Safe Start School

School material change inspection report

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1, 2 and 4 Henry Square Chambers, Ashton Under Lyne, Tameside OL6 7ST

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2, 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(c), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j), 4  The proprietor body has a written policy for the curriculum in place. The policy covers the subjects required by the independent school standards (the standards). The policy is supported by schemes of work (SoW) that include the key knowledge and skills that pupils will learn over time. The SoW have been adapted to ensure that the proposed new pupils will be able to learn and make progress.  Leaders have a personal, social, health and economic education curriculum in place. The SoW show how the proposed new pupils will build their knowledge over time. This includes learning about different types of families, healthy relationships and

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Main inspection findings

gender identity. The proposed curriculum will help pupils to develop respect, including for the protected characteristics.  The relationships and sex education curriculum meets current statutory guidelines. A policy is in place. Leaders have consulted with parents and carers of current pupils. They plan to consult with parents of new pupils if the proposed material change is granted.  Leaders complete assessment activities when pupils arrive at the school. The information is used to plan learning that meets the needs of the pupils and to set targets for pupils to achieve. Staff will complete termly assessments to check on pupils’ progress. Leaders provide parents of current pupils with an annual report. This sets out the achievements of pupils. The same process will be used for the proposed new pupils.  Current pupils receive regular and impartial advice about careers. They have opportunities to undertake work experience in, for example, mechanics. Leaders will

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Main inspection findings

ensure that new pupils receive guidance about careers. Leaders will use their established partnerships with the local authority careers service and the local college to offer suitable work experience for the new pupils.  Current staff have experience of teaching pupils in the proposed new age range. The proprietor has recruited new teachers so that there will be a sufficient number of staff to teach the proposed new pupils. As a result, staff will have the subject knowledge and skills to enable the proposed new pupils to make progress. The classroom for the proposed new pupils is suitable. It is large enough for the proposed numbers. It has sufficient lighting and acoustics. The classroom is furnished with desks and chairs. There are sufficient resources such as textbooks to support new pupils’ learning.  The proprietor has ensured that all of 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), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)  The proprietor has a spiritual, moral, social and cultural policy in place. This is supported by a scheme of work that provides many opportunities for pupils to develop an understanding of fundamental British values. Leaders plan to incorporate regular visits to enrich pupils’ understanding. For example, current pupils have visited local museums to learn about the Holocaust and Anne Frank. Leaders plan to extend such visits to the proposed new pupils.  The proprietor has ensured that all of the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  There is a suitable safeguarding policy in place that contains the most up-to-date government guidance. The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website.  A single central record is in place, which records pre-employment checks on all current staff. The record meets legal requirements. This process will be used to check any new staff before they start at the school.  Records show that leaders are quick to respond to any concerns regarding pupils’ safety.  Current staff receive regular training to safeguard pupils from harm. Staff who are new to the school will receive training that will enable them to take action if they are worried about any pupil.  The proprietor has ensured that all of the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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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)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body and leaders have a good understanding of the independent school standards. They have thought carefully about the proposed admission of pupils into key stage 3. They have effective plans in place to meet the needs of the proposed new pupils so that pupils can achieve well.  Leaders have developed effective partnerships with a range of external partners and are likely to ensure the safety and well-being of the proposed new pupils.  The proprietor has ensured that all of the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £32,000 to £48,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 8 to 10 December 2021

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 14 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 25 25 25

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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 8 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 15 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 9 25

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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 8 8

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Reason for inspector’s recommendations Leaders currently have seven pupils who attend on a part-time basis. If the material change is approved, leaders plan to register up to 25 pupils on a full-time basis. The inspector has also specified that eight pupils will be paid for by a local authority, but this number may change as a result of admissions.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 9 11

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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 school’s last standard inspection took place from 8 to 10 December 2021.  The school does not currently make use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) because the school made a request to broaden the age range from 14–16 years to 11–16 years.  The inspector spoke to the proprietor, the headteacher and other senior leaders. He discussed with leaders how they intend to meet the standards, as outlined in the material change inspection.  The inspector looked at a wide range of documents and policies regarding the school’s curriculum for the proposed new pupils. He also considered documents relating to pupils’ health and well-being and the school’s safeguarding policy.  The inspector made a tour of the school site to consider how the resources in place will help to deliver the key stage 3 curriculum.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of the requested change.

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Inspection team

Ian Hardman, 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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