Newton Hill Primary School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Newton Hill Primary School Newton Hill Road, Leeds LS7 4JE

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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)(h), 2(2)(i)  The proprietor has ensured there is a written curriculum policy in place. He has also written policy statements for each subject area. The proprietor makes clear in these subject policy statements what resources will be available and how the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities will be met.  The subject offer is broad and includes English, mathematics, history, geography, design technology, art, music, religious education (RE), physical education (PE) and science. The proprietor has provided a detailed scheme of work for each subject.  The proprietor explains in the school’s aims and ethos statement his commitment to developing pupils’ ability to become responsible members of a global community. There is a policy and scheme of work for personal, social, health and citizenship

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Main inspection findings

education which reflects this aim.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j), 4  The proprietor has produced detailed subject documents that show what knowledge and skills he expects pupils to acquire during their time in the school.  The proprietor has prepared documents that show his expectations for how staff will prepare and deliver lessons. He was able to explain how he would model and monitor the practice he expects from his teachers.  The proprietor has ensured there is an assessment framework for staff to implement. The proprietor’s plans include screening checks and a learning ladder for each pupil, which records pupils’ skills and knowledge against key objectives in each subject.  The proprietor is aware of the phonics screening test for key stage 1 pupils and has built this into his assessment framework.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 3, 3(e)  The proprietor has experience in education management and is clear about what he intends the teaching in his school will be like. He can explain how he will supervise staff who are new to the school. However, at the time of the inspection, he had not appointed anyone to deliver certain specialist aspects of the primary curriculum. For example, he had a scheme for the teaching of early reading but had not yet appointed a person who either had expertise in phonics or was available to be trained in that scheme. The proprietor has plans to appoint specialist staff but was not able to provide evidence that the standard relating to subject knowledge could be met at present.  These standards are not 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 proprietor has produced a policy showing how he will provide for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils in the school.  The proprietor has thought about how pupils will be taught to know more about themselves as individuals as well as being considerate of other people. For example, in the personal, social, health and citizenship scheme of work there are lessons which show pupils how to develop relationships. This scheme of work has links to learning resources and play activities.  The proprietor has plans for pupils to go on trips into their local community. He is keen that pupils visit organisations that are important in the local community as well as different places of worship. The planning for these trips can be seen in policy

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Main inspection findings

documents and the schemes of work covering RE and personal, social, health and citizenship lessons.  The proprietor also has plans for pupils to hear from visiting speakers. The proprietor has written a policy to ensure that visiting speakers are clear about how they are expected to behave. The policy states that messages communicated to pupils must be consistent with the ethos of the school and not marginalise any communities, groups or individuals .  The 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 there is a safeguarding policy that is informative and detailed. The safeguarding policy is in line with current statutory guidance.  The proprietor has completed a wide range of safeguarding training, including safer recruitment and designated safeguarding lead training. The proprietor has clear plans of what safeguarding training and induction will be provided to staff when they join the school.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10  The proprietor has ensured that a behaviour policy is in place. The policy provides clear guidance about what is expected from staff. The proprietor has systems in place to record any incidents of misbehaviour.  The proprietor has written a comprehensive anti-bullying policy that explains what will not be tolerated in the school.  The scheme of work for personal, social, health and citizenship education includes

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Main inspection findings

lessons which support the behaviour and anti-bullying policies, such as plans for activities during national anti-bullying week.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 11, 12  The proprietor has written a health and safety policy which shows he is knowledgeable about current health and safety guidance. However, the policy does not reflect the fact that there is a separate school and nursery on the site that has a different proprietor. The health and safety policy does not explain what steps will be taken to ensure that all users of the site will contribute to the health and safety of the site as a whole.  The proprietor explained how access to the school would be separate to that of the other school and the nursery, but this is not written into the health and safety policy at present.  The health and safety policy refers to a caretaker who is currently not in post. While the proprietor has plans to fill this post in the future, there is a gap in this aspect of

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Main inspection findings

site management at present.  The proprietor has produced a fire risk assessment which shows clear evacuation plans and consideration of how to reduce fire risks in his part of the school. However, the fire risk assessment does not explain how the risks linked to the shared use of the building will be managed.  These standards are not likely to be met. Paragraph 13, 14, 15  The proprietor has ensured that there is a first-aid policy that shows how first aid will be administered and what training staff will receive. The proprietor has a system in place for recording any accidents and logging any medicines issued to pupils. The proprietor has provided a well-stocked first-aid box and medicine cupboard.  The proprietor has an admission register in place that shows how all the required information will be recorded when pupils join and leave the school.  The proprietor has ensured there is an attendance policy supported by an attendance

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Main inspection findings

register system.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor has ensured there is a risk assessment policy which is supported by risk assessments for various aspects of school life. For example, the proprietor has included specific risk assessments for use of school equipment, curriculum-based activities, maintenance and cleaning of the site. However, there is no risk assessment that refers to the shared use of the site and how the proprietor will ensure any potential risks are mitigated or reduced.  These standards are not likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3)  The proprietor has ensured that pre-employment checks are completed for all staff and volunteers in line with current government guidance.  The proprietor has attended training in safer recruitment and is clear about his responsibilities when employing school staff. Paragraph 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3)  The proprietor does not anticipate using supply staff. However, he knows how to carry out all the necessary checks on staff if he does have to use staff from an employment agency. Paragraph 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii) 26(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii),

