King's House Moorlands

School material change inspection report

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King’s House Preparatory School and Nursery

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King’s House, High Street, Leagrave, Luton LU4 9JY

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2  Leaders ensure that pupils in all year groups receive a broad and rich curriculum. Curriculum plans for all subjects demonstrate that leaders have considered what pupils need to learn and in what order. Leaders have plans in place to ensure a suitable curriculum for Year 7 and Year 8 pupils should the Department for Education (DfE) approve the material change requested. These plans propose to build on what pupils have learned in previous years.  The indicative curriculum plans and schemes of work suggest an appropriate balance of subjects and experiences. For example, leaders have worked with a local multi- academy trust to develop a careers guidance programme. Plans are in place for older pupils to access increased links with local businesses and the school’s alumni to prepare pupils for the next stage of their education, future training and employment.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 3  The school already has staff with experience of teaching in the secondary phase. To further strengthen the provision, leaders are recruiting suitably qualified, specialist teachers with the subject knowledge and skills necessary to teach in the secondary phase. Paragraph 4  The school’s assessment system enables teachers to know how well pupils are learning and what pupils need to learn next. Leaders propose to adapt and build on the assessment processes in place to support the quality of education for Year 7 and Year 8 pupils.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development is central to the school’s ethos. Pupils are encouraged and supported to develop responsibility, independence and empathy for others. Pupils learn about right and wrong from an

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Main inspection findings

early age and are encouraged to seek resolutions to conflict where it arises. Leaders intend that the SMSC curriculum for pupils in Year 7 and Year 8 will build on what pupils already know and can do.  Pupils develop an understanding of society through regular trips into the local and wider community. The school’s resources include books and pictures that reflect a wide range of cultures and religions. The school celebrates traditional festivals, such as Christmas and Eid. Pupils told inspectors that these experiences, ‘help us to understand what is important to different people’.  Leaders have established a curriculum for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education across the school that encourages pupils to develop life skills such as public speaking and financial management. Leaders arrange for professionals such as lawyers and police detectives to visit the school and talk with pupils about what

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Main inspection findings

their careers involve. Pupils appreciate ‘finding out what we need to learn and do better, to get the jobs we want’.  Leaders sensitively used the COVID-19 (coronavirus) lockdowns as a learning experience for pupils. During the inspection, inspectors looked at pupils’ reflections displayed around the school. Pupils’ work showed how they had considered the positive impact of lockdown, for example in spending more time with their families, as well as the negatives, such as not seeing their friends.  Regular discussions and debates help pupils to consider thought-provoking topics, such as the nature of society and global issues. Older pupils discuss themes on equality and the democratic process. The proprietor body intends that these opportunities will be extended into the secondary phase curriculum.  Leaders have made sure that pupils’ relationships, sex and health (RSH) education follows statutory requirements and that parents and carers have been consulted.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders have developed curriculum plans that teach RSH education in an age- appropriate way throughout the school. For example, younger pupils learn about safe relationships and respecting themselves and others. Older pupils are taught about diversity and self-worth.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 7, 32  The safeguarding and child protection policy is reviewed regularly and follows the most recent statutory guidance. It is published on the school’s website.  Staff receive appropriate and regular training, so that they can identify the signs that indicate a pupil may be at risk of harm. Leaders have ensured that clear procedures are in place for staff to report concerns. Records show that staff communicate any worries with confidence and that these are acted upon swiftly.

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Main inspection findings

 The recently appointed designated safeguarding lead (DSL) demonstrates a strong commitment to pupils’ safety and well-being. She has received the training and support required to carry out her role and responsibilities. Referrals to external agencies, though low in number, are made appropriately and in a timely fashion.  Leaders have thought carefully about how safeguarding arrangements will be maintained with an extended age range. For example, the DSL plans to add to the existing staff training around online safety for older pupils.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17, 18  Leaders have worked closely with the proprietor body to ensure that effective systems are in place to check that staff are suitable to work with children. Leaders ensure that all the required checks take place before a member of staff starts working at the school. Paragraph 19  Appropriate checks for supply staff are in place. Leaders rightly seek confirmation that supply staff are suitable to work with children and that all necessary checks are complete before staff work at the school. Paragraph 20  Records show that the trustees of the proprietor body have been subject to the required checks. Paragraph 21  Leaders maintain detailed records of suitability checks on the single central register. This is reviewed regularly by trustees and an external consultant. Amendments and updates are put in place as required.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if

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Main inspection findings

the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23  The school premises meet the needs of current pupils and staff at the school. In preparation for the admission of Year 7 and Year 8 pupils, leaders have reorganised rooms within the school building. Although additional toilets are not a specific requirement, leaders plan to provide these for the older pupils.  Owing to COVID-19, there has been a delay in the installation of two sets of changing accommodation, including showers. The revised date for installation is early July 2021. The necessary electricity supply and drainage are already in place. Paragraph 29  The school is well set up for the provision of physical education for the secondary phase. There are two marked all-weather pitches, with other grassed areas also available.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The proprietor body has a sound knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards. Trustees reflect a range of skills and experience. They are pursuing the appointment of additional trustees with more expertise in the secondary phase.  The proprietor body has developed and implemented a range of policies and systems that ensure that the school operates smoothly and safely. These will provide an effective framework for the school if the pupil age range is extended.  Leaders are outward looking. They seek examples of good practice and consider how they can further improve the school’s provision. Leaders make effective use of networks with other local schools and use the advice of external consultants to inform their improvement plans.  Leaders are committed to keeping pupils safe. Alongside academic performance, pupils’ welfare, health and well-being are given a high priority. This is evident from the

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Main inspection findings

emphasis given to pupils’ personal development.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if 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

Proprietor The King’s House Moorlands Education Trust Chair Mrs Alison Clark

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School details

Email address enquiries@kingshouseschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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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 127 152 152

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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 127 152

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable Not applicable

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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 Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 1 1

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Information about this school

 King’s House Preparatory School is an independent school that is currently registered to educate pupils from age four to 11 years.  The school is owned by The King’s House Moorlands Education Trust. The headteacher is a trustee of the proprietor body that provides the governance of the school.  The DfE commissioned a monitoring inspection of the school in February 2019. This was to consider the progress the school had made regarding previously unmet standards judged at its previous Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Regulatory Compliance Inspection in June 2018. All standards checked during the monitoring inspection were judged to be met.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to consider the school’s request for a material change. The proprietor body would like to extend the upper age of pupils from 11 to 13 years.  Inspectors met with senior leaders and three trustees of the proprietor body. Various documents relating to leadership and management were considered.  Inspectors scrutinised the school’s website and a range of curriculum policies. Inspectors looked at current teaching plans and those proposed for Year 7 and Year 8 pupils.  An inspector met with the DSL to discuss the school’s safeguarding arrangements and related documents. The inspector looked at the school’s single central register of checks on the suitability of staff. A phone conversation was held with a local authority safeguarding adviser to discuss their work with the school.  One inspector toured the premises and outdoor provision to check that these were

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Information about this inspection

compliant with the independent school standards.  Inspectors visited lessons and talked to two groups of pupils to seek their views about the school.

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Inspection team

Fiona Webb, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Katherine Douglas 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

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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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