leaders intend to update the plan at appropriate intervals. The school is likely to meet paragraph 3 of 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.

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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

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 9 to 14 years 9 to 14 years Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 12 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable] 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable 12

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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 Not applicable 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 3

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is located in the grounds of a large residential property in the countryside near the village of Churt in Surrey. The directors anticipate that it will open in September 2020.  The proprietor is a private limited company with three named directors. One of the directors will act as the chair of the local governing board. Most of the members of the local governing board have already been appointed.  The proposed school will offer specialised provision for up to 12 pupils aged nine to 14 years. It is expected that pupils will have a wide range of complex needs. All pupils will be placed by local authorities and will have EHC plans. Many will not have attended school for long periods of time prior to joining the school. The intention is that pupils will attend the school for up to two years before returning to mainstream education.  It is not proposed that the school will use alternative provisions.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic of 2020.  This was the first pre-registration inspection of the proposed school. The purpose of the inspection was to check whether the proposed school is likely to meet the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. Schools must comply with the independent school standards to be registered.  The inspection focused on compliance with the regulatory requirements of the independent school standards, safeguarding procedures and Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  The inspector had a tour of the school’s premises and grounds. He reviewed a wide range of documentation, including the single central record, safeguarding information, policies, and curriculum and assessment information.  The inspector met with the headteacher and both directors of the proprietorial company, one of whom will act as the chair of the local governing board. The

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Information about this inspection

inspector also met with different support staff with responsibility for human resources, health and safety, finance, and other key aspects of the school, such as maintaining the single central register.

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Inspection team

Clive Close, 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

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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