Landmark International School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Landmark International School 9 Church Lane, Fulbourn, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB21 5EP

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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)  This standard was not met at the school’s full inspection in January 2020. This was because leaders had not ensured that there were curriculum plans in place for all subjects. Leaders had not set out what they wanted pupils to learn and by when.  Since the previous inspection, the curriculum policy has been rewritten. Curriculum plans across year groups have been subject to a thorough review. Parents have access to curriculum overviews and detailed schemes of work, which are published on the school’s website.  Teachers’ planning sets out clear milestones for what pupils are expected to learn and by when. Activities are designed to build on pupils’ previous learning and to help them to make connections with the things they are studying in other subjects. Teachers’ regular checks on learning help to identify any extra support which pupils need to catch up.

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Main inspection findings

 A high priority is placed on ensuring that pupils have access to a broad curriculum. During the national restrictions, due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), leaders have taken steps to ensure that the learning for pupils studying at home is closely matched to the learning in school. Pupils have enjoyed literary festivals and opportunities to speak to authors online.  In the early years, appropriate emphasis is placed on the teaching of reading. The books that children read are closely matched to the sounds and letters that they are learning. This helps them to remember more of what they have learned.  Leaders have ensured that the requirements for this standard are now met. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d)  This standard was not met at the January 2020 inspection. This was because it was not clear what leaders wanted pupils to learn, or how learning would be planned so that pupils build on prior knowledge year on year. Pupils did not get enough opportunities to

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Main inspection findings

apply their writing skills, such as grammar, handwriting and punctuation, through independent writing tasks. They were not given enough opportunities to write in subjects such as history and geography, especially in Year 3 to Year 6.  Since the previous inspection, as part of the curriculum review, leaders have checked to ensure that teachers’ learning plans provide pupils with enough opportunities to write in all year groups and subjects. A strong focus is placed on the accuracy of pupils’ spelling, punctuation and grammar in their writing.  Teachers’ raised expectations ensure that primary pupils are challenged to practise writing skills in subjects beyond their English lessons, including in history and geography. In mathematics, primary pupils keep a diary which provides a reminder of how they have used their mathematical knowledge and skills to solve the problems set. In secondary science, Year 10 students used their understanding of writing for a purpose and for

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Main inspection findings

different audiences using their knowledge of the journey of water through a plant.  Teachers make regular checks on what pupils already know and what else they need to learn, or aspects of the subject that need to be revisited.  Leaders have ensured that the requirements for this standard are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b) Paragraph 32(1), 32 (1), 32 (1)(c)  The safeguarding requirements relating to this standard were met at the previous inspection and this remains the case.  The school’s safeguarding arrangements are effective. The safeguarding policy is on the school’s website. It has been updated to reflect the most recent guidance from the Department for Education (DfE).  Safeguarding is a high priority. Staff training is regularly updated in line with statutory requirements. Recent training covered online safety when planning learning for pupils

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Main inspection findings

studying remotely from home.  The school team and trustees are mindful of their responsibilities to protect the pupils in their care. Effective links are established with external agencies as required. Safeguarding records are appropriately maintained.  Leaders have ensured that these standards continue to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii),

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Main inspection findings

21(3)(b), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  These standards were met at the full inspection in January 2020. This remains the case.  The single central register of pre-employment checks on staff contains the required information.  Leaders have ensured that these standards continue to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  This standard was not met at the previous inspection because leaders, including those responsible for governance, were not ensuring that all the independent school standards were met. The proprietor had not ensured that those responsible for governance fulfilled their responsibilities well enough.  Since the previous inspection, governors have undertaken further training. A new chair of the board of trustees and three new governors have been appointed. The extended team has a broad range of expertise, including in the provision of education. The

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Main inspection findings

education committee oversees the work of the school, reporting back to the main trust board.  School leaders are now routinely reviewing the quality of education, through lesson visits and regular checks on pupils’ learning. These checks on pupils’ learning are helping leaders to identify good practice which can be shared, and aspects of further staff training needed so that the quality of education continues to improve.  The work of the education committee is helping to raise expectations of what pupils can achieve and the importance of connecting learning across key stages.  A review of parents’ views has helped senior leaders to make adjustments to the provision of remote education, so that it is now better matched to pupils’ and families’ needs.  Leaders have ensured that this standard is 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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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

Proprietor Landmark International School, Cambridge

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £11,820 to £14,190

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School details

Website www.landmarkinternationalschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28–30 January 2020

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Information about this school

 Landmark International School is an independent day school. It opened in September 2016. Since opening, the school has amended its registration with the DfE to provide education for pupils from Reception age. The school is now registered for 100 pupils between the ages of four and 16 years.  Pupils join the school at different points during the academic year and at different stages of their education.  Around a quarter of pupils are identified as having special educational needs and/or disabilities.  Almost half of the pupils that attend the school are bilingual and 12% of current pupils speak English as an additional language.  There are no pupils identified as disadvantaged.  The school does not use supply staff.  The proprietor body is Landmark International School, Cambridge, a registered charity.  The new headteacher started at the school in September 2019. – In March 2017, Ofsted conducted the school’s first standard inspection. The school

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Information about this school

was judged good and all the independent school standards were met. – In June 2018, Ofsted conducted an emergency inspection, with no notice. All the independent school standards checked at that time were judged to be met. – In January 2020, Ofsted conducted a standard inspection. The school was judged to require improvement. Three of the independent school standards were not met. – On 10 March 2020, the DfE issued a notice requiring the proprietor to prepare an action plan to show how the unmet standards will be addressed. – In April 2020, Ofsted judged the action plan submitted by the proprietor to be acceptable, with all the unmet standards from the January 2020 inspection judged likely to be met if the proposed actions were implemented.

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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 is the first progress monitoring inspection since the full standard inspection in January 2020. At the standard inspection, the school did not comply with all the independent school standards and other requirements.  This progress monitoring inspection was conducted with no notice. The school’s COVID- 19 safety arrangements were adhered to in undertaking inspection activities.  The inspector met with the headteacher, teaching staff, pupils, administrative staff, the chair of the board of trustees and one other member of the proprietor body, as well as the school’s designated safeguarding and child protection leads. Meetings were held

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Information about this inspection

remotely via the school’s preferred online meetings platform and on the telephone.  The inspector looked at pupils’ work in a range of subjects to assess the quality of teaching and learning over time.  A range of documentation was checked, including leaders’ evaluation of the school’s performance, policies, information found on the website, information relating to safeguarding pupils, the single central register of pre-employment checks on staff, schemes of work and teachers’ planning for learning, including for pupils’ who were learning remotely from home during national restrictions.

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Inspection team

Christine Dick, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Annex. Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school now meets the following independent school standards

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Annex. Compliance with regulatory requirements

Standards that were unmet at the previous inspection and are now met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if: – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work: – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school: – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons.

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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: – 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. 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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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.

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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 .

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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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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