The Independent Grammar School:Durham

School material change inspection report

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The Independent Grammar School:Durham Claypath, Durham DH1 1RH

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(c), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The school has a clearly written curriculum policy. The same principles that apply to current pupils will apply to the additional age range of 11 to 13-year-olds.  A curriculum plan is in place for each subject for Year 7 and Year 8 pupils. This is aligned with the national curriculum. Resources such as assessment materials and textbooks from the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) will be used.  The personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education policy indicates that pupils will build on their prior learning and cover fundamental British values and the protected characteristics as defined by The Equality Act (2010) alongside health education. The school is currently consulting with parents about the sex and

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Main inspection findings

relationships policy. This aligns with the PSHE curriculum.  The principal has a plan for careers education. This involves using the Gatsby Career Benchmarks. Careers education will be taught within PSHE. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j), 4  The quality of teaching was judged to be good at the school’s previous inspection. The proprietor intends to employ a secondary trained teacher, with subject specialisms to complement the existing staff. The intention is that the older pupils will be taught by a number of staff. Where a subject specialism does not exist, for example in Latin, specialists will be brought in.  Teachers will continue to develop their subject knowledge, for example by taking part in examination board courses. This is to ensure that teachers are aware of GCSE requirements.  The principal has set up a science advisory group, drawing on local expertise. This

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Main inspection findings

expertise is being used to enhance the curriculum. There is a list of resources to be ordered to enable older pupils to carry out more advanced practical work in science. The principal is also in discussions with a local college about the use of purpose-built science laboratories.  A framework for assessment is in place across all age ranges and this will be further developed for the new age range. Reporting to parents will follow the same format as it does currently.  If the material change is approved by the Department for Education (DfE), these standards are likely to continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)  Pupils say that they are taught to respect one another. Through PSHE lessons, they have the opportunity to explore British values and are able to talk confidently about the rule of law and democracy, for example.  Pupils say that there is no bullying in their school because pupils like each other. They have staff to go to if they feel that they are having problems.  The principal intends that spiritual, moral, social and cultural development will be a continuation of what pupils are taught currently, building aspects in an age- appropriate way. For example, when considering relationships and sex education, the principal is following statutory requirements while considering the needs of pupils.  There is a clear policy for using external speakers in school. Thorough checks are

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Main inspection findings

made to ensure that any presentations do not undermine British values and offer a balance of views.  If the material change is approved by the DfE, these standards are likely to continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has ensured that there is a safeguarding policy in place at the school and this is available on the school website. Some minor updates to this policy were carried out during this inspection.  The principal completed refresher training for his role as designated safeguarding lead recently. All staff have had training relating to Keeping Children Safe in Education (2020). There are simple processes in place for staff to report any safeguarding concerns to the principal.  The welfare and safety of pupils at this school is well considered. The principal spoke with confidence about the additional risks older pupils may face and the actions that could be taken to mitigate these risks; for example, risks associated with the use of social media.  If the material change is approved by the DfE, these standards are likely to continue

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Main inspection findings

to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18, 19, 20, 21  The principal has made the necessary checks to ensure that staff who work at the school are safe to work with children. At the time of this inspection, the principal was carrying out final checks on a recent addition of a member to the school board.  These checks are recorded electronically on a single central record.  If the material change is approved by the DfE, these standards are likely to continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)(c)  The proprietor has had a shower installed to meet this standard.  Separate changing areas are available for boys and girls over the age of 11.  If the material change is approved by the DfE, these standards are likely to be met.

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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 principal and proprietor work together to ensure that the independent school standards are met consistently. They have carried out an audit of the standards and the principal keeps this audit up to date.  The principal has a clear idea of how he wishes to build the curriculum to meet the needs of the older pupils. This is coupled with an appropriate plan for assessment and continuation of current policies to check the quality of teaching and education.  Leaders are knowledgeable about safeguarding and are open to the notion that ‘it could happen here’. Safeguarding is an agenda item at every meeting.  If the material change is approved by the DfE, these standards are likely to continue to be met.

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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

Proprietor The Education Partnership (UK) Ltd

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 26–28 March 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 4 to 11 4 to 13 4 to 13

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 65 65 65

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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 65 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 8 Up to 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 1 Up to 5

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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 0 Up to 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 5 6

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Information about this school

 The Independent Grammar School is located in church premises in Durham City.  The proprietors are The Education Partnership (UK) Ltd, comprising four directors. One of the directors is the headteacher of the school.  There are 47 pupils at the school. They are taught as two classes.  The previous standard inspection combined with a material change inspection took place in March 2019 and the school was judged to be good in all areas.  The school does not use any alternative education provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE after the school applied to increase the age range of pupils from 11 to 13 years old.  This was the second material change inspection at this school. The first took place alongside the standard inspection in March 2019, when the proprietor sought to increase the age range of pupils from 10 to 11 years old. This material change was approved by the DfE.  The inspector met with the principal, two proprietors and a small group of pupils remotely. She made a visit to the school at the end of the school day to carry out the premises check. Policies were also reviewed as part of this inspection.

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Inspection team

Debbie Redshaw, 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 1231, 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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