KWS School

KWS Educational Services 23-25 & 51 Brunel Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK41 9TJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The safeguarding policy meets the published statutory guidance. Leaders have written a new policy that considers the latest version of the guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ that comes into force in September 2020. Leaders’ plans for staff training detail how they will ensure staff are aware of, and understand, the changes in this guidance.  Staff, the proprietor and chair of trustees receive appropriate and regular training so that they can identify the signs that a pupil is at risk of harm. All training is up to date. Leaders have ensured that clear procedures are in place for staff to report concerns. Records show that staff are confident to do so and that concerns are acted upon swiftly.  The designated safeguarding leader (DSL) is knowledgeable and has had the training

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Main inspection findings

required to fulfil her role. She demonstrates a strong understanding of the specific risks that pupils attending the school face. Referrals to external agencies are made appropriately and in a timely fashion.  Leaders ensure that staff are alert to risks, such as criminal exploitation, that are particularly pertinent to pupils attending the school. Leaders have ensured that robust procedures are in place to ensure the welfare, health and safety of any pupils who attend alternative provision or who are temporarily not attending full-time provision.  Leaders’ reflection on the arrangements made to ensure the safeguarding and welfare of pupils during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has informed their decision to request an increase to a lower capacity than that stated in their original proposal.  Leaders have thought carefully about how safeguarding arrangements will be maintained with an increased capacity. Procedures are in place to provide additional

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Main inspection findings

staff recruited with appropriate training so that they can keep pupils safe from harm. Training to ensure an additional leader is trained to the same level as the DSL has already been arranged.  The school has a website that includes its safeguarding policy. This and other policies and procedures that promote pupils’ welfare are shared routinely with parents.  The school is likely to meet this standard if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 11 and Paragraph 12  Leaders have written a health and safety policy that is specific to the school. This policy and related documents are suitably detailed and refer to the most recent guidance and legislation. Leaders have maintained these documents to reflect changing circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.  The proprietor and school leaders understand their responsibilities regarding health and safety. A schedule of checks is in place to ensure that equipment in the school is maintained and does not pose a health and safety hazard.  Leaders ensure that staff are up to date with health and safety training.  Leaders have the required measures in place to ensure fire safety. This includes a room the school currently leases in Milton Keynes. Fire evacuation procedures are clear. All fire exits are clearly marked and are not obstructed. Fire protection equipment is regularly tested and serviced. Appropriate checks are made on

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Main inspection findings

equipment and alarms.  The school is likely to meet these standards if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 14  Arrangements for supervising pupils have been thoughtfully considered. Leaders ensure these take into account the needs of individual pupils as well as generic risks.  Teaching is mainly in small groups, led by teachers who are supported by teaching assistants. All pupils have a key worker.  Leaders have thought carefully about arrangements for supervising a larger number of pupils. They identified the need to recruit four additional members of staff to provide what they consider to be appropriate numbers to supervise pupils in lessons and at other times during the school day.  Leaders’ arrangements for pupils returning in September reflect the latest guidance regarding COVID-19 in educational settings. Having taken these arrangements into account, leaders have amended their request for an increase in capacity to 25 pupils to ensure appropriate levels of supervision in the current accommodation.

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Main inspection findings

 The school is likely to meet this standard if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  A written risk assessment policy is in place. A wide range of risk assessments have been written which are specific to sites used by the school and activities carried out. Leaders have carefully considered the risks associated with use of the alternative provision and accommodation in Milton Keynes. They have identified these risks and have appropriate actions in place to manage them.  Leaders have ensured that the relevant standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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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) Paragraph 19(2), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3) 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), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c) Paragraph 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  Leaders ensure that the checks required to confirm that adults are safe to work with pupils are carried out thoroughly. Leaders' recruitment processes enable them to be confident that they appoint people suitable to work at the school.

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Main inspection findings

 The school does not currently use supply staff. However, leaders know the checks that they should carry out to ensure supply staff are safe to work in the school. Leaders know how these should be recorded.  The proprietor ensures that trustees are subject to the checks required for their role.  The single central register of the checks required is accurately maintained.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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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), Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), Paragraph 25, Paragraph 26, Paragraph 27, 27(a), 27(b), Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  Suitable toilet facilities are provided for pupils. These facilities are individual toilets that are lockable from the inside. The school uses facilities at Bedford International Athletics Stadium for physical education (PE). Leaders ensure that pupils have appropriate access to changing and shower facilities.  The school has a medical room that is appropriate for the treatment and short-term care of sick or injured pupils. Washing and toilet facilities are close by. Suitable arrangements have been made for the care of any pupil who is sick or injured while attending the room used for mentoring in Milton Keynes.

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Main inspection findings

 All accommodation used by the school is well maintained. Classrooms and workshops are clean and tidy. They are adequately furnished and resourced.  Leaders have considered the maximum numbers of pupils that can occupy classrooms and workshops for different activities. They have given careful thought to how they will adapt the timetabling of room use if the material change is granted. In light of this, leaders now judge that a capacity of 25 pupils would be more appropriate given the school’s current accommodation to ensure safe working. This takes into account the most recent government guidance about how to keep pupils safe during the COVID-19 period.  The acoustics of the buildings visited are adequate. There is suitable internal and external lighting provided.  Drinking water is available in the canteen, tea point and kitchen areas in the school. Drinking water is also available in the room used for mentoring in Milton Keynes.

