Connie Rothman School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Connie Rothman Learning Centre 107–109 Belle Vue Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset BH6 3DJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4  Since the first pre-registration inspection, the proprietor has appointed a new headteacher. The new headteacher is an experienced school leader who understands the needs of the pupils at the school well. The proprietor has also increased the number of qualified teachers employed at the school.  Leaders have written a curriculum policy that demonstrates how pupils will follow a teaching programme that covers a range of subjects. The national curriculum is the basis for their approach. Planned learning is in place across all year groups in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative subject areas.  Teaching staff have written schemes of work that provide more detail about what is to be taught. These schemes of work now cover all subjects across all key stages. Teachers have clear plans, accurately matched to the needs of each pupil.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have appointed experienced and qualified teaching staff. Teachers’ subject knowledge and the one-to-one tutoring approach helps pupils to engage in learning. The new headteacher has systems in place to monitor the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.  The new headteacher has established a system to assess pupils’ progress and achievement. Pupils are assessed on entry to the school to identify what they know and can do, and what they need to learn next. Teachers use ongoing assessment to check pupils’ understanding and adjust their plans as required. This supports pupils to develop academically.  Leaders have detailed and suitable plans to promote pupils’ personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. These plans show that equalities and fundamental British values will be actively promoted.  Leaders have improved the provision of careers advice since the last pre-registration

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Main inspection findings

inspection. Pupils now have access to independent careers advice. Records for current pupils show that they are engaging with the adviser and are receiving appropriate guidance for their aspirations. This includes meetings with people from different industries. For example, the chief engineer of a cruise liner company has come to the school to talk about careers.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  Leaders have planned carefully for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The PSHE curriculum includes opportunities for pupils to broaden their understanding of the world, learn about healthy lifestyles and appreciate views that are different to their own.  Leaders articulate and demonstrate their intent to promote a supportive and inclusive school culture with a strong focus on building relationships based on trust and

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Main inspection findings

respect.  The school’s policies reflect the promotion of fundamental British values. This includes ensuring that pupils are not exposed to partisan political views in teaching or any other activities.  The one-to-one tutoring approach enables staff to increase pupils’ self-esteem and help them to express and manage their emotions.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16  The proprietor has addressed the issues in this part that were identified at the first pre-registration inspection.  Leaders now implement robust pre-employment checks and vetting procedures which are accurately recorded in the single central register.  All staff have the required training in safeguarding. This training is now reinforced through regular updates in staff meetings. Staff are fully aware of their responsibilities regarding safeguarding and are confident in using the school’s procedures for

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Main inspection findings

reporting concerns. The safeguarding policy meets current requirements and is published on the school’s website.  The school’s behaviour policy fosters good relationships between pupils and between staff and pupils. Appropriate sanctions, including the use of exclusion, are in place, and records are maintained on pupils’ individual files. A separate anti-bullying policy is in place.  Since the last pre-registration inspection, the proprietor has appointed a new school business manager. The arrangements for ensuring the health and safety of pupils and staff are now effective. All necessary checks are undertaken, with records maintained by the school business manager.  Leaders keep records about the fire safety of the building. This includes records related to fire drills and the testing of fire detection equipment. Emergency evacuation routes have clear signage and emergency lighting is in place. Leaders have appointed

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Main inspection findings

a fire warden to maintain these standards.  Leaders have a wide range of risk assessments in place. These cover activities in the school’s buildings and off-site activities.  The school has a written first-aid policy. The policy is clear about staff responsibilities and the actions to be taken in the case of an accident. The proprietor provides staff with emergency first-aid training. The first-aid boxes are in place and are well equipped.  The one-to-one approach to teaching and the open-plan teaching areas mean that supervision is adequate in the two buildings. When pupils leave the site, there are risk assessments in place and clear guidelines for supervision by staff.  Leaders manage attendance and admissions using a suitable online system. The system records all the required information.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 18, 19, 20 and 21  Leaders have taken action to address the issues identified during the first pre- registration inspection.  The required checks, related to the suitability of staff to work with children, have been carried out and meet statutory requirements.  The school’s single central record of these checks includes all the information that it should, including for members of the proprietorial body.  Leaders intend to cover any staff absence internally. They do not intend to employ supply staff. However, they know what checks they need to make if they use supply staff.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  The proprietor has added a second site to the school since the last inspection. Both sites are in converted commercial premises. The two sites are a short distance apart.

