The T3 School

School pre-registration inspection report

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The T3 School Sydenham House, Church Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 1RD

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)(a)–2(2)(c)  Leaders have adopted appropriate curriculum plans to cater for the needs of pupils at the school. They possess expertise and experience in supporting pupils with gaps in their education and have squarely focused their curriculum on helping pupils to become proficient and able readers to broaden their ability to access the full curriculum. Paragraph 2(2)(d)– 2(2)(e)(iii)  Leaders have established an agreement with a local provider for impartial careers guidance. The school enjoys close links with local colleges and employers which leaders intend to utilise to deliver meaningful and tailored workplace experiences. Paragraph 2A(1)(b)  Leaders have used a commercial scheme to develop the relationships and sex education curriculum. This provides a clear steer for staff to plan for and deliver sequences of lessons to improve pupils’ knowledge of relationships, boundaries,

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Main inspection findings

personal hygiene and safe, consensual sex. They understand their responsibility to consult with parents when pupils do join the school roll. Paragraphs 3 – 4  Leaders intend to perform much of the initial teaching and have a framework in place so that pupils’ progress is checked, and that teachers’ performance is monitored. As new staff begin working at the school, leaders have coherent plans for thorough induction to ensure their policies, plans and procedures are followed.  Leaders’ knowledge of the curriculum and the comprehensive quality of the planning already in place indicate that the independent school standards (the standards) in part 1 are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5 – 5(d)(iii)  The plans for pupils’ personal, social and health education are well sequenced and could viably support pupils to develop a clear and broad understanding of the world

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Main inspection findings

around them.  In addition to learning in school, leaders plan to take pupils to places of worship and cultural significance to develop pupils’ knowledge of how others think, pray, work and relax.  In addition to the taught curriculum, leaders plan to set weekly behavioural targets for all pupils which will be tailored to their individual needs and closely linked to pupils’ education, health and care plans.  Given the leaders’ knowledge of pupils’ likely needs and the comprehensive planning already in place, the standards in part 2 are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–7(b)  Leaders have developed comprehensive safeguarding systems and policies which draw on their knowledge of national and local guidance. These policies provide a clear steer to staff to help them to identify, record and report safeguarding concerns quickly and efficiently.  Leaders understand their responsibilities and the local routes for reporting concerns

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Main inspection findings

about pupils and staff. They have commissioned a recording system that is fit for purpose, navigable and secure. Paragraphs 9–10  Policies for the promotion of good behaviour are clear and ambitious. They outline clearly the expectations of pupils and how misbehaviour, including bullying, will be challenged and sanctioned appropriately. Paragraphs 11–16(b)  Leaders have adopted appropriate policies for the safe management of the site, including professionally commissioned audits for fire safety. They monitor the ongoing site safety with regular checks and linked risk assessments.  Leaders plan to deploy appropriate numbers of staff for the supervision of pupils in the school and have systems in place to ensure pupils are tended to in the case of injury or illness.  The overall quality of policies and risk assessments, as well as leaders’ knowledge of relevant legislation, indicate that the standards contained in part 3 are likely to be

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Main inspection findings

met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(3)(b) and 21(6)  Leaders have set up an appropriate system for recruiting further staff and have sought accredited training to ensure their safeguarding responsibilities are carried out in full.  Systems for vetting and recording the checks on staff are already in place and leaders understand the different checks that staff require and their purpose.  Leaders do not intend to use supply staff at the school.  Given leaders’ knowledge of safer recruitment and the systems already in place, it is likely that the standards contained in part 4 will be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2), 25–29(1)(b)  The building is in good order and has benefited from recent redecoration and refurbishment. It is light, acoustically suited to teaching and has plenty of space for

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Main inspection findings

small-group work.  The entrance to the school benefits from appropriate lighting and a secure front door.  Appropriate toilet facilities are provided, with plenty of hot and cold water.  The medical room provides a suitable space for the treatment of sick and injured pupils, with space to securely store general and prescribed medical supplies.  The school borders a large playing field that leaders intend to use for games, play and physical activity.  Although the initial application is for 20 pupils, the building is unlikely to provide suitable accommodation for more than 10 in its current configuration. This is reflected in the inspector’s recommendations.  School leaders have ensured that all relevant standards in part 5 are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c), 32(1)(f)–32(1)(i), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b)(i), 32(2)(d)–32(3)(d )  Leaders do not initially intend to produce a website so have a prospectus readily

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Main inspection findings

available for parents containing the summary and key information about the school. This provides families with a useful reference guide for a number of scenarios they are likely to face.  In addition to the prospectus, leaders have the policies contained in the standard available for parents on request.  Part 6 of the independent school standards is likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33–33(k)  The complaints policy provides parents, staff and leaders with a clear outline of the school’s graduated approach to complaint resolution. This includes appropriate and increasing levels of seniority and impartiality should concerns escalate.  Leaders have identified suitable, impartial panel members to consider complaints should this be required.  The standards contained in part 7 are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)

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Main inspection findings

 The school is currently overseen by one proprietor who is joined by two additional leaders responsible for running the school. All have experience working with pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and understand the challenges that pupils may face.  Leaders have identified a number of local school leaders and headteachers to act as governors for the school. In addition to this, they aim to commission impartial and independent advice and guidance from a number of successful local special and independent special schools.  Leaders understand that pupils will need support from a range of services and have secured agreements with local agencies to support their mission.  The standards in part 8 are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Curriculum plans, policies and the ethos of the school support pupils’ understanding and celebration of diversity and equality.  Policies are mindful of the Equality Act 2010, particularly the consideration of those

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Main inspection findings

who hold protected characteristics.  The requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 are likely to be met.

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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

School status Independent special school

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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 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 20 10

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  Given the likely complexity of pupils’ needs, the building in its current configuration will not be suited to 20 pupils. The inspector considers the above recommendation in the best educational and welfare interests of the pupils on roll.

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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 None

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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 Not applicable

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is situated in a quiet residential area in Ashford, Kent.  The school will provide education for pupils in the age range 11 to 16 years who have behavioural, emotional and social development needs. In almost all instances, these pupils will have missed significant parts of their education or are at risk of permanent exclusion.  The proposed school will provide for pupils who have an education, health and care plan, who have been placed by local authorities.  The school will not have a specific religious character.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first pre-registration inspection prior to the school opening. The inspection focused on compliance with the regulatory requirements of the independent school standards, safeguarding procedures and schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  The inspector carried out a range of activities in order to check whether the school is likely to meet the independent school standards and other requirements. The inspector met with the proprietor, who will also act as the school’s headteacher, and two senior leaders who have already been appointed. The inspector toured the proposed school’s premises. The inspector reviewed a wide range of documents, including safeguarding information, policies, curriculum information and proposed procedures to assess pupils’ learning.

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Inspection team

Daniel Lambert, 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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