Harpurhey Alternative Provision School

School material change inspection report

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Harpurhey Alternative Provision School 270A Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester M40 5HQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor body and headteacher have paid attention to the most current statutory guidance for the safeguarding of pupils. A suitable and up-to-date policy is in place. In terms of safeguarding arrangements, leaders have introduced all the necessary policies to safeguard pupils in school.  The headteacher is the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and has completed the appropriate training to carry out this role. It is intended that other members of staff will also be trained to DSL level.  All new staff receive appropriate induction, safeguarding training and regular updates on areas such as radicalisation and extremism, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, sexting, e-safety and the action to be taken to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor body has not ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire

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Main inspection findings

Safety) Order 2005. A visiting fire safety officer identified a number of fire safety recommendations for the building. Some of these recommendations have not been completed. These include risks relating to inadequate lighting and ensuring that ‘in the event of a fire, those inside do not get lost while exiting the building’. At the time of the inspection, there was insufficient internal lighting at the rear fire door. There were no obvious visible signs to indicate and direct people to the rear fire door, although this was addressed during the inspection. Additionally, the rear fire door opens out on to an enclosed grassed area and a padlocked gate. School staff did not have a key to this padlock. As a result, if pupils used this fire exit in the event of a fire, they would not be evacuated to a safe distance from the building.  The proprietor body has adopted a written health and safety policy which was

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Main inspection findings

provided by the owner of the building. It covers the full range of health and safety considerations and it appears to be appropriately tailored to the premises. It complies with all relevant laws. However, in practice the proprietor body has not taken responsibility for the health and safety documentation provided by the owner of the building. The proprietor body has not adapted this generic health and safety documentation to reflect the fact that pupils are being educated on the premises. This is a particular concern in relation to fire safety.  A written risk-assessment policy is in place. There is a generic risk assessment for the temporary school building. However, it lacks detail and does not address some of the potential safety risks relating to educating pupils in the temporary building. For example, there is a theatre bar and lounge area, and a theatre auditorium with access to electrical equipment and backstage materials. These may pose a risk to pupils’

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Main inspection findings

welfare and safety.  The risk assessments completed for individual pupils show that leaders have thought carefully about how to support pupils with behavioural needs. Risk assessments identify appropriate actions to minimise the risks to individual pupils and those around them. There are also suitable risk assessments for visits to the local park for physical education (PE) sessions and visits further afield.  With the exception of aspects of safe fire evacuation, there are well-thought-out systems for the security and safety of pupils in regard to them entering and exiting the building on a daily basis. For example, the headteacher ensures an adult always accompanies pupils around the school. Appropriate doors are locked to manage pupil movement. Pupils are logged in on arrival and parents and carers are contacted to let them know their child has arrived at school safely or is on their way home.  The independent school standards are unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  The temporary school building is housed in a small local community theatre. Two spaces have been set up for teaching, one in the bar-lounge area and one in the theatre auditorium. There is also a small reception area and an office.  There are appropriate toilet facilities. All toilets can be secured from the inside. There is running hot and cold water. The hot water is at an appropriate temperature. There are signs indicating that the water is not suitable for drinking. Pupils have suitable access to drinking water throughout the day.  There are no separate changing facilities for boys and girls. There are no shower facilities on the temporary school site. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  An appropriate medical room has been set aside with a sink for washing. There is

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Main inspection findings

easy access to a toilet. A portable bed, bedding and a first-aid kit were in the medical room at the time of the inspection. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The accommodation is appropriately heated and has suitable acoustics. The teaching areas are adequate, with tables and chairs that are appropriate for pupils to work at comfortably. However, there is no source of natural light and, while the external lighting is of an appropriate standard, the internal lighting is not. It is subdued and gloomy. Therefore, the accommodation meets some, but not all the requirements for the health, safety and the welfare of pupils. Additionally, because the proprietor body has not ensured that the fire safety recommendations have been actioned, the welfare and safety of pupils in the event of a fire is compromised. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  PE activities, in accordance with the school’s curriculum requirements, are timetabled

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Main inspection findings

and take place off site at the local park. The park is in close proximity to the school. However, pupils do not have access to a safe outdoor area for when they need a break when not in lessons.  The independent school standards are unmet.

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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 headteacher do not have a secure understanding of the independent school standards. Most of the independent school standards are unmet. As a result, leaders are not fulfilling their responsibilities to meet all these standards consistently and effectively.  The proprietor body and headteacher are committed and passionate about providing an education for the pupils for whom they are responsible. They are trying to secure a more suitable and permanent base for the school. They are concerned about the well- being and welfare of pupils. However, they have not ensured that the school building is safe against fire risks, nor that all precautions against health and safety risks contained within in the building have been actioned. Therefore, leaders do not fulfil their responsibilities to actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 The independent school standards are unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school does not have an accessibility plan.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not 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, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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 compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Proprietor Manchester Collegiate Education Trust

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School details

Email address admin@haps.manchester.sch.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 13–15 November 2018

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recommendation

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

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 15 65 25

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recommendation

The school’s present agreed capacity is for 65 pupils. However, in discussion with the headteacher, it was acknowledged that the school cannot cater for this number of pupils in its present circumstances. The school is situated in small temporary accommodation and the final location of the school is still not confirmed. It was agreed that 25 pupils is a more appropriate number. Therefore, the inspector is recommending a lowering of the school’s current agreed number on roll.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 15 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 1 Not known

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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 1 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 3 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 4 4

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Information about this school

 The change of accommodation that is the subject of this material change has already taken place. The proprietor body decided that the change of accommodation prior to a material change being confirmed was prudent and appropriate. This was due to the health and safety concerns that the proprietor body had relating to the former temporary school building.  The original school building, inspected at the time of the last independent standard inspection in November 2018, was sold by the landlord, resulting in the proprietor body needing to find alternative accommodation for the school’s pupils. Following the sale of the original school building, the first temporary premises occupied by the school was found to be unsuitable. This resulted in the proprietor body finding the second and present temporary accommodation, while a permanent school building is still to be found. The school has been in the present temporary accommodation since

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Information about this school

the 10 January 2022.  Since the previous independent standard inspection (November 2018), some teaching staff and the previous headteacher have left the school. New teaching staff have been appointed and a new headteacher was appointed in January 2021. The proprietor body has remained the same.  The school does not use alternative providers.

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Information about this inspection

 The proprietor body has applied for a material change due to the school moving to a new building.  The Department for Education (DfE) requested that Ofsted conduct a material change inspection to report against paragraphs 11, 12 and 16 of part 3 of the independent school standards. The DfE also requested a report against parts 5 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  This is the school’s first material change inspection since the school’s independent standard inspection in November 2018.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher. She had a telephone conversation with the representative of the proprietor body, who is also the chair of the governing body. She also spoke to the school business manager.  The inspector made a tour of the school to check the suitability of the new premises

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Information about this inspection

against the relevant independent school standards. She also looked at a range of documents and policies relevant to the material change request. These included health and safety, fire-safety and risk-assessment documentation. The inspector also checked documents relating to safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Sue Eastwood, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 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].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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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)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.  25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school 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.  27 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 27(a) the lighting in each room or other internal space is suitable, having regard to the nature of the activities which normally take place therein.  29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable– – 29(1)(b) pupils to play outside.

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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.

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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