Pulse and Water College

School material change inspection report

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Pulse and Water College 138 Eynsham Drive, London SE2 9PT

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  The previous standard inspection in November 2019 found that leaders had high expectations of pupils and what they can achieve. Pupils studied a broad and ambitious curriculum that included academic and vocational subjects. Subject plans were well structured, and teachers had good subject knowledge.  This inspection found that leaders continue to provide a broad curriculum for pupils aged 11 to 16, including in English and mathematics. Leaders have also extended the curriculum to include relationship and sex education (RSE) and have consulted with parents.  Leaders are clear about the proposed sixth-form curriculum. They intend to provide students with the opportunity to retake GCSE subjects in English literature and language, and in mathematics. In addition, leaders are planning to offer a number of vocational courses, such as childcare, and a careers and employability programme.

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Main inspection findings

The personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education programme has been extended to include sixth-form students and encompass aspects of the RSE curriculum. Leaders have clear plans to ensure that teachers will have sufficient subject expertise, for example by appointing new specialist staff.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards listed above if the Department for Education (DfE) approves the material change. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  At the previous inspection, the promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development was found to be strong. Leaders helped pupils to understand the world they live in and gave helpful advice about the next steps in their education and careers.  This inspection found that this continues to be the case. The PSHE education programme covers the fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of

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Main inspection findings

law and respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. The school’s equality and diversity policy makes specific reference to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010. Leaders have planned carefully for how they intend to provide for the wider development of sixth-form students.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards listed above if the DfE approves the material change. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  The previous standard inspection in November 2019 judged that the arrangements for safeguarding were effective.  This inspection found that leaders continue to ensure that the arrangements for safeguarding pupils are suitable. The school’s child protection and safeguarding policy is comprehensive and takes account of the most up-to-date government advice. It is available on the school’s website. Safeguarding training has been updated and leaders

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Main inspection findings

ensure that all staff have read and understood the most recent guidance contained in Part 1 of ‘Keeping children safe in education, 2021’.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards listed in this paragraph if the DfE approves the material change. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The previous inspection found that the proprietor had established efficient and effective systems for ensuring the welfare, health and safety of pupils.  This inspection found that this continues to be the case. Risk assessments are especially detailed, and action is taken to rectify any identified weaknesses. Leaders have employed external contractors to carry out electrical and fire safety checks. Leaders also carry out regular reviews to ensure that any weaknesses are tackled quickly, for example on the fire safety equipment.  The comprehensive health and safety policy takes appropriate account of the relevant

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Main inspection findings

legislation. It is linked clearly to the school’s safeguarding and child protection policies. The arrangements for deploying staff are suitable and ensure that pupils are always supervised.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards listed above if the DfE approves the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The previous inspection judged that proper staff recruitment checks were made. It noted that all staff received regular training and updates in safeguarding.  This inspection found that this continues to be the case and that the arrangements to check the suitability of staff are rigorous. The proprietor is appropriately trained in the safer recruitment of new staff.  The single central record is well maintained and complies with current requirements. It records all staff, including those that are employed on a contractual basis such as

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Main inspection findings

cleaners. Where appropriate, checks under section 128 of the 2008 Act are carried out on those staff with management responsibilities.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards in this part if the DfE approves the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  Since the previous inspection the school has relocated to 138 Eynsham Drive, London SE2 9PT. The current premises and accommodation have been refurbished. They are clean and well maintained. The accommodation provides sufficient space for an additional 20 pupils.  Pupils have access to drinking water throughout the school day. The dedicated medical room is close to the separate male and female toilet facilities. Showers are available for pupils to use after physical education (PE) lessons.  Classrooms and common spaces are well lit and ventilated. They provide suitable spaces for teaching small groups and for one-to-one work with pupils. The very small

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Main inspection findings

outside space at the front of the school is lit by streetlights.  The school has the use of a local park and sports area just behind the school for PE. This provides an appropriate range of space and equipment to deliver the school’s PE curriculum fully.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards for this part if the DfE approves the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Previous inspections found that the proprietor had a secure understanding of her responsibilities and ensured that all the independent school standards were met.  This inspection found that the proprietor and leaders continue to ensure that all the independent school standards are met consistently. Written policies and curriculum plans have been amended to take account of the proposed material changes, especially for sixth-form students. The new accommodation has been fully renovated

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Main inspection findings

and is fit for purpose.  Leaders ensure that the safeguarding arrangements, including the appointment of new staff, remain effective. This ensures that they promote the well-being of pupils robustly.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards if the DfE approves the material change. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor ensures that there is an accessibility plan that meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Email address admin@pulseandwatercollege.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 12–14 November 2019

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recommendation

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

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 35 55 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 35 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 6 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 6 10

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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 6 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 7 10

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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

 Pulse and Water College is an independent school situated in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. It has recently relocated to the ground floor of a four-storey building at 138 Eynsham Drive, London, SE2 9PT in south Abbey Wood. It is currently operating as an 11 to 16 school at these new premises.  The school provides for pupils who have been excluded from another school or are at risk of being excluded. Pupils attend for short periods of time, either full or part time, depending on their needs.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The previous inspection was the third standard inspection. It took place in November 2019, when the school was judged to be good.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was conducted by Ofsted at the request of the Department for Education to consider the school’s application for a material change to increase the age range to 11 to 18 and number of pupils from 35 to 55. This was the first material change inspection in respect of the change the proprietor has applied to make.  This inspection was conducted at two days’ notice.  The focus of the inspection was to consider whether the independent school standards in Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 were likely to be met.  The inspector considered a range of written policies, including those for safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, health and safety and equality and diversity. Curriculum plans for the proposed sixth-form provision were reviewed. The inspector toured the building with the proprietor and headteacher.

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Inspection team

Brian Oppenheim, 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

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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. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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

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