KS Dance

Name of lead inspector: Ruth Stammers, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Dance and Drama School

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Address: Unit 9a Centre 21 Bridge Lane Warrington Cheshire WA1 4AW Monitoring visit: KS Dance, 5-6 May 2021

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Context and focus of visit

KS Dance is a dance and drama school based in Warrington, Cheshire. It specialises in training students for employment as dancers and dance teachers. The college recruits students from across the UK and internationally. At the time of the visit, there were 17 students in receipt of a government dance and drama award to assist with fees and living costs. Only these students were in scope for this monitoring visit.

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Context and focus of visit

This was an unannounced safeguarding monitoring visit, following concerns that had been reported to Ofsted. The purpose of the visit was to assess how effective the safeguarding arrangements at the provider are.

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Context and focus of visit

The impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has been taken into account in the findings and progress judgements below.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have appropriate safeguarding arrangements in place. They have a range of suitable policies and procedures that staff understand and use appropriately. Leaders have considered risks specific to the dance industry for students aged under 18 and living away from home. For example, leaders have included consent for acting as a responsible adult in place of a parent. They have devised a hands-on teaching policy for teachers who have physical contact with students to demonstrate stretching.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers recruit staff appropriately; most are self-employed or freelance. They carry out appropriate pre-employment checks. However, the detailed content of references is not recorded and documented sufficiently. Leaders recognise that they need to strengthen the administration of the recruitment process.

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Reasonable progress

The school’s designated safeguarding lead and deputy are appropriately trained to carry out their roles. All staff complete annual online safeguarding training. A few teachers complete additional safeguarding training through dance awarding bodies.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders assessed the risks to students when practising dancing at home during COVID-19 restrictions. They identified students who did not have space or adequate Monitoring visit: KS Dance, 5-6 May 2021 flooring to practise. Leaders gave advice on appropriate floor surfaces and footwear. They provided pieces of impact absorbing, non-slip flooring to students. This meant that students were able to continue to dance at home without fear of injury.

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Reasonable progress

Students feel safe and enjoy their learning. They feel valued and supported by the staff, who are approachable and friendly. Leaders provide training for students on safeguarding and welfare at the beginning of the course. However, this is not revisited throughout the year. This means that not all learners are able to remember the information they have been given.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders do not provide training to students on the risks in the local area. They do not identify which extremist groups may be operating in the locality. Students’ awareness of local threats is limited to what they see on the news or read online.

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Reasonable progress

Students and staff know who to refer safeguarding or welfare concerns to. Leaders have an advisory board in place to provide governance. Staff are aware of the procedure for reporting to the advisory board member responsible for safeguarding, should the need arise.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have introduced a mobile device application that students use daily to rate their physical and mental well-being. Students identify where they may have an injury, low mood or lack of sleep. Staff track students’ responses daily. They use the information to instigate conversation and intervention if a student is in need of help.

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Reasonable progress

Staff know how to identify signs in students’ behaviour or physical appearance that may give cause for concern. For example, if a student is unusually withdrawn or displaying an injury that they cannot account for. Staff refer these issues to the appropriate person.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and staff document concerns for students’ well-being and welfare appropriately. Issues such as physical injuries, muscle strains and poor nutrition or hydration are logged and monitored. Leaders put appropriate action plans in place, such as rehabilitation and referral to a sports psychologist. Students are supported to return to physical fitness and positive well-being. Monitoring visit: KS Dance, 5-6 May 2021 regulates and inspects to 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

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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