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Main inspection findings

Sources of drinking water are labelled clearly.  Hot and cold water washing facilities are available for pupils’ use. The temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk to users.  There is a grassed outdoor space at the rear of the school. Pupils are supervised when making use of this during breaks and lunchtime. Pupils are also able to make use of open space in a local park, under staff supervision, for physical activities and play at lunchtimes.  PE takes place at Bedford International Athletic Stadium. The school has its own PE equipment for pupils’ use, which is stored securely at this site.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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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, headteacher and chair of trustees have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards. This is reflected by the school consistently meeting the independent school standards at previous inspections.  Leaders seek examples of good practice and consider how they can improve further the quality of provision. They make effective use of networks with leaders in other schools and external sources’ professional development and advice to inform their improvement plans.  Since submitting their application, the proprietor and headteacher have thought through carefully the implications of increasing the school’s capacity, especially in light of government guidance regarding arrangements related to COVID-19. They have judged that to maintain the school’s ethos and quality of provision, and to make

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Main inspection findings

effective use of the school’s present accommodation, a capacity of 25 full-time pupils is more appropriate.  Leaders are committed to keeping pupils safe. Pupils’ welfare, health and well-being are given a high priority. This is evident from the emphasis given to pupils’ personal development through the curriculum and pastoral support. Leaders ensure that the school’s policies and procedures reflect pupils’ needs and the school’s location and context.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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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

Email address sarah.nichols- weaver@kwseducational.co.uk Date of previous standard inspection 3–5 July 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 11 to 18 11 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 16 30 25

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recommendation

Reason for inspector's recommendations Prior to COVID-19 restrictions, the school had reached its registered capacity of 20 pupils. Over time, leaders have carefully managed growth to this capacity. An increase to 30 pupils would be a 50% increase on the school’s current capacity. Since submitting the application, leaders have identified that, even with additional staff and changes to the timetabled use of workshops and classrooms, the school cannot accommodate more than 25 pupils and continue to meet the independent school standards. Inspectors agree with this evaluation. Leaders’ plans to manage an increase to a capacity of 25 pupils are appropriate and well thought through.

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 13 25

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 16 Not yet determined

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 16 Not yet determined

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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 15 Not yet determined

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 7

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 2 3

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Information about this school

 KWS Educational Services is an independent day school. The school is situated on a light industrial estate. At the time of this inspection, the school also leased accommodation in Milton Keynes. This was used to provide short mentoring sessions for any pupil attending the alternative provision used by the school. The lease for this accommodation was due to end imminently.  The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned Ofsted to consider the proprietor’s request for a material change in January 2015. The inspector judged the school as not likely to meet all of the independent school standards. However, the subsequent action plan indicated that, subject to proper implementation, the school would be likely to meet the standards. As a result, the DfE increased the school’s age range to 11 to 18 years and increased its capacity to 20 pupils.  The school’s most recent standard inspection was in July 2019. Overall effectiveness

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Information about this school

was judged to be good. All independent school standards were met. The school has consistently met all independent school standards at previous standard inspections.  Pupils are both referred and funded by their local authority or attend from other local schools on a part-time basis.  The school caters for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 18 years. At the time of the inspection no girls were on roll. Most pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Pupils typically have education, health and care plans. Most pupils have a range of complex social, emotional and mental health needs.  Most pupils arrive with histories of poor attendance and having experienced disruption to their education, have been excluded from their previous schools or have been vulnerable to permanent exclusion.  The school does not make use of agency staff.  The school makes use of alternative provision from Milton Keynes Christian

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Information about this school

Foundation. This provision is registered as an adult and community learning provider and is inspected by Ofsted.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was carried out at the request of the DfE. The school requested that their maximum permitted number be increased to 30 pupils. At the time of the inspection, following recent government guidance related to COVID-19, the proprietor decided to amend the request to 25 pupils.  The purpose of the inspection was to evaluate whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the requested material change is approved and implemented.  This 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 and to reduce the risk of spreading infection during the COVID-19 outbreak.  The lead inspector conducted an on-site visit to meet the proprietor, headteacher and designated safeguarding leader. He also completed a tour of the premises used by the

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Information about this inspection

school in Bedford and Milton Keynes. These activities were completed in a way that maintained social distancing.  Inspectors reviewed documentation and actions taken to safeguard pupils and promote their well being, health and safety, including leaders’ risk assessments.  Inspectors completed telephone interviews or online meetings with the headteacher, the proprietor, the chair of trustees, leaders from the alternative provision used by the school, and a representative of the local authority.  There were no pupils present when the inspection took place, as the inspection occurred outside of term time.

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Inspection team

Paul Wilson, lead inspector Her Majesty's Inspector

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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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Inspection team

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