City Junior School

School pre-registration inspection report

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City Junior School 4 Gray’s Inn Place, London WC1R 5EY

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have developed ambitious curriculum and assessment policies. The curriculum and teaching plans cover all the required areas of learning. Detailed schemes of work are in place for every national curriculum subject and for pupils aged seven to 11. The proposed school is academically selective and plans take account of pupils’ different abilities, as well as their ages and interests. Schemes of work are sequenced thoughtfully to reflect what the school expects pupils to learn from year to year in each subject.  The planned programme for personal, social, health, citizenship and economic (PSHCE) education is likely to be appropriate. Pupils will study the subject twice weekly, in addition to ‘thinking skills’ sessions. The proposed programme includes age-appropriate coverage of British values, equality and relationships.  Leaders have a clear understanding of the statutory requirements for relationships

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Main inspection findings

and sex education (RSE). The proposed school’s policy and plans for RSE are likely to be suitable.  The proposed school is likely to be well resourced and staffed.  Leaders intend to use the same systems for assuring the quality of education in place at the organisation’s other schools.  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 PSHCE education curriculum includes coverage of British values, healthy relationships, citizenship, and safety. Pupils are likely to develop their social and communication skills and learn about differences, including all the protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act 2010.  Leaders intend to provide a diverse programme of extra-curricular clubs at breaktimes and lunchtimes, facilitated by staff and some external providers. Choices for pupils will include music, sports, classics, dance, embroidery and osteology.  The planned religious education curriculum ensures that pupils will be taught about a range of religions, faiths and cultures. It is likely to encourage mutual respect and tolerance of their own and other cultures, and the faiths and beliefs of others.  The proposed school’s staff code of conduct makes clear that no member of staff may

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Main inspection findings

promote partisan views, and that balanced points of view must always be presented in the teaching of any political topic.  The independent school standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  Leaders understand the importance of creating and maintaining a strong safeguarding culture. They ensure they train staff to be knowledgeable, vigilant and pro-active in raising concerns. The proposed school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance and is available online. The system that will be used for raising concerns and recording actions taken is likely to be suitable.  The proposed school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to meet requirements. Leaders have written clear guidance on rewarding positive behaviour, and sanctioning poor behaviour, including suspensions and exclusions.  Arrangements for the provision of first aid are likely to meet the requirements.

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Main inspection findings

Trained first aiders are in place, with an additional group of staff booked to be trained shortly after this inspection. Suitable processes are in place for providing first aid, documenting accidents and managing pupils’ medication.  The proposed school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 once all the remaining actions identified on a recent external fire risk assessment have been completed. The alarm, smoke detection and emergency lighting systems are new, as are the fire extinguishers. The new premises manager will be responsible for ensuring that all the required fire safety checks are completed and logged.  The proposed school’s health and safety and risk assessment policies are likely to meet the required aspects of health and safety in reducing identified risks. Appropriate risk assessments have been completed for the premises and for regular use of the outdoor areas.

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Main inspection findings

 Admissions and attendance registers will be maintained online, in line with statutory requirements. They are likely to be suitable.  The supervision of pupils is likely to be suitable. The proposed school’s maximum class size is 25 pupils, typically taught and supported by two members of staff. Arrangements for supervising breaktimes and lunchtimes have been well thought through.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The proposed school’s recruitment process is thorough. All the required pre- employment checks have been carried out and recorded accurately on a single central record of checks. All adults involved in the proposed school, from the proprietors to volunteers, are included on the single central record. Those responsible for the recruitment and vetting process have a secure knowledge and understanding of all

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Main inspection findings

the requirements.  The proposed school does not intend to employ supply or agency staff.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The proposed school will be located within the former college of law building in Gray’s Inn. This inspection considered the half of the premises that have been completely refurbished to a high specification. Works on the other half of the building are ongoing.  The section of the premises considered includes enough classrooms to accommodate up to 150 pupils. At breaktimes and lunchtimes, pupils will access the outdoor gardens for play and recreation. They will make use of local parks for physical education, as well as facilities at the organisation’s other schools.  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities on all floors for pupils and staff. The acoustics, lighting, hot water and drinking water supplies are all likely to be suitable.

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Main inspection findings

 The medical room is likely to meet all the requirements as it includes a washing facility and is near a toilet.  Some of the windows on the upper floor open too widely. Leaders intend to ensure these windows are locked until restrictors are fitted.  The premises are likely to be kept clean and well maintained.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  The required policies and information are available on the proposed school’s website.  The proposed school’s intended reports for parents and carers include detailed information about pupils’ attainment and progress in all subjects. 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 sets out, with clear timescales, how leaders will deal with both informal and formal complaints. The formal complaints log includes

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Main inspection findings

the stage of resolution and any action taken as a result.  The independent school standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Leaders have a sharp working knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards. They have worked hard in planning the opening of this new school.  The proposed arrangements for leadership, management and governance are likely to ensure that all the requirements will be met consistently if operational as an approved independent school.  The independent school standard in this part is likely to be met. 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 Co-educational primary day school

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Proposed school details

Proprietor The Mayor and Commonality and Citizens of the City of London Chair Robert Howard

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Proposed school details

Email address enquires@cityjuniorschool.org.uk

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 7 to 11 7 to 11 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 300 150

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  The refurbishment of around half of the proposed school’s premises is complete. There is currently only capacity for an initial intake of up to 150 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 300

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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 Up to 30

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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 Up to 5

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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 None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 9 (up to 150 pupils) 12 (up to 300 pupils) Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 2 (up to 150 pupils) 6 (up to 300 pupils) Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 7 (up to 150 pupils) 21 (up to 300 pupils)

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed proprietors intend to open City Junior School as a selective independent primary day school from 12 September 2022, but have a contingency plan to delay the opening to 31 October 2022.  The proprietors currently run three independent schools: City of London School, City of London School for Girls, and City of London Freemen’s School. These schools are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.  The proposed school’s initial intake comprises 149 pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  Leaders were given two days of notice.  The inspector met with the headteacher and the chair of the proprietor body. He also met with the bursar, the organisation’s compliance manager, and the deputy headteacher. There were no pupils present during the inspection.  The inspector toured the premises and considered a range of written evidence to check the likelihood of the proposed school meeting all 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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