Edstart

Edstart EdStart Specialist Education, 5 Gerald Road, Salford M6 6DW

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7–7b, 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy and procedures are fit for purpose. They pay due regard to the current guidance from the Secretary of State. The school’s safeguarding policy has recently been updated and it is published on the school website.  Frequent training ensures that staff have a secure and up-to-date knowledge of how to identify the risks of harm that pupils may encounter. Staff know how to report any concerns if they are concerned about a pupil’s welfare. Leaders have a clear understanding of how to manage concerns relating to the safeguarding of pupils. Leaders share information with other authorities when appropriate to help keep pupils safe.  The proprietor has ensured that the school has an appropriately filtered and monitored internet connection for all it sites. This reduces the risks of harm to pupils arising from their use of technology.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 11, 13, 14, 15  The school’s written health and safety policy and procedures comply with relevant legislation. Leaders have suitable systems to record health and safety checks. These include those checks relating to fire detection systems and firefighting equipment. Electrical and gas safety checks are completed by a qualified and competent person. The outcomes of such checks are routinely evaluated by leaders to plan any required maintenance.  The school’s written first-aid policy is fit for purpose. Leaders ensure that there is at least two members of staff qualified in first aid available on each of the school’s sites. Appropriate first-aid equipment is available on each site to care for any sick or injured pupils. Well-established procedures ensure that medication is only administered with the permission of a pupil’s parents or carers. Effective procedures are in place to check and record the administration of any medication given to a pupil.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has an appropriate number of staff employed for the number of pupils on roll. Leaders deploy staff effectively across the different sites of the school to ensure pupils are supervised appropriately while on the school’s premises or while undertaking educational visits off site.  Leaders have ensured that the school has written admission and attendance policies in place. These policies comply with current legislation. Detailed records of admissions are kept securely. Attendance registers are taken twice daily, and pupils’ attendance is recorded using appropriate codes that comply with current legislation. Routine checks ensure that registers are completed correctly, and any pupils’ absence is immediately followed up. Paragraph 16–16(b)  The school’s written risk assessment policy is fit for purpose and implemented effectively. Leaders demonstrate a secure knowledge of how to identify risks and the

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Main inspection findings

necessary actions that can be used to mitigate them. Detailed risk assessments for a wide range of school activities are in place. They identify possible hazards and the control measures to be implemented to reduce possible harm to pupils and staff. Appropriate risk assessments are in place for the movement of pupils to and from recreational spaces and their safe use of off-site sports centres for physical education.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are met by the school. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2)–19(3), 19(4)  The proprietor has completed appropriate checks to ensure leaders and governors are not prohibited from holding leadership and management responsibilities in a school.  The proprietor ensures that all required pre-employment checks on the suitability of staff are completed before they commence work at the school. Leaders demonstrate a

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Main inspection findings

secure knowledge of how to complete suitability checks effectively. This includes those checks required on any person who has lived or worked outside of the United Kingdom.  Senior leaders demonstrate a detailed understanding of the most up-to-date guidance on safer recruitment. They use this knowledge effectively to carry out appropriate recruitment and selection activities when appointing new staff.  Leaders ensure that staff complete a comprehensive induction process when they start work in the school. This introductory training promotes staff’s knowledge of safeguarding, the school’s health and safety procedures, the expectations of staff’s conduct and, where appropriate, the school’s procedures for registering pupils’ attendance.  Leaders occasionally use supply staff. Leaders ensure that all requisite checks on the suitability of supply or agency staff are completed before they commence work in the

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Main inspection findings

school. Paragraph 21(1), 21(2), 21(3)–21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)–21(7)(b)  The school’s single central record of the requisite checks that have been carried out on members of staff contains all the required information. Leaders have effective systems in place to ensure that the information contained in the single central record is routinely checked for accuracy and that it is updated in a timely manner.  The standards in this part are met by the school. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards that were checked during this inspection are met.  The proprietor has strengthened leadership through the appointment of a suitably qualified and experienced headteacher to oversee the day-to-day running of the school.  The new headteacher, together with other leaders, demonstrate a secure knowledge

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Main inspection findings

of the standards. They use this knowledge to routinely check the effective implementation of their policies and procedures.  The proprietor is committed to promoting the health, safety and well-being of all pupils and staff. He ensures staff receive appropriate training to promote their knowledge of safeguarding and pupils’ welfare. The proprietor ensures that the school meets all the required health and safety standards.  The standards in this part are met by the school.

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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. 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

Date of previous standard inspection 5 to 7 March 2019

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Information about this school

 A new headteacher started at the school in May 2021.  The school is currently operating beyond its registered capacity for the number of pupils on roll.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE).  The inspection was carried out under section 109 of the Education Act 2014 and was unannounced.  The DfE requested that the inspector report on the independent school standards in respect of the school’s leadership and management, the suitability of staff and the welfare, health and safety of pupils.  The inspector met with the proprietor, headteacher and other senior members of staff responsible for suitability checks.  The inspector toured two sites of the school, including visits to classrooms, with the proprietor, headteacher and other senior leaders. The inspector also spoke informally with pupils during the tours.  The inspector scrutinised a range of school documents relating to the organisation of the school. These documents also included those relating to admissions and pupils’ attendance, safeguarding, health and safety and the suitability of staff to work in the

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Inspection team

John Nixon, 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

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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