Red Balloon Learner Centre, Worthing

School pre-registration inspection report

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Red Balloon Learner Centre, Worthing 52–54 Windsor Road, Worthing BN11 2LY

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)–2(2)(b), 2(2)(d)–2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g)–4  The proposed school’s curriculum policy sets out well its aims of meeting the needs of pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Specifically, the proposed school intends to admit pupils whose needs have led them to refuse to attend school. The curriculum is in three parts: personal well-being; social re- engagement; and academic education.  Pupils will be supported to manage their personal well-being and to develop confidence with the support of trained therapists and mentors. This part of the curriculum will be pupil-centred and based on pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans as well as pupils’ interests and needs. It will prioritise raising self-esteem, self- awareness and social interaction.  The planned academic curriculum is of sufficient breadth. There are curriculum plans

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Main inspection findings

and schemes of work to support the entire curriculum from Year 7 to Year 11. Teachers will be trained in how to adapt plans to meet pupils’ interests and to fill pupils’ gaps in learning. At key stage 3, pupils are likely to learn through a project- based approach. The main focus will be on acquiring literacy and numeracy skills while re-engaging pupils in education. At key stage 4, leaders intend that pupils will study a range of subjects. They will work towards qualifications appropriate to their abilities, including GCSEs.  Leaders intend that the sixth form provision is an extension of key stage 4 to allow those pupils who need it extra time to be ready for their next stages of education, training or work. Some pupils may be supported to attend college placements.  The planned curriculum promotes personal, social and health education (PSHE) and does not undermine British values. Pupils will be provided with relationships and sex

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Main inspection findings

education. Plans are in place to consult with parents on the content of this programme.  Leaders intend to ensure that pupils receive impartial careers advice.  There is space for some exercise outside in the garden. Tables in the dining room are collapsible to allow space for some physical education inside also. However, the school intends for pupils to study physical education at a local leisure centre.  Pupils are likely to be taught in small groups of up to five. Leaders intend for teachers to be well trained and hold qualified teacher status. It is intended that one will hold a special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) qualification. The headteacher intends to use a performance management programme to monitor the teaching of the curriculum. Teachers will receive training in how to manage pupils’ behaviour and how to adapt learning to meet pupils’ needs.  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(d)(iii)  The school’s curriculum is likely to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well.  The PSHE curriculum is planned to promote respect and understanding for others and pupils themselves. In particular, leaders intend to teach pupils to respect people with different views to their own. Leaders intend to teach about people with protected characteristics.  Leaders intend to teach pupils about public institutions that can help them, including the police and the national health service.  It is likely that the standard in this part will be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–7(a).  The proprietorial body recognises that other schools who share the ‘Red Balloon’ name were found to have ineffective safeguarding practice in previous inspections. The proprietorial body has taken this seriously by appointing a chair and director of

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Main inspection findings

education who are both well trained in safeguarding. They are determined that safeguarding practice in this school will be effective.  The interim headteacher, who is also the director of education of the proprietorial body, has had designated safeguarding lead (DSL) training and holds a current certificate. It is intended that at least three school staff will be DSL trained. All staff will have annual safeguarding training using an online system. They will have additional, regular training tailored to the special educational needs and associated vulnerabilities of the pupils in the school.  Staff will be trained how to notice and record concerns about pupils’ well-being and safety. Recording will be through a well-known electronic system. Staff will receive training in the use of this system. Leaders will be trained in how to spot patterns of concerns for individual pupils and pupils as a whole. The director of education intends

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Main inspection findings

for leaders to have specific training on local thresholds of concern and to check that leaders use these to ensure that the local authority is notified when there are concerns about pupils’ safety.  Pupils will receive education to help keep themselves safe in their community and online, including e-safety and as part of relationships education.  It is likely that pupils will begin coming to school on a part-time timetable. Leaders will monitor pupils’ attendance carefully to ensure this builds quickly over time. They intend for first-day-of-absence procedures to be followed by staff. Leaders are alert to the risks associated with pupils not being in school, including child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation. They intend to liaise closely with parents to ensure pupils are safe when not in school as their timetable builds.  The proprietorial body intends that safeguarding will be monitored through trained

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Main inspection findings

governors and the director of education. They will report regularly to the proprietorial body, who hold the statutory responsibility for safeguarding.  The school site is still being refurbished and is not currently safe to open as a school. For example, there are wires inside and outside that are not securely fastened to walls, windows with broken locks and a wall in the garden to secure the boundary is being rebuilt. There are people on site completing this work.  Because the site is not safe, leaders have not ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 7(b).  There is a thorough safeguarding policy in place. This has been written in line with statutory guidance and prioritises the likely needs and vulnerabilities of the pupils the school intends to admit. It sets out clearly the risks pupils might face to their well- being. Requirements for the training of staff, governors and the DSL are in line with