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Main inspection findings

 The main site is the same as at the time of the first pre-registration inspection. This consists of two teaching areas on the ground floor and a further teaching area in the basement. The second site consists of a single, ground floor teaching area.  At the time of the first pre-registration inspection, there was no identified area for the medical treatment and examination of pupils. Leaders have addressed this issue. At both sites, there is an identified space available for the medical examination and treatment of pupils. At both sites, the spaces are next to toilet facilities. At each site, there is a folding bed available.  At the time of the first pre-registration inspection, there were no changing rooms or showers available for pupils. Leaders have addressed this issue by arranging to use the facilities at a local amateur rugby club for physical education. There are separate changing and showering facilities for boys and girls.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 25  At the time of the last inspection, the arrangements for ensuring the safety of electrical equipment did not meet requirements. There were also concerns about the effectiveness of fire safety equipment and the lack of records of checks and routine evacuations.  Leaders have addressed these issues. The appointment of an experienced school business manager has resulted in all necessary checks being undertaken. Leaders now have records of electrical and fire checks. Leaders also have records of fire evacuation practices. Contracts are in place to ensure that checks take place on a regular basis. Paragraphs 23(1)–23(1)(b), 26–29(1)(b)  At both sites, the teaching areas have adequate acoustic conditions. All rooms have good lighting and natural ventilation.  Both sites are on a main road which is well lit, providing adequate external lighting.  Pupils can access drinking water throughout the day from clearly marked taps.

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Main inspection findings

Handbasins have an adequate supply of cold and hot water. The temperature of the hot water is not scalding.  At both sites, there are separate toilets for boys, girls and staff.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32  Since the first pre-registration inspection, leaders have written an admissions policy and a first-aid policy.  The school’s website makes all the necessary policies available to parents and carers. This includes an up-to-date safeguarding policy and health and safety policy. The contact details for the school and the proprietor are available on the website.  Records of pupils’ progress will be available to parents, local authorities and other relevant agencies for the purpose of reviewing a pupil’s education, health and care (EHC) plan.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 33  The complaints policy clearly sets out the procedures for resolving complaints. The different stages of managing and responding to a complaint, including timescales, are clearly set out.  The policy provides for an independent person to form part of a panel that will hear any complaints.  Leaders plan to keep a confidential record of complaints. These will make clear the findings of each complaint and at which stage the complaint was resolved.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  To meet the requirements of the independent school standards (ISS), following the first pre-registration inspection, the proprietor appointed a new headteacher and a new business manager. Both new postholders are experienced school leaders.  There are now systems in place which meet the requirements for safeguarding and health and safety.

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Main inspection findings

 The new headteacher has established systems of accountability for checking and evaluating the impact of the school’s work.  Leaders now demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to ensure that all the ISS are likely to be met.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The trustees are committed to meeting the needs of all pupils wherever practicable. Leaders have considered how they will adapt the premises, to help all pupils access what the proposed school has to offer. The curriculum and the resources used reflect the proposed school’s inclusive approach.

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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

Type of school Independent special school

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Proprietor Connie Rothman Learning Trust

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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 15 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 30

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 15

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11–19 11–19 11–19 Number of pupils on the school roll 17 30 30

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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 0 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 13 Up to 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 12 Up to 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 12 Up to 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 11.1 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 20 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 2

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Information about this proposed school

 The school is based in two converted commercial units in the Southbourne area of Bournemouth.  Since the first pre-registration inspection in September 2019, the school has acquired a second premises. There is now sufficient space for 30 pupils to attend the school.  Since the first pre-registration inspection, the proprietor has appointed a new headteacher.  The proprietor of the school is the Connie Rothman Learning Trust. The proprietor does not run any other school.  The school intends to cater for pupils between the ages of 11 and 19 years. Most pupils will have a diagnosis of anxiety and autism spectrum disorder.  All the pupils at the school are likely to have EHC plans.  The school does not have any religious character.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was conducted by Ofsted at the request of the Secretary of State for Education. It was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.  This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic of 2020.  This was the proposed school’s second pre-registration inspection. The first pre- registration inspection was on 4 September 2019.  The inspector reviewed documentation related to the curriculum, safeguarding, health and safety of the premises and the suitability of staff.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietary body, the headteacher, the business manager and three teachers.  The school is currently operating. There are 15 pupils on roll; one is a child looked after and almost all have EHC plans. None of them are attending the school for more than 15 hours each week.  No teaching was observed during the inspection.

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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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