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Main inspection findings

21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 23(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(5), 21(5)(a) 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  The proprietor has ensured that all required checks are completed for members of the governing body.  The proprietor has a central register of information showing all pre-employment checks. This central register will be monitored by the governing body.  The 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)  The proprietor has ensured that suitable toilet facilities are available for pupils. There is one toilet block with four cubicles and washbasins. The toilet block is for girls and boys to share. During the inspection, the proprietor put in an amendment to the original application to the Department for Education (DfE) which stated that the school would be for pupils aged five to seven years.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  The medical room seen on the site visit was located on the first floor and appeared to have been used up until recently by the secondary school that is located on the same site. The floor plan submitted by the proprietor indicated that the ground floor would be for his school and the first floor for the secondary school. During the inspection, the proprietor explained that the proprietor of the secondary school was relocating the

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Main inspection findings

medical room for that school to a different part of the building. However, as the proprietor of the proposed school is not the proprietor of the other school, this move of medical room could not be proven during the inspection.  These standards are not likely to be met. Paragraph 25  The proprietor has ensured that the accommodation that he is responsible for is maintained to an adequate standard. However, the site is shared with another school and a nursery with a different proprietor. The proprietor has not explained in the health and safety policy how checks on the joint use areas of the building will be made. This could affect, for example, the outside fabric of the building or the electric wiring. The proprietor is aware of this and has plans to improve the school’s health and safety policy to take this into account. However, at the time of the inspection, the proprietor had not shown how the safe maintenance of those parts of the building

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Main inspection findings

under joint responsibility would be managed.  This standard is not likely to be met. Paragraphs 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)(a), 29(1)(b)  The classrooms are light and airy with suitable acoustics.  The building has external and emergency lighting.  The proprietor has ensured that pupils are provided with drinking water. The taps are clearly labelled to show where water is suitable for drinking.  There is an adequate supply of hot and cold water in the toilet facilities and the temperature of the water does not pose a scalding risk.  The outside space is sufficient for pupils to play and have PE. The proprietor recognises that the outdoor play area would benefit from some equipment suited to key stage 1 pupils and has plans in place for these improvements.  These standards 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)(d), 32(1)(f), 32(1)(g), 32(1)(h), 32(1)(i), 32(1)(j)  The proprietor has ensured that all required policies are available to parents on request. The website is currently under construction, but the proprietor was able to show his plans for the website during the inspection. The proprietor intends that essential policies and information will be accessible from the school website.  The proprietor has a template ready for reporting to parents. The report tells parents how their child is doing in each subject and their child’s attitude to learning.  The proprietor has a good understanding of the importance of the admission and attendance registers.  The proprietor has included information in the curriculum policy that explains how the needs of pupils with education, health and care plans will be met.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 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), 32(3)(g)  The proprietor has a school website under construction. He intends that his contact details and contact information about the school, headteacher and governors will be available on the school website.  The proprietor has developed policies, as required, and these will be available on the school website or upon request to the school office.  There is no performance data available as the school is not yet open. However, when it is, the proprietor expects to put this on the school website. The proprietor is aware of the need to be careful about publishing information that could identify pupils as he is anticipating taking in small numbers of pupils initially.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

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 proprietor has ensured that a comprehensive complaints policy is in place and will be on the school website for parents to access.  The policy explains each stage of the complaints procedure and what timescales will be followed in response to any complaint.  The 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 the chair of governors are clearly committed to this school and to supporting the needs of the local community. The proprietor has experience of school leadership and has high expectations for his proposed school. However, at the time of the inspection, the issues arising from the shared use of the site were unresolved and the appointment of key staff was at a very early stage.  There are several standards which are unlikely to be met.  Therefore, these standards in Part 8 are unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor is aware of his responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. He has produced an accessibility plan which details a three-year action plan to improve accessibility to the facilities and the curriculum for all pupils.  This standard is likely to be met.

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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

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils n/a 5 to 7 5 to 7 Number of pupils on the school roll n/a 30 30

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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 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities n/a 0

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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 0

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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 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 0 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this proposed school

 Newton Hill Primary School is situated in a large detached property on a quiet road. There is an independent secondary school and a nursery operating in other parts of the building. These have a separate proprietor to Newton Hill Primary School.  The school expects to take admission requests directly from parents.  The school does not have a religious character. The ethos of the school reflects the proprietor’s Islamic faith. However, the school’s curriculum does not have a religious character, neither does its admission policy.  The school does not expect to use any alternative providers.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) 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.  This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection, following the proprietor’s application to open an independent school.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  I held video meetings with the proprietor.  I made a site visit to check the school premises against the independent school standards.  I reviewed policies and documents associated with the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Patricia Head, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school-

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that-

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including-

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils;

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility; and

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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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-

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently;

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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