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Main inspection findings

statutory guidance. Procedures for reporting concerns are clear, including when required to the local authority, social services and the police. Paragraphs 9–10.  The behaviour and anti-bullying policies are in place and appropriate for the needs of the pupils the school intends to admit. The proprietorial body has a strong understanding of the types and patterns of behaviour that pupils are likely to display. They understand that such behaviour is often a form of communication and may be linked to pupils’ traumatic backgrounds.  Leaders intend to encourage an ethos of ‘unconditional positive regard’ which is reflected in their policies. They do not intend to tolerate unkind or unsafe behaviour. Should this happen, their approach will be to discuss with pupils why the behaviour is inappropriate with the aim of helping pupils to understand that.  Leaders demonstrated a strong understanding of how bullying might happen in the

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Main inspection findings

school and how it will be addressed. Pupils will receive education about bullying, including how to manage online devices and how to report bullying.  Exclusion is intended to be rare, and used only to keep a pupil or others safe. Leaders stated that it is likely that should it be necessary to consider exclusion, this would be alongside an emergency review of the pupil’s EHC plan.  Teachers, mentors and therapists will be trained in the behaviour policy. Mentors will support the implementation of the policy. Therapists will explore why the behaviour is happening and help pupils to know how to manage it.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Paragraphs 11–12.  There is appropriate fire safety equipment on site. Leaders intend that this will be checked regularly, including an annual professional check. An evacuation plan has been established. Pupils who need a specific plan will be identified on entry and plans

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Main inspection findings

drawn up to support their evacuation.  A new fire system has been installed throughout the site. One check on the system has been made but changes are required that have yet to be signed off as acceptable by a qualified fire assessor.  The proprietorial body has employed a caretaker to oversee the health and safety of the site. He will monitor that the right checks are carried out on the site and that the health and safety policy is followed.  There are appropriate policies for health and safety and fire safety, but because the site is not ready, these policies are not ready to be implemented effectively.  School leaders have not ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Paragraphs 13–16(b).  The first-aid policy is in place. Staff will be trained in first aid and leaders will ensure that a trained member of staff is on site at all times. First aid equipment is intended to be placed around the school site. A travel-kit will be taken on trips.

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Main inspection findings

 There are appropriate plans in place to ensure that staffing levels will provide enough supervision for pupils. Leaders intend that there will be 10 staff for the 20 intended pupils.  The proprietor intends to use a computer-based management information system for the school’s admissions and attendance registers.  There is an extensive risk assessment policy in place which identifies a range of risks for the building, trips and individual pupils. All pupils will have an individual risk assessment. Leaders will use an electronic risk assessment programme when taking pupils on trips.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6)–21(3)(b), 21(5)– 21(7)(b)  Leaders are aware of the required checks that need to be made on adults working in the school. There is clear guidance for staff on how to do the required checks. This

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Main inspection findings

includes staff, contractors, volunteers, governors and visitors. Checks on the proprietorial body and their employees are also made.  There is a single central record in place ready to be filled in when staff are appointed. This will be kept securely as an electronic document.  Leaders are aware of the checks they need to do on the suitability of staff should they choose to use any supply staff or any alternative provision.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22(1)–23(1)(a), 24(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 28(1)–28(1)(c), 28(2)–29(1)(b).  The proposed school premises are two adjoining houses in a residential road. They were previously used as a care home. They consist of several rooms that are intended for use as general classrooms, a medical room, wet-room with shower, art room and science laboratory. There will also be an office, staff kitchen and large room intended

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Main inspection findings

for pupils to relax in and eat in. There is a garden at the back of the house with a small, decked area, some sheds, bike rack and a lawn and with shrubs throughout.  The site is currently being refurbished. One of the two houses is closer to being ready than the other, but neither are currently safe to open. There are windows without locks on, wires not safely attached to the walls and a boundary wall in the garden being rebuilt.  The garden is intended for use by pupils to relax and for physical education. Because it is in a state of disrepair it is not suitable for pupils to use.  There are toilets designated for pupil use, but one of these is in a state of disrepair and does not have hot water for washing.  The medical room is not ready for use. It is in a state of disrepair and does not contain a bed.  All cold water on site is drinking water, however none of this is labelled.  There is fire safety equipment including smoke detectors, extinguishers, fire doors and

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Main inspection findings

exit lighting in place, but the required fire safety inspection has not confirmed the building meets fire-safety requirements.  Once refurbished, it is likely that the two buildings together will be large enough to accommodate 20 pupils.  The requirements of these standards are not likely to be met. Paragraphs 23(1)(b)–23(1)(c), 26–27(b), 28(1)(d).  The temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk to users.  Internal lighting and acoustics are suitable. The large windows throughout make the house very light. There is a streetlight outside that provides suitable lighting so that people can safely enter and leave the school premises.  There are separate toilet facilities intended for use by one pupil at a time.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)–32(1)(d), 32(1)(f)–32(4)(c)  The school website has been populated with the required information and policies that

