Compass Community School Aylward Park

School pre-registration inspection report

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17 Crown Street, Leiston, Suffolk IP16 4AX

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a)–2(1)(b), 2(2), 2(2)(a)–2(2)(g), 2A(1)–2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3)  The school will provide at least five hours of learning each day. Pupils will also have opportunities for learning during lunchtimes and at enrichment activities, providing them with over 25 hours of on-site education weekly.  There is a written curriculum policy that reflects the school’s aims of ‘inspiring learners to make positive life choices and to provide them with a therapeutic education that enables them to make the most of their lives’.  All pupils will follow a core curriculum of English, mathematics, science, computing, and personal, social and health education (PSHE), which includes sex and relationships lessons. There is a broader curriculum that will offer pupils a choice of subjects to study up to GCSE level. Pupils will have weekly opportunities to ‘drop everything and read’ in order to develop their literacy skills.

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Main inspection findings

 Curriculum plans are in place to give pupils suitable experiences in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, and aesthetic and creative education. These plans include schemes of work for pupils in all key stages. Some of these schemes of work are more detailed than others.  Careers advice and guidance will be provided as part of the PSHE programme. This includes an opportunity to gain experience of the workplace. Paragraph 3, 3(a)–3(j)  Curriculum plans indicate that teaching will enable pupils to acquire new knowledge, and make good progress according to their ability. Planning will also focus on developing pupils’ skills for learning, promoting their social and emotional learning and providing experiences that promote their cultural capital.  Policy and procedures are in place to assess pupils’ prior learning when they join the school. This information will be used to provide individual learning plans for each pupil

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Main inspection findings

and will include personal targets for them. These targets will be reviewed each half term to gauge how well pupils are progressing.  A headteacher has recently been appointed. As the school grows, the proprietor proposes to appoint two more teachers and four support assistants with experience of working in this type of setting. Training for staff will be provided to ensure that all staff have the skills needed to teach pupils, some of whom will have social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.  Teaching will take place in three classrooms. All of them are suitably resourced. Two of them will have interactive whiteboards installed.  Outdoor space for teaching physical education (PE) is limited. Plans are in place to teach PE lessons off site at the local leisure centre. Paragraph 4  Nationally recognised examinations and awards, including GCSE and foundation-level qualifications and the ASDAN award, will be used to assess the outcomes achieved by

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Main inspection findings

pupils.  The three independent school standards for the quality of education are likely to be met by the proposed school.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a)–5(d)  The proposed curriculum aims to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. The policy and procedures are in place to identify where SMSC development will be promoted across curriculum subjects. The policy also includes how pupils will learn about fundamental British values.  Pupils’ views will be considered. There are plans in place to establish a pupil council. Pupils will be encouraged to reflect on their learning and share their views with staff about what they find helpful, and the aspects they would like more information about.  A ‘parallel’ curriculum will be provided alongside core subjects and an options programme to provide pupils with suitable therapies to support their SEMH needs.  An enrichment programme will include opportunities to socialise at breaks and lunchtimes and cook food together. Plans for celebration assemblies, raising funds for

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Main inspection findings

charities and off-site visits will aim to enhance pupils’ social and moral development and broaden their cultural understanding of the people who live and work around them.  This independent school standard for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils is likely to be met by the proposed school.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance.  The newly appointed headteacher will become the designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The proprietor’s director of education services is the deputy DSL. She is suitably trained in safeguarding.  All newly appointed staff will be provided with suitable training in safeguarding and child protection as part of their induction programme. They will also have training in supporting pupils’ SEMH needs and their welfare.  A range of policy and procedures are in place to manage pupils’ health and safety on site, and to promote their safety and well-being.  As part of the school’s admissions procedures, information gained from assessments and the prior knowledge about pupils living in the proprietor’s care home will be used to inform plans to meet pupils’ personal, social and emotional needs.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 10  Suitable policies and procedures are in place for managing pupils’ behaviour, for positive handling, managing pupil exclusions and preventing bullying. Procedures are in place to record incidents of poor behaviour. Paragraph 11, 12, 13, 16(a), 16(b)  All of the necessary policies and risk assessments are in place to manage the health and safety of pupils on the premises, and to manage hazards on site and to keep pupils safe when they leave the site to learn during the day.  The school has a first-aid policy, and a system to record accidents requiring treatment. Paragraph 14  The ratio of pupils to staff will generally be two pupils to one adult, which is suitable for the proposed provision. Paragraph 15  An attendance and admissions register is in place to record all of the necessary information when pupils join the proposed school, and when they leave it.  The independent school standards for the welfare, health and safety of pupils are

