Rosewood Independent School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Rosewood Independent School YMCA Northumberland, North View, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 9XQ

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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), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), (2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The proprietor has put in place an appropriate written policy with schemes of work to deliver the school’s curriculum. The proprietor and headteacher are clear about how to implement the curriculum effectively. The school’s planning provides pupils with experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education as required by the independent school standards (ISS).  The planned curriculum will be personalised to meet the specific needs of pupils. This aims to take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils. The planning will build on the successful approaches currently found in the alternative provision that

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Main inspection findings

the proprietor runs.  Leaders have a written careers policy, which aims to ensure that pupils are provided with up-to-date career guidance so that they can make informed choices of destinations when they leave school. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 4  The proprietor intends to transfer staff from Total Tuition alternative provision to the new school. She aims to appoint additional suitable staff to meet the needs of pupils attending the school as the school grows. The proprietor aims to ensure that current and additional staff have relevant training and experience to enable pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress.  The school’s resources provided so far are of a good quality. For example, there is already a range of phonics and reading resources for primary-aged pupils and textbooks for secondary-aged pupils. Leaders are clear what further resources will be

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Main inspection findings

needed to deliver the planned curriculum and have plans to purchase these as required.  Leaders have planned a range of assessments to identify pupils’ learning and social needs. This should enable staff to regularly assess pupils’ progress.  The school’s behaviour policy provides the staff with clear guidance for managing pupils’ behaviour. Leaders have established a programme of regular staff training to ensure that the behaviour policy is implemented effectively. Paragraph 3, 3(i), 3(j)  The school’s curriculum planning aims to develop pupils’ understanding of British values. A range of appropriate visitors currently help pupils understand aspects of citizenship. There are clear intentions to provide effective preparation of pupils for life in British society.  Leaders are intent on creating an inclusive learning environment. This is evident in the school’s policies and curriculum plans.  School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 1 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

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)  The school’s curriculum plans provide a range of opportunities to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils.  The personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum aims to encourage respect and tolerance for people from diverse backgrounds. The school’s equality and diversity policies and training for current Total Tuition staff all support this aspect of the school’s work.  The school’s visiting speaker policy provides relevant guidance for staff to ensure that the school precludes the promotion of partisan political views.  School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 2 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has ensured that a comprehensive safeguarding policy is in place. This will help staff identify what to look for and procedures to follow, should they have any concerns about a pupil. The safeguarding policy has regard to government guidance as required. The proprietor will make the policy available to parents and carers on the school’s website, which is ready to go live. Current staff have received a range of relevant safeguarding training appropriate to their roles. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor has written a range of policies that contain all the required legislative guidance and clearly outlined procedures to be followed to ensure the welfare, health and safety of pupils and staff.  The school’s behaviour policy identifies how the school will encourage good behaviour

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Main inspection findings

and consequences where pupils do not meet the school’s expectations. There is a template available for staff to record sanctions for serious misbehaviour. The school has a positive handling policy and staff receive relevant training to support the consistent application of the policy.  A clear anti-bullying policy is in place. The school’s planned PSHE curriculum aims to develop pupils’ understanding about bullying, including online safety.  Policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are in place. The school will share the building with the YMCA. The site visit found that the required fire safety documentation held by both the proprietor and the YMCA was in place.  A written first-aid policy is in place. Several of the current staff have received relevant paediatric first-aid training.  The proprietor has planned appropriate staff-to-pupil ratios and the deployment of

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Main inspection findings

staff, which should ensure that pupils are properly supervised.  Admission and attendance registers are now in place. However, at the start of the inspection, the admission register required some refinement. The proprietor addressed this during the inspection. Staff complete attendance registers for pupils who are currently attending Total Tuition. The proprietor and headteacher understand the requirements to maintain these two registers.  The proprietor has established required policies for health and safety and risk assessments. There are already risk assessments in place for the building, the curriculum, pupils’ individual needs and educational visits.  School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 3 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17, 18, 20, 21  The proprietor has ensured the required safeguarding checks to ensure the suitability of staff currently in the school have been completed.  The Department for Education (DfE) is currently completing the required safeguarding checks for the proprietor. The inspector was able to view an email from the DfE confirming that this is the case.  An electronic spreadsheet of all the required checks, known as a single central record (SCR), has been completed and includes the proprietor and all staff appointed to date.  School leaders do not intend to employ staff from supply teacher agencies.  School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 4 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 23(2), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The classrooms in the school building are light and airy, with effective acoustic conditions. The building has distinct areas for teaching primary- and secondary-aged pupils. The building, outdoor learning and play area are currently maintained to ensure the health and safety of pupils. The outdoor area is suitable for teaching and for pupils to play outside. The proprietor has identified a local playing field space to provide physical education to pupils. Appropriate risk assessments are in place for travel to the location and for using this community space.  External lighting is available in order that people can safely enter and leave the school

