Tennis Avenue School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Tennis Avenue School Manor Park, Off Malden Road, New Malden KT3 6AU

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders aim to combine intensive tennis training with a high level of academic learning. Pupils will be selected solely on their tennis ability. Leaders have developed an appropriate curriculum policy which considers the needs of pupils aged from eight to 16 years.  Leaders have planned a suitably broad curriculum which covers all the required areas of learning. The daily timetable will be split between tennis training and academic learning. Detailed schemes of work are in place for all subjects and for all year groups. Curriculum maps show how pupils will build up knowledge and skills over time. Creative and aesthetic education is woven through the curriculum.  Leaders have appropriate plans to assess pupils’ progress and attainment. They intend to use this information to personalise work for each pupil. Pupils will be placed in small classes according to their ability, not age.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has detailed plans in place to promote pupils’ personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education effectively. This is an integral part of the school’s curriculum that reflects the school’s aims and ethos.  As aspiring professional tennis players, pupils have a comprehensive programme for physical education. Pupils will learn about the importance of maintaining physical and mental health, and discuss topics such as nutrition and the dangers of smoking and drugs.  Leaders have planned age-appropriate careers guidance for all pupils. An external careers adviser will be commissioned to provide pupils with impartial advice and guidance. Leaders have ensured that pupils will receive the necessary information on careers beyond the world of tennis.  Leaders have suitable plans to ensure the quality of teaching and assessment. As a former headteacher, the chair of governors will support the headteacher in monitoring

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Main inspection findings

and training teaching staff.  The standards contained in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  Leaders have written suitable plans which show that pupils will be provided with opportunities to explore and develop their own values, beliefs and spiritual awareness. Pupils can debate and discuss current affairs and wide-ranging topics in the weekly ‘mental fitness’ session.  The promotion of British values is explicitly outlined in the school’s policy and PSHE education programme. Equality is at the heart of the school’s ethos. Leaders’ plans show that they intend for pupils to understand that everyone is to be judged on individual merit, regardless of their background. Pupils will learn about all the protected characteristics.  The PSHE education programme is well planned and comprehensive. Tennis tournaments and trips are highlighted as further opportunities for pupils to explore other places, beliefs and cultures.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have written clear guidance for staff to ensure that no partisan views are promoted and that ideas are presented in a balanced manner.  The standards contained in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  Leaders understand the safeguarding considerations that are specific to this school. They have clear and appropriate procedures to identify and manage risks and concerns about pupils.  Policies are in place that cover safeguarding, child protection, anti-bullying, behaviour, first aid, supervision, admissions, and health and safety. All policies comply with requirements.  The safeguarding policy is sufficiently detailed. The school has a named designated safeguarding lead and deputy safeguarding lead who have received relevant training. Leaders have planned appropriate training for when staff join the school.  Suitable arrangements are in place to supervise pupils when they are on and off the school site. Leaders have carefully planned for trips to tennis tournaments, for example, both nationally and internationally.  All leaders and staff are trained first aiders. Each area of the school has a well-stocked

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Main inspection findings

first-aid kit, including portable kits for the tennis courts.  The behaviour policy sets out the school’s core values and expectations. It explains different types of unacceptable behaviour, sanctions and rewards. Flow charts to help staff deal with any bullying or poor behaviour are easy to follow. The school has a dedicated email account for pupils to report any bullying.  The standards contained in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  Leaders have a clear understanding of safer recruitment. They have up-to-date knowledge of the statutory checks for all staff, including supply staff. The single central record is already in place. Leaders have credible processes to ensure that the relevant checks are completed prior to a member of staff starting work at the school.  The standards contained in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school premises are situated in an attractive, open park space and comprise of two buildings and eight tennis courts. The main building is a converted clubhouse, which includes two classrooms and a kitchen. Leaders have planning permission to extend the premises to provide further space. The premises can accommodate the proposed number of pupils comfortably.  Male and female showers, toilets and changing areas are located in a separate building which is leased from the local authority. The school has exclusive use of these areas from Monday to Friday. Adults access separate toilet facilities.  The school’s premises are safe, clean and well maintained. Classrooms are well lit, bright and airy.  All drinking water is clearly labelled. At the time of the on-site inspection, hot water was not available. A letter from the local authority confirms that the hot water supply

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Main inspection findings

is currently turned off due to the restricted use of the building as a result of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The supply will be reinstated once restrictions are lifted.  Leaders have installed two medical rooms, one in each building. Both have suitable facilities.  The standards contained in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  The school’s website is in place and all the necessary policies are available to parents and carers, including an up-to-date safeguarding policy. The contact details for the school and the proprietor are available on the website.  Leaders have ensured that appropriate procedures are in place to report on pupils’ progress and attainment to parents.  The standards contained in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  Leaders have written a complaints policy which is published on the school’s website. The policy sets out the informal and formal stages of the complaints process. It is clearly written and provides reasonable time frames within which complaints will be handled.  The standards contained in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  The school is likely to meet all requirements. Leaders show a good understanding of the independent school standards. They are clear about how they will implement and monitor all the required policies.  The headteacher has experience of running the on-site tuition that the school previously offered. She is well supported by the proprietor and chair of governors, who have suitable experience and expertise.  Leaders have due regard for pupils’ well-being and are fully aware of their statutory duty to safeguard pupils. They have received the necessary training which will help them to fulfil their duties.  The standards contained in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have written a suitable accessibility plan and an equality and inclusion policy. They aim to improve access to the premises. Leaders can demonstrate how they will amend the curriculum to meet pupils’ particular needs. They intend to update their plan at appropriate intervals.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £9,000 to £11,400

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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n

Age range of pupils Not applicable 8 to 16 8 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 40 40

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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 All pupils

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable Up to five

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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 None

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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 None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 8

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 3

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Information about this proposed school

 Tennis Avenue School intends to register as an independent school, providing full-time education for aspiring professional tennis players.  It is not currently operating as a school but provides part-time tennis coaching as Tennis Avenue Academy.  Leaders intend that the school will open in September 2020.  The school will be led by the proprietors, one of whom will also be the headteacher, and a chair of governors.  The school does not intend to make use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education 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.  This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection under this application. A pre-registration visit for a previous application took place in November 2018.  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.  I reviewed a wide range of documentation, including the single central record, safeguarding information, school policies and curriculum information. The on-site inspection involved a tour of the premises and a meeting with the proprietors/school leaders. The inspector also contacted the proprietors via email and telephone to

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Inspection team

Jude Wilson, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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