New Level Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

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New Level Academy Third Floor, Ujima House, 388 Wembley High Road, London HA9 6AR

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  At the previous progress monitoring inspection in January 2020, the school’s safeguarding policy did not reflect the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The policy made reference to a designated leader for safeguarding who had left the school. Leaders did not have a sharp understanding of how to keep pupils safe from harm, especially in terms of the latest guidance.  The safeguarding policy has been updated. It now takes account of the latest guidance from the Secretary of State. It has accurate information, and staff have attended external safeguarding training. Leaders have shared the September 2020 updated guidance with staff. The headteacher has updated the safeguarding policy further in light of this guidance. He has commissioned training for staff on the new guidance. Leaders have a sound understanding of how to keep pupils safe from harm. There is a strong

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Main inspection findings

culture of vigilance. Leaders work closely with parents and external agencies to promote pupils’ safety.  The independent school standard is now met. Paragraph 12  At the previous progress monitoring inspection, leaders had not ensured that the school complied with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) order 2005. The required checks on the emergency lighting were not taking place and none were recorded. Required certification was not in place and the proprietor had not taken responsibility for fire safety on its floor of the premises.  In response, leaders commissioned a specialist emergency lighting inspection. They now have the required certification. Leaders make a daily check of the emergency lighting and a weekly fire alarm test. All checks and tests are recorded. The proprietor attended fire marshal training in February 2020. This was arranged by the building’s management agency for a representative of each floor in the building. Thereafter, the proprietor

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Main inspection findings

undertook a fire risk assessment for the floor used by the school. A few minor weaknesses were identified. The proprietor took swift action to rectify these issues.  The independent school standard is now met. Paragraph 15  At the previous progress monitoring inspection, the school’s admission register did not include pupils’ sex or full details of their previous schools. Therefore, it was not compliant with statutory requirements.  This inspection found that leaders have updated the admissions register. It now records all the required information and is compliant with statutory requirements.  The independent school standard is now met. Paragraph 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  At the previous progress monitoring inspection, a risk assessment policy was in place. However, it was not relevant or suitable for the school, as it appeared to have been copied from elsewhere.  This inspection found that the updated risk assessment policy is bespoke to the school.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders revise risk assessments to take account of emerging dangers. For instance, a new section in the risk assessment for off-site sport details the practices needed to keep pupils and staff safe from COVID-19 (coronavirus). The independent school standard is now met.  The independent school standards checked in this part are now met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  At the previous progress monitoring inspection, the school did not have a suitable medical room facility.  This inspection found that the proprietor has designated suitable accommodation to function as a medical room. There is a sign on the door to show it is a medical room. Leaders have equipped it with a first-aid box, a bed, a portable working sink and soap. The room is a short distance from the toilets.  The independent school standards checked in this part are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34, 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), and 34(1)(c)  At the previous progress monitoring inspection, leaders had made little progress in tackling the deficiencies identified in August 2019. There was a serious lack of attention to detail. This compromised quality, compliance and potentially pupils’ safety.  This inspection found that after the previous inspection, the proprietor acted quickly to address the unmet standards. Leaders implemented all the actions identified in the approved action plan that he submitted to the registering authority. The headteacher has established a system for reviewing the school’s policies and procedures. This helps him ensure consistent compliance with statutory requirements. The proprietor makes sure that there is a strong culture of safeguarding and pastoral care. Vulnerable pupils who join this provision are supported well by staff.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has made an application to the Department for Education for an increase in pupil numbers from 16 to 20. The proposed teaching rooms are large and can comfortably accommodate 20 pupils. There is adequate space for small group support and for socialising. The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented.  The independent school standards checked in this part are now met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7 (b); such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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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.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.

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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– – 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 – 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– – 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; – 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 – 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 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34 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– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 0

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £7,500 – £13,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16–18 January 2018

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Information about this school

 New Level Academy is a small independent school and alternative provider for pupils in the London Borough of Brent.  The school provides permanent school placements and temporary alternative provision for up to 16 boys and girls with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school works with pupils excluded from, or at risk of exclusion from, schools in the vicinity. Most pupils are dual registered. Very few pupils have education, health and care plans. The number of pupils on roll has decreased since the previous inspection.  The school makes no use of alternative provision. However, pupils attend physical education sessions at the boxing gym which is located within the same building as the school (Stonebridge Boxing Club) and football sessions at Powerleague, Wembley, HA9 0EG.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in January 2018.  Leaders have decided not to pursue any application to extend their age range.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This was the school’s second progress monitoring inspection. It was conducted with 30 minutes’ notice. The school was asked to submit an action plan after its first monitoring inspection in January 2020. The action plan was judged by Ofsted as acceptable in April 2020, and subsequently accepted by the Department for Education (DfE).  The DfE requested that the inspector consider whether particular independent school standards contained within Parts 3, 5, and 8 are now met.  The school’s request for a material change to increase pupil numbers was also assessed as a part of this inspection.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body, who is also the headteacher. He toured the school’s premises, checked the single central register of vetting checks and considered a range of documentation in relation to safeguarding, health and safety and risk assessment.  There were insufficient responses to Ofsted’s online survey (Parent View) to consider as part of this inspection.

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Inspection team

David Radomsky, lead inspector Ofsted 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

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.

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Inspection team

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 .

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Inspection team

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.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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

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