The Luccombe Hub

School pre-registration inspection report

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The Luccombe Hub Unit 12, East Luccombe Farm, Milton Abbas, Dorset DT11 0BD

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a – b)  Leaders have a curriculum policy in place. Curriculum plans and schemes of work span the age range and subjects the proposed school intends to teach. Leaders have specialist teachers in place to implement these plans. Leaders have considered the needs of pupils, acknowledging some may require phonics teaching. Leaders have invested in a phonics programme to support pupils’ early reading. Curriculum plans do not undermine the fundamental British values. Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(a – i)  The proposed school’s curriculum is broad. It will provide pupils with a range of academic experiences. The personal, social and health education curriculum plans reflect the proposed school’s aims and ethos. These plans encourage respect for other people. They are detailed and broad. They support pupils in a range of areas. For example, recognising healthy relationships and knowing the harms posed by drug and

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Main inspection findings

alcohol abuse. Careers advice will be provided impartially, helping pupils to make informed choices about career options. Paragraph 2A, 2A(1)(a – g), 2A(2), 2A(3)  Relationships and sex education (RSE) plans are in place. Leaders know what content must be taught and when. They are clear which content parents can or cannot withdraw pupils from. Leaders have an RSE policy which explains how they will teach RSE and how they will consult parents on any changes to their statement. Paragraph 3, 3(a – j), 4  Leaders have an assessment system in place so they will be able to track how well pupils are learning the curriculum. They have considered the ways they will deliver the curriculum, including learning spaces that have been purpose built for a specific curriculum activity. For example, rooms for teaching woodwork and food technology. The proposed school’s curriculum will build toward pupils completing qualifications in

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Main inspection findings

key stages 4 and 5. The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a – d)  Leaders have comprehensive plans to support pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. These include approaches to support pupils’ self-esteem and confidence through a recognised programme. Curriculum plans also cover the importance of respect for other people and tolerance of people who may have different beliefs to their own. Fundamental British values are a cornerstone of the proposed school’s curriculum.  The standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a – b)  Leaders have a suitable safeguarding policy that reflects the unique aspects of the proposed school. Leaders and staff have the training they need to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities. They have devised robust methods of recording any concerns staff have about pupil’s welfare. Leaders check on concerns and involve external agencies when needed. Paragraph 9, 9(a – c)  The proposed school’s behaviour policy reflects the approach leaders wish to take when managing and supporting pupils’ behaviour. Leaders have provided training on their approach so staff can implement it well. Leaders have set up a behaviour log so they can track behaviour incidents over time. Paragraph 10  The proposed school has an anti-bullying strategy which sets out what actions it will take to prevent bullying. It also makes clear what actions will be taken if staff find

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Main inspection findings

bullying is taking place. Paragraph 11  Leaders have commissioned an external body to carry out a health and safety audit of the site and premises. Leaders have taken action where needed. They have had testing carried out to assure themselves that the site is safe, particularly as they have acquired new buildings. These include fixed wire testing, portable appliance testing and frequent checks for legionella bacteria in water. Paragraph 12  Leaders have commissioned a fire risk assessment at the proposed school. They have taken action to improve areas identified on the risk assessment as having elevated risk. Service level agreements with external companies are in place to check and service fire alarms and extinguishing equipment. In between these formal checks, fire wardens carry out further checks. Regular fire evacuations take place so leaders can assure themselves that all staff and pupils can escape a potential fire in a safe, calm

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Main inspection findings

and timely manner. Paragraph 13  The proposed school has a first aid-policy in place which sets out arrangements for administering first aid. There are first-aid trained staff in place and several first-aid logs to keep records. Paragraph 14  Leaders have ensured they have plans and the staff they need to supervise pupils well throughout the school day. At all times, pupils will receive support from at least one adult. This includes less structured times, such as lunchtimes and handover from transport at the beginning and end of the school day. Paragraph 15  The attendance register is taken twice daily, in the morning and afternoon. Leaders ensure they use correct attendance codes to capture pupils’ attendance and reasons for absence accurately. The admissions register includes the necessary information about each pupil, including contact details and previous schools attended. Paragraph 16, 16(a – b)

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school’s risk assessment policy makes clear the actions leaders and staff will take to mitigate risk during specific activities, both on site and off site. Leaders have also put in place risk assessments for individual pupils, considering their specific needs closely.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a – e), 18(3),  Recruitment checks on staff are complete, which gives leaders the assurances they need that they only appoint adults who are suitable to work with children. Checks are completed before staff commence employment, or as soon as practicable after for enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Leaders ensure that they also check the medical fitness and identification of staff during recruitment. Paragraph 19(2), 19(2)(a – d), 19(3)  Leaders do not intend to use supply staff. Paragraph 20(6), 20(6)(a – c)  There is one proprietor only. Checks on their suitability will be conducted by the Department for Education (DfE) once the proposed school has been registered. Paragraph 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a – b), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  The single central record is complete with all the necessary checks on staff. It is

