The Write Time

School material change inspection report

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The Write Time Warrington Road, Croydon CR0 4BH

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  The school’s proposed curriculum policies and plans for the education of Year 7 pupils from September 2021, and students in Years 12 and 13 from September 2022, are likely to be appropriate. The planned curriculum for Year 7 covers all the required areas of learning, and a suitable programme of academic and vocational courses for sixth-formers has been developed.  An appropriate personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education programme is proposed for pupils in Year 7. An accredited personal and social development (PSD) course for students in Years 12 and 13 is also planned. Both schemes of work pay regard to fundamental British values and to pupils developing respect for, and tolerance of, the different protected characteristics people have.  Leaders’ plans to extend the current provision for careers education to students in the sixth form are likely to be suitable. An appropriately qualified careers adviser will

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Main inspection findings

continue to be commissioned to help ensure that sixth-form students receive impartial, accurate and up-to-date careers guidance.  Leaders are in the process of training existing staff to teach vocational qualifications in the sixth form. There are suitable plans to recruit additional staff in time for September 2022.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The school’s proposed PSHE and PSD education plans, and the equality and diversity policy, are likely to be suitable. The curriculum includes relationships and sex education. It shows appropriate coverage of British values, public institutions and services and all the protected characteristics as defined by the Equalities Act 2010. The coherently planned programme of assemblies, events, therapies and peer

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Main inspection findings

mentoring shows that the school is likely to actively promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils.  The school’s suitable partisan views policy clearly states that a balanced presentation of opposing views must always be provided in the teaching of political issues.  The independent school standard in this part is likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7  The timing of this inspection meant pupils could not be spoken to. However, the available evidence confirms that the culture of safeguarding at The Write Time remains strong.  The designated safeguarding lead has completed very recent enhanced training and is knowledgeable about the contextual risks faced by the school’s pupils. Leaders are in the process of ensuring that the school’s safeguarding policy and practice pays regard to the September 2021 guidance, including for sexual violence and harassment.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 11, 12, 14 and 16  The school’s updated health, safety and risk assessment policies are likely to be suitable and implemented well in the new buildings. Arrangements to prepare, maintain and clean the new premises are appropriate. Leaders have begun to thoroughly assess the risks presented by the new premises and are taking appropriate action to minimise them.  The certified checks on fire safety equipment, including emergency lighting, fire extinguishers and the alarm system, are up to date. An external fire risk assessment confirms that the new premises are likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This is subject to completion of some final works before the school opens on 6 September 2021.  Supervision of an increased number of pupils is likely to be suitable because leaders are committed to maintaining the school’s high staff-to-pupil ratios.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the

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Main inspection findings

material changes are implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The school’s single central record of vetting checks remains compliant with statutory requirements. It accurately records all the required checks on the proprietor, governors and staff.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school’s modern and spacious new premises were previously used by a secondary mainstream school.  The large classrooms, sensory space, school hall, computing suite and meeting rooms are all likely to comfortably accommodate 60 pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The building’s acoustics and lighting are likely to be compliant with the requirements.  The toilet, washing, shower, changing and medical room facilities are all likely to be suitable. The washing facilities include safely regulated hot water supplies. Drinking water supplies are suitably labelled as such.  There is a very large outdoor space for recreation and physical education. Plans to clean up and securely fence the site are due to be completed in time for 6 September 2021.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the

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Main inspection findings

material changes are implemented. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  This requirement continues to be met because the school’s safeguarding policy is readily available online. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  The school’s proprietor and leaders have planned effectively to relocate The Write Time to larger, more appropriate premises. Plans to cater for up to 60 pupils aged 11 to 18 are also effective. Leaders are committed to ensuring continued compliance with all the independent school standards.  The independent school standard in this part, as in all the other parts checked, is met and is likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented.

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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.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Email address info@thewritetimeschool.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 17 to 19 June 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 12 to 16 11 to 18 11 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 26 60 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 26 Up to 60 Number of part-time pupils None No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 26 Up to 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 24 Up to 60

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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 23 Up to 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 3 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 2 4

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Information about this school

 The Write Time is an independent special day school for pupils who mostly have an education, health and care plan for their SEND, which typically relate to their social, emotional and/or mental health needs.  The school relocates to its new, sole premises on Warrington Road, Croydon, CR0 4BH from 6 September 2021 and intends to cater for pupils aged 11 from this date, too. Leaders plan to admit students in Years 12 and 13 from September 2022.  The school’s most recent inspection was a full standard inspection in June 2019, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be good.  The school makes use of one alternative provider: Skills & Integrated Learning Centre (SILC), Mitcham, CR4 4UY.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first material change inspection commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider The Write Time’s application to make three material changes to its registration agreement. The requested changes were to relocate to new premises, to increase the age range of pupils from 12 to 16 years to 11 to 18 years and to increase the maximum number of pupils to 60.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The DfE requested that the inspector consider whether the independent school standards contained within Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented.  The inspector had meetings with the proprietor, headteacher (who is also the designated safeguarding lead), head of quality and a governor.  The inspector toured the new premises and reviewed a range of documentation, including in relation to safeguarding, health and safety, risk assessment and the

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Information about this inspection

curriculum.  There were no recent responses on Ofsted Parent View to consider.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted 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

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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Inspection team

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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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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