Oxford International College

School material change inspection report

p.1

Oxford International College 1-5 London Place, Oxford OX4 1BD

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11 and 32(1)(c)  Students are safe and their well-being promoted very well. The safeguarding and child protection policy is modelled on the Oxfordshire County Council document and is published on the school’s website. It is personalised for the school and meets all current statutory requirements.  The policy includes sections on dealing with disclosures, peer-on-peer abuse, female genital mutilation, child sexual exploitation and preventing radicalisation and extremism.  The section on roles and responsibilities is full and detailed. Designated safeguarding leads and the nominated safeguarding governor are identified. Staff have received all relevant training, including issues such as upskirting, online safety and child sexual exploitation.  Although the school does not cater for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities, vulnerable students are well supported. Individual students are identified

p.1

Main inspection findings

and looked after very well.  Leaders have a written health and safety policy. This policy is supported by others covering first aid, safety on trips and the administration of medicines. These policies reflect and meet statutory requirements. They are regularly reviewed and updated.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) approves the material change. Paragraphs 12, 14, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The premises have regular fire safety checks. The proprietor body ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire equipment is regularly tested.  Fire safety checks for the new annex in Alfred Street are thorough and wide ranging. Fire evacuation procedures are clear and posted in all rooms. Fire exits are clearly labelled, and emergency lighting checked.  Students are always well supervised. There is a planned increase in staff numbers to

p.1

Main inspection findings

accommodate the extra students. This includes boarding house staff and extra staff to cover the new annex.  Comprehensive risk assessments show that leaders take appropriate actions to minimise risks. Electrical testing is regularly undertaken. Window openers are frequently monitored. An asbestos risk assessment identifies very low risk issues regarding floor tiles.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve the material change requested. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18, 20 and 21  The single central record is well presented and thoughtfully documented. Information is collected methodically and systematically in line with best practice. The school uses additional checks for staff coming from abroad.  The single central record covers all staff who are working in the school. This includes

p.2

Main inspection findings

governors, teaching staff, boarding staff, student mentors and contractors, including catering, cleaning, driving and security staff.  The principal does not expect to use supply staff, but records can be easily extended to carry out such checks if necessary.  Leaders involved in staff recruitment undertake appropriate training. They understand and follow statutory guidance on the safer recruitment of staff. This includes obtaining suitable references, checking qualifications and investigating gaps in employment history.  The school is likely to continue to meet the requirements in Part 4 if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29  In anticipation of increased numbers, the proprietor body have acquired another teaching site in central Oxford. The building offers eight further classrooms. The existing building has been reconfigured to provide six extra classrooms.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 The premises are furnished and decorated to a very high standard. All parts of the accommodation have suitable acoustics, lighting and heating. The school has a range of good-sized classrooms and social spaces. These can accommodate the proposed increase in student numbers. Exterior and interior lighting are of an appropriate standard. Outside areas are well maintained.  Leaders have ensured that there are enough toilets for the number of students proposed. There are separate boys’ and girls’ toilets, as well as separate toilets for staff and visitors.  Hot- and cold-water washing facilities are available for students. The temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk. Drinking water is available in the kitchen and around the school. Sources of drinking water are clearly labelled.  The school uses facilities at the local sports centre for physical education. All students have membership of the university sporting facilities. Leaders ensure that students

p.2

Main inspection findings

have appropriate access to changing and shower facilities.  At the main site, there is a medical room for students if they become unwell or injured while at school. The medical room is self-contained with a portable bed, washing facilities and an adjoining toilet.  The medical room at the Alfred Street annex does not meet requirements as there is no washing facility and no nearby toilet. The school is converting one of the old classrooms but, at the time of this inspection, this was unfinished.  Both school buildings have enough space and suitable classrooms to accommodate the proposed increase in the number of students. However, the lack of medical facilities at Alfred Street means that standards in this part are not yet fully met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders, including the proprietor body, have worked hard to prepare for the proposed

p.3

Main inspection findings

expansion of the school. They have acquired and refurbished additional teaching premises and two new boarding houses.  Leaders show skills, knowledge and expertise appropriate to their role. This has enabled them to make sure that almost all the independent school standards that were looked at as part of the inspection were met.  Arrangements for the medical facilities at the Alfred Street annex have not been completed in a timely manner. The room is planned, but there are still no washing facilities and no nearby toilet.  The proprietor body has not ensured that all standards are likely to be met if the material change application is approved

p.3

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 that are relevant to the material change, as set out in the annex of this report.

p.4

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 compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

p.5

School details

School status Independent boarding school

p.5

School details

Proprietor Oxford International Education Group

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 19–21 November 2019

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 14 to 19 not applicable not applicable

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 240 300 300

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 240 300

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

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

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils an education, health and care plan 0 0

p.6

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 0 0

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 29 38

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 16 24

p.6

Information about this school

 Oxford International College is a co-educational, independent boarding school offering education for students aged 14 to 19 years old. The school was taken over by the Oxford International Education Group in April 2019.  Most students are from Hong Kong, with smaller numbers from Malaysia, Korea, Britain, China, Singapore and Thailand. The school offers GCSE, AS and A2 level courses, as well as courses in English.  The school is currently registered for 160 students, but at the time of this inspection had 240 students on roll. The school was last inspected in November 2019, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be good.  To accommodate the proposed increase in numbers, the school has opened two new boarding houses and a new teaching annex at 1 Alfred Street, Oxford OX1 4EH. This annex will be used for students aged 14 to 16 years of age.  The school does not admit students with special educational needs and/or disabilities

p.6

Information about this school

or who have education, health and care plans. The school does not use any other alternative providers.

p.7

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 from 160 to 300 students. At the time of the inspection, there were 240 students on roll.  The DfE commissioned Ofsted to carry out this material change inspection. The commission included all the relevant regulations in Parts 4, 5 and 8, and selected requirements in Part 3 of the independent school standards.  The purpose of the inspection was to check whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the requested material change is approved and implemented.  This inspection was undertaken during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic of 2020. The lead inspector conducted an on-site visit to meet leaders and tour the new annex. All activities were completed in a way that maintained social distancing.  The lead inspector reviewed documentation and actions taken to safeguard students

p.7

Information about this inspection

and promote their welfare, health and safety. The review included school policies and leaders’ risk assessments, as well as the school’s employment checks.

p.7

Inspection team

Paul Metcalf, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

p.7

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-

p.8

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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

p.8

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.

p.8

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).

p.8

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-

p.8

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;

p.8

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. 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 .

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

p.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

p.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9