TLG Torbay

School pre-registration inspection report

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TLG Torbay Upton Vale Baptist Church, St Marychurch Road, Castle Circus, Torquay, Devon TQ1 3HY

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)–2(2)(i), 3–3(f), 3(j)  The proprietor has produced a curriculum policy which is available to parents and carers on the school’s website. This policy sets out the subjects that pupils can study alongside an enhanced focus on English and mathematics.  Leaders and staff have created curriculums for each subject offered. The curriculums set out the knowledge that pupils will learn while developing positive behaviours for learning. The curriculums are adapted to ensure that pupils catch up with any gaps in their learning, particularly in English and mathematics. Pupils in key stage 4 will work towards national qualifications, such as GCSEs and functional skills.  The proprietor has created a detailed careers education programme for pupils so that they can consider their next steps for further education, training and employment. The programme enables pupils to receive careers advice from a breadth of

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Main inspection findings

professionals.  The proprietor has adapted a commercial curriculum for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education to meet the needs and interests of pupils. The curriculum will enable pupils to develop their understanding of healthy relationships and how to keep themselves physically and emotionally safe. In addition, pupils will learn about the importance of British values, such as democracy and the rule of law. Through the study of religious education, pupils will learn how to respect and understand different faiths and cultures. Paragraph 3(a–j)  Staff currently plan lessons to enable pupils to review prior learning so that they can learn new concepts with confidence. Staff adapt the curriculum dependent on the learning needs of pupils to help them learn successfully.  The proprietor has established an assessment framework to determine what pupils know and remember. This information is used to shape the curriculum for individual

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Main inspection findings

pupils. On entry to the school, pupils undergo a series of assessments to ensure that the curriculum addresses their learning needs. All pupils undergo regular reading assessments to ensure that appropriate support is in place. The information from these assessments is used to report to parents.  The school is operating currently without registration. At the time of inspection, the school had two pupils who attend full time. None of the pupils has an education, health and care plan and there are no children looked after.  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  The PSHE curriculum sets out clearly how the school intends to develop pupils’ understanding of citizenship in modern Britain. The curriculum enables pupils to recognise and understand the risks associated with extremism and radicalisation. Pupils also learn about how to keep safe online and beyond school.  Leaders have designed a curriculum to ‘reset’ pupils’ behaviours for learning. The PSHE curriculum is intended to develop pupils’ self-esteem as well as their emotional and physical well-being. Leaders also intend to make pupils aware of the dangers associated with drugs and alcohol use.  Pupils learn about the importance of respecting diversity, including those from other cultures and faiths. The curriculum is designed to encourage pupils to respect individual differences and to demonstrate empathy and compassion.

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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 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–16  The proprietor has ensured that safeguarding arrangements are in place to protect and promote pupils’ well-being. The proprietor has ensured that all staff are trained to safeguard pupils and the designated safeguarding lead has completed further training. Regular updates are provided to staff. All staff have read ‘Keeping children safe in education, 2021’ to support them in their work to identify when a child is at risk and take suitable action.  The school’s safeguarding policy follows the latest guidance from the Secretary of State and is on the school’s website for parents to access.  The proprietor has drawn up a behaviour policy to promote pupils’ positive behaviour. The policy is available to parents on the school’s website. It contains clear procedures and sanctions to ensure that pupils understand the importance of positive behaviour.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has an anti-bullying policy on its website. It sets out the procedures for dealing with bullying issues should they occur.  The proprietor has created a health and safety policy which explains the school’s processes for keeping pupils and staff safe and promoting their welfare. The school’s risk assessment policy demonstrates that the proprietor has plans in place to identify and take appropriate action to address the risks posed to pupils.  The school has taken action to comply with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire exits are clearly signposted and evacuation procedures are in place. The fire alarm is tested weekly by the owner of the building. Pupils regularly practise fire drills.  The proprietor has designed a suitable first-aid policy. The proprietor has ensured that appropriate first-aid equipment is provided and that staff have had sufficient training.