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Main inspection findings

stored electronically.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a – c)  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities on site. These are for the sole use of pupils and can be secured from the inside. There is a shower and changing accommodation for pupils to use. Paragraph 24(1)(a – c), 24(2)  There is suitable accommodation for the medical treatment and examination of pupils. The medical room has a washing facility and is close to a toilet facility. It has no other use and is readily available. Paragraph 25  The site and premises are maintained well. This will help to ensure that pupils’ health, safety and welfare are not compromised. Paragraph 26  The acoustic conditions and sound insulation across all rooms and spaces are suitable for the activities that will be completed within them. Paragraph 27, 27(a – b)  There is adequate lighting throughout. Internally, rooms are lit sufficiently well for

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Main inspection findings

their intended use. Externally, lights help to ensure that people can enter and leave the school premises safely. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a – d), 28(2)(a – b)  Drinking water is readily accessible when the premises are in use. These facilities are labelled clearly and in a separate area from the toilet facilities. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a – b)  There is ample space for pupils to play outside and participate in physical education.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32, 32(1)(a – j)  Leaders contribute to the annual review process for pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. They also make clear how they use funding for children looked after. Leaders provide information to parents of all pupils, detailing the progress they are making by way of an annual report. Paragraph 32, 32(2)(a – d)  The website contains specific information, including contact details, information about the proprietor and the proposed school’s ethos. Paragraph 32, 32(3)(a – g)  The proposed school’s website contains the policies that must be accessible. The following policies are readily available: safeguarding; curriculum; admissions; exclusions; behaviour; anti-bullying; health and safety; first aid; and complaints. There is also information about the provision for pupils with EHC plans and pupils who speak English as an additional language.

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Main inspection findings

 The standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a – k)  The complaints policy is in writing and available on the proposed school’s website. The policy makes clear the three stages of a complaint: informal, formal and panel hearing. There are clear timescales for each stage. At the panel hearing, the complainant can be accompanied. The panel will consist of representatives not involved with the complaint directly, including one person independent to the running of the school. Leaders have a complaints log which will make clear at what stage a complaint was resolved and any findings, recommendation and subsequent actions taken. The outcome of a complaint will be provided to the complainant also.  The standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)(a – c)  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards are likely to be met on successful registration and opening as an independent school. They have an established leadership team which knows its responsibilities and fulfils them well. Collectively, leaders have a strong understanding of the independent school standards and check these for compliance regularly. These checks give them an accurate evaluation.  Leaders have improvement plans which make clear their priorities for the academic year. These plans are detailed and look beyond solely meeting the independent school standards. Leaders have prioritised curriculum implementation to ensure schemes of work embed well.  The standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have an appropriate accessibility plan which outlines how they intend to improve pupils’ access to the curriculum, physical environment and information. Plans have a clear timeframe for completion. The accessibility plan is reviewed annually.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £3,900 to £29,250

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age 19 Number of pupils of compulsory school age who have an education, health and care plan, or who are looked after by a local authority Total hours operating as a school per week 25

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 25

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 18 8 to 18 8 to 18 Number of pupils on the school roll 19 30 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 0 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 19 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 18 30

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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 18 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 9 14

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this proposed school

 The proprietor is The Luccombe Hub Limited. There is one director, Henrietta Monier- Williams.  The proposed school is in a rural area of Milton Abbas, Dorset. The site includes a farm, several buildings and a forest school.  Fees will be charged on an hourly basis.  The proposed school does not have a religious character.  The proposed school will provide education for up to 30 pupils aged 8 to 18 years, with all having special educational needs and/or disabilities and an EHC plan. Most pupils will be allocated by local authorities. The proposed school intends to admit pupils who are looked after by the local authority.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was conducted by Ofsted at the request of the Secretary of State for Education. It was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.  This was the proposed school’s second pre-registration inspection. The first pre- registration inspection took place in July 2020.  This inspection was commissioned by the DfE during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. All inspection activity took place on site.  The inspector held discussions with the proprietor, the education leader, the health and safety leaders and those responsible for safeguarding. The inspector undertook a tour of the proposed school’s site and premises to determine whether standards in Parts 3 and 5 of the independent school standards are likely to be met.  The lead inspector scrutinised the proposed school’s website and also requested specific documents to determine whether standards within Part 6 are likely to be met.

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Information about this inspection

 The lead inspector considered leaders’ curriculum documentation and schemes of work to determine whether Part 1 of the independent school standards is likely to be met.  The lead inspector considered leaders’ plans and schemes of work to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, to determine whether Part 2 of the independent school standards is likely to be met.  The lead inspector considered documentation such as policies, safeguarding records, and plans in place to maintain pupils’ safety while on site. This helped to determine if standards within Part 3 of the independent school standards are likely to be met.  The lead inspector evaluated the complaints policy and log to determine whether standards in Part 7 of the independent school standards are likely to be met.  The lead inspector checked the proposed school’s single central record and several staff recruitment files to determine whether standards within Parts 3, 4 and 8 are

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Inspection team

Nathan Kemp, 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

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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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