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Main inspection findings

premises around the building.  The proprietor has arrangements in place for pupils to have their own drinking water with them in bottles throughout the day. Staff will ensure that water is provided from the school kitchen whenever it needs to be replenished.  There are toilets identified for the sole use of pupils in the school building. These have sinks with hot and cold water. Hot water is at a temperature that would not pose a scalding risk. Toilets for individual pupil use are in rooms that can be secured from the inside and that are intended for one pupil at a time.  The building is shared with community groups. The school’s rooms are located in a separate floor and have secure entrance and exit doors. The proprietor has put in place suitable risk assessments for when pupils are in the public areas of the building. These include high levels of adult supervision of pupils.  The proprietor has identified a room for short-term medical care of pupils when

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Main inspection findings

required. The room is appropriately situated near a toilet.  At the time of the inspection, some planned building work required completion. The planned wash basin for the medical room, and the showers for pupils aged 11 years and over were not in place. The completion of these planned building works was delayed due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The visiting inspector was assured by the proprietor and through information from the contractor that these required building works would be completed prior to the requested opening date in September.  School leaders have ensured that the above standards in Part 5 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(a), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c), 32(1)(f), 32(1)(g), 32(1)(h), 32(1)(i), 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(i), 32(2)(c), 32(2)(d), 32(3), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(c), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(f)  The proprietor has created a website, which is ready to launch once the school receives approval for opening. This website will provide parents and prospective parents with all required information, including relevant school policies.  The proprietor is aware of the need to publish any decisions of the Secretary of State and Ofsted inspection reports for the school on the school website.  The parents of current pupils at Total Tuition receive termly written reports detailing pupils’ progress and attainment in relation to the school’s curriculum. The proprietor intends to continue with this approach in future, with an annual report in the summer

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Main inspection findings

term.  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 now meets the requirements. However, at the start of the inspection, the policy required refinements, particularly in how formal complaints were recorded, how the outcomes of complaints were communicated to the relevant parties and how records of complaints would be stored in the school. The proprietor was able to address this by the end of the inspection.  The complaints policy will be available on the school’s website. The proprietor is aware of the need to report the number of complaints registered under the formal procedure during the preceding school year.  School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 7 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and headteacher have suitable educational backgrounds, training and experience of providing alternative provision, which should support them in fulfilling their school leadership and management responsibilities effectively and consistently. They have a secure understanding of the ISS.  Leaders have clear plans for evaluating the quality of education and checking that the ISS are met consistently.  The ethos of the planned school, vision of the school leaders, and school planning all indicate that leaders and staff will actively promote the well-being of pupils.  School leaders have ensured that all standards in Part 8 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  A suitable equalities policy is in place. The proprietor and current staff have attended relevant equalities and diversity training. An appropriate three-year accessibility plan supports the school’s policy on disability discrimination. The school is likely to meet all the requirements 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

Website www.rosewoodindependentschool.com

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Proposed school details

Email address info@rosewoodindependentschool.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 30 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 Total hours operating as a school per week 25

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 20

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n

Age range of pupils 5–16 6–16 6–16 Number of pupils on the school roll 30 35 35

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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 30 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 11 26

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 11 26

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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 9 26

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 14

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 1 4

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school will cater for pupils aged between six and 16 years, with spaces for a maximum number of 35 pupils.  The school will be located in the YMCA building in North View, Ashington, Northumberland. The proprietor currently provides alternative provision in this building delivered by Total Tuition. The proprietor intends to move the current alternative provision staff and resources into the school once registered by the DfE.  The planned school aims to deliver an ‘individualised trauma-informed approach to teaching and learning’ to pupils to encourage social and emotional growth and promote positive and respectful relationships and acceptance of others.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first pre-inspection of the school.  The inspection was commissioned by the DfE during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Some of the inspection was conducted remotely. This was due to restrictions placed on non-essential travel during the COVID-19 outbreak.  The lead inspector reviewed a wide range of documentation provided by the school. He held several online discussions with the proprietor and the headteacher. A team inspector completed a short visit to the school premises to evaluate aspects of the suitability of the premises and health and safety.

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Inspection team

Michael Reeves, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Chris Smith 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

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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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