Egham Park School Ltd

School pre-registration inspection report

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Egham Park School Waspe Farm, 68 Station Road, Egham TW20 9LF

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)–2(2)(b), 2(2)(d)–2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h)–2A(1), 2A(1)(b)–2A(2)  The proposed school’s intended curriculum is designed to meet the needs of each individual pupil. The principal, who is the school’s sole director, fully understands the need to adapt the curriculum for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  All pupils who attend the school will have an education, health and care plan (EHC plan). Some pupils may not have attended school for extended periods prior to joining.  Many pupils will have struggled in their previous mainstream schools or specialist provisions due to anxiety and problems with self-esteem and confidence. Because of this, it is intended that the curriculum will be bespoke in order to meet both the academic and social and emotional needs of all pupils.  A curriculum policy and suitable schemes of work are in place. These will be further

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Main inspection findings

adapted once leaders are more aware of the specific requirements of the individual pupils that will attend the school.  Pupils will follow programmes of study that include mathematics and English, ranging from functional skills level through to GCSE qualifications if appropriate. This may include a blend of online learning and face-to-face support in school.  The school will offer a suitable breadth of other curriculum subjects tailored to meet the interests and needs of individuals.  Although some lessons might include small groups of pupils, much of the curriculum will be delivered on an individual basis according to the requirements of each pupil.  Other aspects of the curriculum, such as personal, social and health education (PSHE), and relationships and sex education will also be delivered through timetabled lessons. Much of the work to promote pupils’ personal development will be ongoing through their timetable yet personalised in order to address the needs of each pupil.

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Main inspection findings

 The principal is aware of the requirement to provide pupils with good quality careers guidance. The school’s ethos and PSHE programme will ensure that fundamental British values are promoted. Paragraphs 3–4  No teaching or support staff have been appointed yet. The principal intends that the curriculum will be delivered by suitably qualified teachers and higher-level teaching assistants. She intends to make the breadth of the curriculum as wide as possible. She intends that experienced and knowledgeable staff will enable pupils to acquire the knowledge and skills required to make good progress through their bespoke curriculum pathways.  Systems are in place to track and assess pupils’ academic and social and emotional development side by side. The principal knows that the initial period of integrating pupils into school, which will include assessing pupils’ prior learning across the curriculum, is key to pupils’ future success. This will include an introductory period

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Main inspection findings

where staff will work closely with new pupils to establish positive relationships and identify barriers to learning.  The school is likely to meet all relevant requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5–5(d)(iii)  Leaders and staff will promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through both the taught curriculum and through establishing a strong, caring ethos at the school.  Nurture, respect, kindness and growth will underpin all aspects of the day-to-day life at the school. The principal intends that all staff employed at the school will support pupils to understand and espouse these values and ideals at all times.  Curriculum plans ensure that pupils will learn about British values, as well as actively promote an understanding of equality and diversity. The school will use a tailored

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Main inspection findings

PSHE programme as a starting point for this work.  A range of extra-curricular activities will also promote pupils’ contribution to the local community and their understanding of what it means to live in modern Britain. This will include visits to theatres and art galleries, for instance, often linked to their work across the wider curriculum. It will also include learning how to access local services such as transport and those available to support pupils’ health and well-being.  The principal understands the importance of developing pupils’ social skills and building pupils’ self-esteem and resilience. It is intended that pupils will benefit from a culture that promotes respect for others, but also for themselves, building and supporting their ability to make a positive contribution to society.  All staff will be expected to be positive role models for pupils. This includes ensuring that pupils are not exposed to partisan political or religious opinions.