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Main inspection findings

must be made available to parents. This includes the contact details of the school and proprietorial body.  At induction, parents will also receive directly a pack of relevant policies. They will receive termly written reports on pupils’ attainment and progress.  Leaders are familiar with the requirements to publish other information as it becomes available, including inspection reports.  The requirements of this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33(a)–33(f), 33(h)–33(k)  The complaints policy sets out clear timescales for the management of a complaint. It provides for complaints to be dealt with on an informal basis in school before being escalated to a formal process.  There is provision for a panel hearing consisting of at least three people not directly involved in the matters detailed in the complaint. The policy allows for the complainant to be accompanied and that any findings or recommendations must be

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Main inspection findings

made available to the complainant, and may be made available to the person complained about.  Leaders have made the policy available on the school’s website and understand their responsibilities to publish the number of complaints made against the school in the last academic year.  The requirements of these parts are likely to be met. Paragraph 33(g)  The policy does not state that, where there is a panel hearing, one panel member is independent of the management and running of the school. The wording used indicated this would be at the chair’s discretion. Leaders were not clear enough about what would constitute an independent person.  The requirements of this part are not likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The proprietorial body has experience of leadership of other ‘Red Balloon’ schools. The chair has significant experience of leadership in maintained schools. The director

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Main inspection findings

of education has experience of school leadership also and understands the needs of the cohort of pupils the school intends to admit. Together, they have thought carefully about the specifics of how this school will operate. Promotion of pupils’ well-being is at the heart of what leaders intend.  In particular, a scheme of delegation clearly sets out the responsibilities of the proposed local governing body. It is intended that they will have strategic oversight of the proposed school. No one has yet been appointed to the local governing body, but there are plans to ensure that membership includes a parent and local people with an appropriate range of skills and experience. They will oversee the quality of education, safeguarding and well-being, and report on this to the proprietorial body.  Leaders intend that staff be trained in the school’s policies and procedures, particularly expectations for the curriculum, behaviour management and safeguarding.

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Main inspection findings

The director of education intends to visit regularly to ensure that the headteacher and other staff work effectively.  The proposed school buildings are still being refurbished, so leaders were unable to demonstrate that the independent school standards will be likely to be consistently met.  Therefore, school leaders have not ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  None of the school’s proposed policies or procedures are likely to contradict the requirements of this act. Leaders describe equalities, and understanding difference, as central to the work of the proposed school.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Proprietor Red Balloon Educational Trust

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) Between £24,000 and £40,000

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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 11–18 11–18 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 20 8

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  Leaders’ stated intention is to get one of its two adjoining houses ready to open first, and then request a material change when the second part is ready. The first house will only reasonably accommodate eight pupils.

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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 20

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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 20

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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 20

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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 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 6

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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 0

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is to be situated on a residential street. The accommodation consists of two adjoining houses. Rooms are being converted into classrooms with some office space, staff kitchen and relaxation/eating space. There is a garden at the rear of the property that pupils will be able to use. Leaders anticipate that one house will be finished and ready to be occupied sooner than the other.  The proposed school intends to cater for pupils who struggle to attend school. Some may have experienced significant bullying, and some may have a history of trauma or self-harm. It is likely that all pupils will have an EHC plan for SEMH needs. The school’s aim is to support pupils in re-engaging with school so that they attend regularly, start learning again and plan for a positive future. The Red Balloon charity has set up some other schools across the country that cater for the same cohort of pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 The purpose of this inspection was to check whether the school is likely to meet the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, if the DfE decides to register it. It was the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector visited the proposed school site and met with the director of education, caretaker and project manager of the renovation. She toured the site of the proposed school. The inspector held a remote meeting with two trustees while on the proposed school site.  The inspector then conducted the rest of the inspection remotely, holding remote meetings with the director of education and scrutinising a range of documentation and records presented as evidence towards the school’s likelihood to meet the independent school standards. The inspector also reviewed the school’s website and looked at the single central record of recruitment checks.

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Inspection team

Catherine Old, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school.  11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils.  24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including– – 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility.  24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).  25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.  28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 28(1)(a) suitable drinking water facilities are provided – 28(1)(b) toilets and urinals have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water – 28(1)(c) cold water supplies that are suitable for drinking are clearly marked as such.  28(2) The facilities provided under sub-paragraph (1)(a) will be suitable only if– – 28(2)(a) they are readily accessible at all times when the premises are in use; and – 28(2)(b) they are in a separate area from the toilet facilities.  29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable–

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 29(1)(a) physical education to be provided to pupils in accordance with the school curriculum; and – 29(1)(b) pupils to play outside.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

 33 The standard about the manner in which complaints are handled is met if the proprietor ensures that a complaints procedure is drawn up and effectively implemented which deals with the handling of complaints from parents of pupils and which– – 33(g) ensures that, where there is a panel hearing of a complaint, one panel member is independent of the management and running of the school.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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