Brick Lane School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Brick Lane School Bacon Street, Tower Hamlets, London E2 6DY

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have developed ambitious curriculum and assessment policies. These suitably consider the needs of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and specifically the needs of those with education, health and care (EHC) plans for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  The proposed long-term curriculum maps and detailed plans cover all the subjects of the national curriculum. The plans are sequenced well and take account of pupils’ different ages, abilities and interests. All the required areas of learning are covered for pupils aged five to 16. For post-16 students, an appropriate curriculum offer has been designed. It comprises a core curriculum that aims to develop students’ personal and social development, including preparing them for independent living, and a range of qualification choices.  The planned programme for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education

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Main inspection findings

is likely to be suitable. The programme includes coverage of fundamental British values and equality, and focuses on developing pupils’ confidence, communication and social skills.  The proposed school will not have a religious ethos. Pupils will be taught about a range of religions, faiths and cultures as part of PSHE education.  The school’s proposed relationships and sex education programme covers all the required areas of national guidance. The school’s policy states that leaders plan to consult with parents and carers about the programme’s content. It also informs them about the possibility of withdrawing their children from sex education. These are all likely to be compliant with the guidance.  Leaders have made suitable plans to ensure that pupils of secondary age access regular impartial, up-to-date and wide-ranging careers information, advice and guidance.  The proposed school is likely to be well resourced and staffed. The arrangements to

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Main inspection findings

recruit and develop teachers, and check on the quality of education, are likely to be suitable.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school 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 All paragraphs  The proposed PSHE education curriculum includes coverage of healthy relationships, physical and mental well-being, and keeping safe. It is complemented by a wide- ranging programme of assemblies, trips, visitors, clubs and enrichment activities.  Pupils will be helped to develop their social skills. They will learn about and be encouraged to respect differences, including for people with protected characteristics. They will learn about British values, the diversity of modern society, and how to be a good citizen.  The proposed school’s partisan views policy makes it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan political views. It makes clear that balanced points of view must always be presented in the teaching of any political topic.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance and will be available online. The headteacher, who will have responsibility for safeguarding, has completed enhanced-level safeguarding training. All staff have been, or will be, suitably trained in advance of the school opening. Leaders are aware of their duties, and of the likely risks faced by their prospective pupils. They understand the importance of creating a strong safeguarding culture for their especially vulnerable pupils when the school opens.  The proposed school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to be suitable. They have been created with the needs of pupils with ASD in mind. There is a suitable online system for the recording of any incidents of serious misbehaviour, and any sanctions imposed as a result.  The proposed school’s health and safety and risk-assessment policies are likely to be

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Main inspection findings

suitable in reducing identified risks. Appropriate risk assessments have been completed for the premises. Suitable templates have been prepared for the risk assessment of individual pupils, visiting speakers and trips.  The proposed school’s first-aid policy is likely to be suitable. There are several trained first aiders. Suitable processes for logging accidents, providing first aid and managing medication are in place.  The proposed school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Extinguishers, smoke detection systems and the fire alarm are new. All the required checks, including of the emergency lighting, will be completed and logged in line with the requirements.  Attendance and admission registers are likely to be suitable.  The supervision of pupils is likely to be appropriate. The maximum class size will be seven pupils, supported by at least two staff members.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have ensured that the independent school 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 All paragraphs  All the required recruitment checks have been carried out and recorded accurately on a single central record. The proposed school’s safer recruitment process is likely to be thorough and compliant with national safeguarding guidance.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The proposed school occupies a building previously used by a mainstream primary school. The premises have been refurbished throughout to a very high standard. They are likely to be safe, clean and well maintained.  The premises include 11 classrooms and an open-plan area for reading, play and relaxation. There are specialist classrooms for the teaching of science, art and design, and cooking. There are suitable toilets and washing facilities, an appropriately equipped medical room and two large spaces for outdoor learning and play. There are two large halls, one for sports and one for assemblies and dining.  The acoustics, lighting, hot water and drinking water supplies are all likely to be suitable.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  All the required policies and information are available on the proposed school’s draft website.  The annual report template for parents is likely to meet requirements as it includes information about both pupils’ progress and their attainment.  Leaders are aware of their duty to provide funding authorities with annual statements of income and expenditure for pupils with EHC plans. They have prepared a suitable template.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The proposed school’s complaints policy and formal complaints log are likely to be suitable. The policy sets out clearly how leaders intend to deal with complaints informally and formally. The log includes the stage of resolution and any action taken as a result.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standard in this part is likely to be

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Proprietors and leaders have a secure working knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards. They are impeccably organised and have paid significant attention to detail in planning the opening of this proposed special school.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school’s accessibility plan is likely to meet this requirement.

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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

Type of school All-through day school for pupils with ASD

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Email address admin@bricklaneschool.co.uk

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proposal

Inspector’s recommendation Age range of pupils NA 5 to 18 5 to 18 Number of pupils on the school roll NA 76 76

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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 Up to 76

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable All pupils

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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 All pupils

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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 All pupils

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 30

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Information about this proposed school

 Brick Lane School is seeking to register as an independent special day school in Tower Hamlets.  The school intends to open in May 2022.  Placements at the proposed school will be for pupils with EHC plans for their ASD and other SEND.  The proposed school’s proprietor body is part of the Outcomes First Group.  Leaders do not intend to make any use of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to assess whether the provision is likely to meet all of the independent school standards if registered as an independent school.  This is the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The inspector met with a group of senior leaders, including the proposed school’s headteacher and a representative of the proprietor body.  The inspector toured the premises and considered a range of documentary evidence to check the likelihood of the proposed school meeting the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted 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.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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