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Main inspection findings

likely to be met by the proposed school.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)–18(f), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a)–19(2)(d), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)– 20(6)(c)  The proprietor’s director of education services is suitably trained in safer recruitment.  At this stage, only one member of staff, the headteacher, has been appointed. Background checks are under way to confirm her suitability to take up the role. Further staff appointments planned by the proprietor will undergo the same checks.  All of the necessary checks have been made on staff belonging to the proprietor body. This includes five members of the governing body. All of them have suitable professional qualifications, experience and expertise.  The proprietor does not intend to use supply staff in this specialist setting. Paragraph 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a)–21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5), 21(5)(a)– 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a)–21(7)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 A single central record of employment checks is in place and shows all of the required information, including section 128 checks on staff belonging to the proprietor body.  The independent school standards for the suitability of staff and proprietors are likely to be met by the proposed school.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a)–23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a)–24(1)(c)  A suitable toilet with washing facilities and hot water is provided. This is a single, unisex toilet for boys and girls that can be locked from the inside. Procedures are in place to manage this safely. There is a separate toilet facility for staff.  One shower is available on the school site. PE lessons will take place off site at the local leisure centre. Changing facilities are available at this venue. On the days that pupils have PE, they will be asked to arrive in school wearing suitable kit.  The medical room has a bed and a sink with hot and cold water. It is near to the toilet. Paragraph 25, 26, 27, 27(a)–27(b)  The refurbished building is fit for purpose. It is suitable to support the teaching of the proposed curriculum, the number and age range of pupils proposed at its opening,

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Main inspection findings

and pupils’ SEMH needs.  Accommodation comprises a reception area, medical room, three classrooms suitable for teaching a range of subjects, a kitchen that can be used to teach food preparation, and a school office. It has a small outdoor area for PE and play.  The outside area is very small. There is sufficient space for pupils to gather and play outside. As the school grows and accepts more pupils, the proprietor plans to limit the number of pupils using this space at the same time by introducing a programme of rolling breaks and lunchtimes.  The building has suitable sound proofing, natural light and electric lighting, and ventilation. Emergency lighting, smoke and fire alarms and fire extinguishers are all in place and are suitably checked and maintained.  Drinking water is available in the kitchen and is suitably labelled.  The independent school standards for the premises and accommodation are likely to

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(a)–32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a)–32(2)(d), 32(3), 32(3)(a)–32(3)(g), 32(4)(a)– 32(4)(c)  The school does not have a website.  All of the required information is available to parents and carers of prospective pupils in the school’s published prospectus. On enrolment of pupils, their parents will be sent a range of information about the school’s policies and procedures.  The school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents on request. The school’s prospectus provides clear guidance to parents about how to request any information they need.  This independent school standard is likely to be met by the proposed school.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a)–33(k)  A written policy for handling complaints is in place. The policy provides clear guidance on the procedures, timescales, composition of the panel, representation and confidentiality.  This independent school standard is likely to be met by the proposed school.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a)–34(1)(c)  The proprietor is Compass Community Ltd. The proprietor operates 14 other registered independent schools. There is currently one more application in progress in Lincolnshire.  Its chief executive officer, its director of education services and two other senior officers are members of the school’s governing body. The governing body has an independent chairperson. All of them have extensive experience of opening and leading this type of specialist setting.  A new headteacher has been appointed. She will take up her post this term.  There is a range of quality assurance procedures in place to oversee the school’s work once it has opened. Support and challenge for the headteacher will be provided by the proprietor’s regional executive headteacher. A head of teaching and learning and the curriculum will support staff in developing curriculum planning and will monitor

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Main inspection findings

implementation.  Arrangements are in place to provide new staff with the training and development they need to ensure that they are suitably equipped to work with pupils in this setting who may have SEMH needs.  This independent school standard is likely to be met by the proposed school.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school’s accessibility plan provides details of how all pupils will access the curriculum, premises and information effectively.

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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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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Email address bernie.gibson@compasscommunity.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 17 11 to 17 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 12 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 12

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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 yet determined

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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 yet determined

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 4

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Information about this proposed school

 The proprietor is seeking registration with the Department for Education as an independent special school to admit pupils who may have SEMH needs.  The proprietorial body is Compass Community Ltd.  The school accommodation is a refurbished, single-storey building. Information about the school can be gained from Mountfields House, Epinal Way, Loughborough LE11 3GE.  The proprietor is seeking to establish the school for up to 12 pupils. Most of them will be living in a nearby care home run by the proprietor. The proprietor has not made any links with local authorities in the region who may wish to commission placements at the school.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first pre-registration inspection of the proposed school.  The proposed school is not yet operating.  Inspectors visited the school site and met with the proprietor’s director of education services. They toured the premises and accommodation, scrutinised the single central record and reviewed safeguarding arrangements.  Inspectors scrutinised a range of documentation, including a wide range of policies and procedures, the school prospectus and other information provided by the proprietor.  An inspector spoke on the telephone with a representative from Suffolk local authority. At this stage, the local authority has not commissioned places at the school. However, if the school is able to meet the specific needs of pupils and is deemed suitable, then this would be considered.

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Inspection team

John Mitcheson, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Paul Wilson 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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