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Main inspection findings

An accident log is kept up to date and reviewed routinely by leaders. This information is shared with parents. There is a locked medicine cupboard which only staff can access.  The proprietor has ensured that the school employs a suitable number of staff to provide appropriate supervision. As the number of pupils increases, the proprietor plans to increase the number of staff accordingly.  The proprietor has created an admissions register to comply with The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. Pupils are registered twice daily. Staff use the correct codes for absence and are vigilant in contacting parents if pupils do not attend school.  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 18–21  All necessary checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children are completed before they start at the school.  Suitable checks are completed for members of the board of trustees.  Leaders know the checks they need to make should they employ supply staff.  All checks on the suitability of staff are recorded correctly in the school’s single central record as required. The proprietor monitors this regularly to ensure that it is up to date and accurate.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 22–29  The premises are well maintained. The classrooms are well presented and well equipped to help pupils to learn. The rooms are well lit and heated. The school is in part of a church that has been suitably adapted to operate as a school.  The premises have suitable toilet and washing facilities. There are separate toilets for girls and boys. There is an accessible toilet for disabled pupils. There is enough hot and cold water. The hot water does not pose a scalding risk to pupils.  Pupils have access to drinking water at all times.  Pupils can use the sports hall in the church building under supervision for physical education and play. There is also a shower and changing room for pupils to use.  There is a suitable medical room with a sink which is close to toilet facilities. There is a bed for pupils to use if they feel ill or need medical treatment.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has suitable external lighting which operates day and night.  There is a small outdoor terrace which is supervised to ensure that pupils are safe at all times.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32  The proprietor has a strong understanding of the independent school standards and has designed a breadth of appropriate policies to comply with them. All policies are on the school’s website for parents to access.  The school’s website provides contact details of the school, the proprietor, the headteacher and the board of trustees. There are also contact details for parents to use during the school holidays.  The proprietor ensures that parents receive a report about their child’s progress.  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  The complaints policy meets all of the requirements of the independent school standards. For example, the policy outlines the timescales for each stage of a complaint and the details about different stages, including the independent panel should this be required. The policy states that all complaints will be recorded alongside the steps taken to resolve the complaint.  The complaints procedure is on the school’s website for parents to access.  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  The board of trustees from the Transforming Lives for Good charity acts as a governing body for the school. The charity runs 12 schools across the country.  The proprietor, headteacher and staff demonstrate strong understanding of the independent school standards. Regular monitoring of the school’s compliance with the standards is carried out by leaders from the Transforming Lives for Good charity.  The proprietor, headteacher and staff have a clear vision about enabling pupils who have struggled in mainstream schools to ‘reset’ their behaviour and learn effectively. A robust curriculum, alongside a well-designed assessment system, has been created to help pupils catch up with their peers so that they can return to mainstream school with confidence and success.  Leaders have ensured that suitable arrangements are in place to promote pupils’ well-

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Main inspection findings

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

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has designed an appropriate accessibility plan which is on the school’s website.

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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 Other Independent Special School

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Proposed school details

School status Independent Special School

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Proposed school details

Proprietor Transforming Lives for Good (TLG)

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £8,000 to £21,500

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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 2 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 30

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 30

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proposal

Inspector’s recommendation Age range of pupils 12–14 11–16 11–16 Number of pupils on the school roll 2 12 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Boys Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 2 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 2 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 12

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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 0 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 2

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Information about this proposed school

 TLG Torbay intends to open as an independent alternative provision school.  The school is part of the Christian charity Transforming Lives for Good, which works with partner churches across the country to set up independent alternative provision schools.  The school will work predominantly with pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. All pupils will be dual registered with a mainstream school.  Leaders do not intend to make use of any alternative providers.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was conducted by Ofsted under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.  This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education.  This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection. The school is already operating with two pupils.  The lead inspector met online with the chair of the proprietorial body. Meetings were held with the headteacher, the executive headteacher and the safeguarding lead for the charity Transforming Lives for Good.  The lead inspector toured the school to check the premises as well as scrutinising documentation relating to the independent school standards and the school’s curriculum. The lead inspector also scrutinised records relating to how the school keeps pupils safe and ensures their welfare, health and safety.

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Inspection team

Susan Aykin, 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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