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Main inspection findings

 The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7–7(c), 9–10  The proposed school’s policies, written guidance and procedures to assure the welfare, health and safety of pupils and staff are in place. The safeguarding policy takes into account current guidance, is available on request and will be published on the school’s website when it is live.  No staff have been appointed yet. The principal understands the requirements to ensure that staff are fully trained and provided with the appropriate policies, systems and resources to keep pupils safe. This includes training for the designated safeguarding lead and deputies. Key staff will also undertake safer recruitment training.  The principal intends that the culture to safeguard pupils will be strong. Induction training for new staff will be comprehensive. This will cover safeguarding and will

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Main inspection findings

ensure that staff are fully aware of the school’s wider policies and procedures to keep children safe.  The school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies have been tailored to suit the needs of pupils at the school. They take into account current guidance. Staff will be suitably trained to understand the varying needs of pupils, many of whom will have complex needs linked to anxiety and poor self-esteem. Paragraphs 11–16(b)  The principal has a good understanding of health and safety requirements, including the need for comprehensive risk assessments and ongoing monitoring and action needed to keep the school safe. Appropriate health and safety and risk assessment policies are in place.  An asbestos audit has been completed. The premises’ electrical installations have been checked by suitably qualified experts. The school’s water supply has been checked for legionnaire’s disease.  A first-aid policy is in place. It is intended that key staff will be suitably trained to

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Main inspection findings

deliver first aid. The school’s medical room has been identified, but it does not yet meet the requirements of part 5.  The principal has planned to ensure that staff-to-pupil ratios are suitable at all times. Staff will also access bespoke professional development to support their understanding of the school’s approach to managing pupils’ complex SEND.  A new fire risk assessment is in place and was carried out by a qualified external consultant. This identified actions that need to be completed before the school opens. Two additional fire doors need to be fitted. Emergency lighting needs to be installed. At the time of this pre-registration inspection, this work had not yet been completed.  The school is unlikely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 21(1)–21(3)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school has an appropriate single central record in place, though no staff have been employed yet. The principal, who is also the school’s sole director, does not intend to recruit staff until after the proposed school is approved.  The principal is knowledgeable about the checks that need to be made on adults coming into contact with pupils at the school. Recruitment procedures appear to be suitable and will be supported by an external specialist human resources and recruitment consultancy.  The principal has already undertaken safer recruitment training. Other leaders will also have safer recruitment training to ensure that the required checks on staff and other adults at the school are carried out appropriately.  The principal does not intend to employ agency or supply staff at the school.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2)–29(1)(b)  The proposed school will be located in the centre of Egham in what was previously residential accommodation. It has its own secure entrances, office space and adequate toilet facilities. There are two main classroom areas, a small kitchen and two further rooms which will serve as a medical room and the principal’s office.  The outdoor area for pupils to play and take their breaks is small but acceptable. Physical education and other activities will be provided off site at leisure or sports amenities in the local area.  The lighting, heating and acoustics are all suitable for the pupils likely to be at the school. Outside, there is sufficient lighting around the buildings to ensure safe passage in the dark. Although positioned in a busy residential area of the town, there are suitable arrangements in place for pupils to arrive and depart from the school

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Main inspection findings

safely.  There are adequate toilets and washing facilities for both pupils and staff. All facilities have sufficient water supplies, and the temperature of hot water is regulated appropriately. Drinking water is available and labelled as such.  There is a dedicated medical room for the examination and treatment of pupils and the short-term care of those who are sick or injured. The medical room does not presently have an adequate supply of hot and cold running water. The principal intends to address this issue before the school opens.  A recent fire risk assessment completed by a suitably qualified independent contractor identified that a further two fire doors need to be fitted, as well as emergency lighting. The proprietor intends to address these issues as a matter of urgency, but until this work has been carried out, it is not possible to say paragraph 25 is likely to be met. Furthermore, the present premises are not large enough to accommodate the

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Main inspection findings

maximum number of pupils (up to 16) the proprietor is proposing.  The school is unlikely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)–32(1)(d), 32(1)(f)–32(2)(b)(i), 32(2)(d)–32(4)(c)  The proposed school’s website is still under construction. However, during the inspection, the principal demonstrated how the website will function and shared the key information that it will contain. This includes the school’s safeguarding policy which is compliant with current guidelines. Other key policies will also be available through the website or on request.  Regular updates and written reports will be provided to parents or carers, as well as local authorities placing pupils at the school. Leaders see high levels of communication between parents and school staff as a key aspect of provision.  The principal has a good understanding of all of the requirements of part 6.

