Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy

School material change inspection report

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Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy 4-6 Park Grove, Manchester M19 3AQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders have a suitable safeguarding policy in place. It is up to date and meets all current statutory requirements. Leaders have put in place all the necessary arrangements to ensure the safeguarding of pupils and to promote their welfare at the school. They have considered pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and their particular vulnerabilities.  There are two identified designated safeguarding leads within school. Other staff are also trained to the designated lead level. Staff receive appropriate safeguarding training. They receive regular updates on areas such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, radicalisation and extremism, sexual exploitation and e-safety. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10  Leaders have detailed behaviour and exclusion policies in place. There is also an appropriate anti-bullying policy. Any incidents of poor behaviour are recorded

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Main inspection findings

effectively. Leaders have identified appropriate and proportionate sanctions. Policies guide staff to seek to de-escalate incidents. Also, staff teach pupils a range of responses and skills to successfully deal with different social situations. Paragraph 11, 12, 13, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Leaders have a written health and safety policy which is appropriately tailored to the premises of the proposed new school building. It complies with all relevant laws. Regular fire safety checks of the premises are planned. The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  Leaders have provided an array of policies to be implemented when the school opens. These include first aid, safety on trips and the administration of medicines. All of these policies reflect and meet statutory requirements.  A written risk assessment policy is in place. Risk assessments already completed show

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Main inspection findings

that leaders plan to take appropriate action to minimise risks to pupils.  The security and safety of pupils have been considered as part of the refurbishment of the building. For example, the proprietor has installed a barrier on the staircase to deter pupils from sliding down the banister. Additionally, written guidance explains how pupils and staff will be expected to behave and move around the school in line with COVID-19 guidance. Paragraph 14  Pupils will be well supervised at all times, including arriving at school, break times and on leaving the premises. Paragraph 15  Leaders have appropriate systems in place to register pupils’ attendance. These allow them to monitor any pupils’ absences effectively. Leaders report on attendance to the chair of the management committee regularly.  The proprietor has published a suitable admissions policy for the school. Systems are in place to ensure that records of admission adhere to the Education (Pupil

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Main inspection findings

Registration) Regulations 2006.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  The proposed new school building is a large, detached Victorian townhouse. The building has been refurbished by the proprietor to an acceptable standard. The ground and first floor accommodation comprise of a dedicated suite of teaching rooms that provide an appropriate learning environment. There is also an art room, small breakout rooms, a library, kitchen, medical room and office space for the school administration.  There are appropriate toilet facilities, including a designated disabled toilet. All toilets can be secured from the inside. There is running hot and cold water. The hot water is

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Main inspection findings

at an appropriate temperature. There are signs indicating that the water is hot and not suitable for drinking. Pupils will have access to drinking water throughout the day via a water fountain.  Pupils will have access to male and female changing and shower rooms at the facility that pupils will attend for physical education (PE) sessions. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  A dedicated medical room has been set aside with suitable washing facilities and easy access to a toilet. A bed, bedding and a first-aid kit are available, together with a secure cupboard for medication. Paragraph 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The proposed accommodation is suitable for teaching and other educational activities. It meets all the requirements for the health, safety and welfare of pupils. This includes suitable acoustics, lighting and heating. Teaching rooms have a suitable source of natural light. The exterior and interior lighting is of an appropriate standard.

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Main inspection findings

 Closed-circuit television recording is operational around the outside of the building and in communal and teaching areas. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  Pupils have access to a small but adequate outdoor space that is safe. It is suitable for pupils to play in when not in lessons. Leaders do not have space on the school site for PE. However, they will continue to access a local leisure facility which has a large open space and includes a football pitch. This will provide ample room for PE in accordance with the school’s curriculum requirements.  All of the standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and headteacher have a secure understanding of the independent school standards. Along with the chair of the management committee, they monitor

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Main inspection findings

compliance regularly.  Leaders demonstrate a high level of experience, knowledge and commitment to providing a good quality of education for pupils with SEND. They actively promote the well-being of pupils.  All of the independent school standards 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

Date of previous standard inspection 10–12 December 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 19 32 32

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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 19 32

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 19 32

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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 2 32

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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 2 32

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 4

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 3 3

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Information about this school

 The previous standard inspection took place in December 2019. There have been no subsequent inspections since this date.

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Information about this inspection

 The proprietor has applied for a material change in order to move the existing school to a new school building. The school has secured larger accommodation to support this material change application.  The Department of Education requested that Ofsted conducts a material change inspection to report against parts 3, 5 and 8 of the independent school standards. The inspector also checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  This was the school’s first material change inspection since the previous inspection in December 2019.  The inspector held discussions with the proprietor and the headteacher. She also met with the chair of the school’s management committee.  The inspector checked the suitability of the proposed new school premises against the relevant independent school standards. She looked at a wide range of documents and policies, including on behaviour, admissions and health and safety. She also checked

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Inspection team

Sue Eastwood, 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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