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Main inspection findings

Information regarding the proprietor and leadership of the school will be available on the website. The school will not have a governing body or similar in the first instance.  The principal is fully conversant with the requirements to report on pupils’ progress and attainment, as well as to support the annual review process of pupils with an EHC plan.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33–33(k)  The complaints policy and procedures meet the requirements of part 7. They set out clear timescales for the management of a complaint. The policy will be available on the school’s website once the website is complete.  There is provision for formal complaints to be heard by a panel of at least three people who have not been directly involved in the complaint. The policy stipulates that

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Main inspection findings

one of the members of the panel must be independent of the management and running of the school.  The policy gives clear guidance on how a complaint against the principal, who is the school’s sole director and chair, will be handled.  The school is likely to meet all of the requirements in this part of the independent school standards. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The proposed school’s principal (who is the sole director and chair of the proprietor company) is knowledgeable and suitably experienced with a background in education and special educational needs over a 30-year period. She has a clear vision for the proposed school and the pupils it will serve. She has appropriate knowledge of the need to safeguard pupils and the guidance and statutory requirements to protect the welfare, health and safety of pupils and staff at the school.  The principal demonstrated a high degree of integrity during this pre-registration

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Main inspection findings

inspection. Discussions with Her Majesty’s Inspector were open and honest. This was particularly the case when the suitability of the school’s premises to cater for up to 16 pupils was discussed.  The principal has not automatically assumed that the school will be approved by the Secretary of State for Education. Staff have not yet been appointed, although plans are in place for this to happen quickly in the near future if and when the school is approved.  The principal has an appropriate understanding of the independent school standards but has not ensured that all of them are likely to be met at the time of this pre- registration inspection. However, she has clear plans in place to tackle the outstanding issues the inspection identified.  The principal intends to develop a model of governance for the school that is likely to include a small board of trustees. She is clear about the need for impartial,

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Main inspection findings

independent advice to support school leaders. This will help ensure that the school is a safe place and also provides an appropriate standard of education for its pupils.  The school is unlikely to meet all the requirements of part 8 because the principal has not yet ensured that all the relevant independent school standards are likely to be met during this pre-registration inspection. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has a suitable accessibility plan in place. The principal intends to update the plan at appropriate intervals and as required to take into account the school’s pupils and staff. The school is likely to meet paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £33,000 to £42,000

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Proposed school details

Email address victor.foster1@ntlworld.com

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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 16 10

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  The accommodation presently available to the school is not large enough to cater for up to 16 pupils. This is especially the case when the complex needs of the intended pupil group are taken into account. The accommodation available is more suitable for up to 10 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 Up to 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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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 16

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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 16

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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 Up to 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 2

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is situated in a residential area in Egham, Surrey. The sole director, who is also the principal, originally proposed that it would cater for up to 16 pupils between the ages of 11 and 16, primarily with social, emotional and mental health needs.  As a result of the inspection, the director agreed that the present accommodation is not suitable for up to 16 pupils and that the maximum number of pupils should be no more than 10 if the registration is approved.  All pupils will have an EHC plan. All pupils will be placed by local authorities. Some pupils are likely to have been out of education for long periods of time prior to joining the school. The school’s aim is to support pupils to move back into mainstream education where possible.  The director intends that the proposed school will have a small board of trustees who will provide a degree of independent oversight and governance for the school.

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Information about this proposed school

 It is not intended that the school will use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first pre-registration inspection of the proposed school. The purpose of the inspection was to check whether the proposed school is likely to meet the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. Schools must comply with the independent school standards to be registered.  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 toured the school’s premises and grounds. He reviewed a wide range of documentation, including the single central record, policies and curriculum and assessment information.  The inspector held a range of meetings with the principal, who was accompanied by an independent consultant throughout the inspection. At the time of the inspection, no permanent teaching or support staff had been appointed.

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Inspection team

Clive Close, lead inspector His 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.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including-

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils;

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 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.

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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-

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently;

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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