Oakbridge School

School material change inspection report

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Arc Oakbridge School Buckingham Street, Birmingham B19 3HU

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32 (1)(c)  The school has a suitable safeguarding policy in place. This policy has due regard to the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State. It is published on the school’s website.  The school has a designated safeguarding leader, a deputy designated safeguarding leader and three other leaders who have completed the appropriate training. All other staff are well trained and regularly discuss relevant safeguarding issues.  Leaders have a good understanding of how to keep pupils safe and recognise the potential risks that they face. Staff record concerns in a timely manner. Records show that leaders respond swiftly when concerns are raised. They refer to external agencies when appropriate, and follow up on concerns to ensure pupils and their families are given appropriate support.  Leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the Department for

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Main inspection findings

Education (DfE) decides to approve the material change. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16(a) and 16(b)  There is a detailed health and safety policy that is fit for purpose. Leaders work with an estates manager, employed by the proprietor, to ensure that all the relevant checks are made so that the premises are maintained to a high standard.  The proprietor has ensured that an appropriate fire risk assessment for the additional premises has been carried out. Staff training on the updated procedures is planned. Records show that fire evacuation drills and fire safety equipment checks take place regularly. Leaders have taken appropriate action to ensure that the additional premises are likely to meet the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  A written risk assessment policy is in place. A range of risk assessments have been carried out. These demonstrate leaders’ clear understanding of potential hazards and

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Main inspection findings

the appropriate control measures required.  The school is likely to meet all of these standards if the DfE approves the implementation of the material change. Paragraph 14  Leaders have established an appropriate staffing structure to meet the needs of the pupils currently on roll. There is additional capacity in the current staffing levels to accommodate the increase.  This standard is likely to be met if the DfE approves the implementation of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(6)

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have a thorough approach to the recruitment of staff and ensure that all of the appropriate pre-employment checks are undertaken. This includes relevant checks on staff who have worked in other countries and those who are in management positions.  Leaders do not use supply staff but are aware of the appropriate checks that should be made if they did.  The single central record details all of the required information for staff and regular visitors and is stored securely.  The school is likely to meet these standards if the DfE approves the implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 25, 26, 27(a), 27(b)  Leaders have secured the use of additional premises located next to the current building. Leaders propose to use this site for pupils in key stage 3 and key stage 4.  The additional premises have been refurbished to a high standard, creating significant

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Main inspection findings

additional space and facilities. This includes new classrooms, breakout spaces, a science laboratory, an art room, an information and communication technology suite, cooking facilities and a large hall. All teaching rooms have a good source of natural light and suitable acoustics. There is appropriate external lighting.  In the additional premises, there are individual toilets and suitable washing facilities with running hot and cold water for pupils.  There is a suitable shower and changing facility in the existing accommodation which will be able to accommodate the proposed new pupils. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  A room has been designated as a medical room. It has running water and is located near to a toilet facility. Leaders have purchased a bed and appropriate first-aid equipment for the medical room. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have ensured that pupils will have access to drinking water. This is currently in the form of bottled water. There is safe access to hot water which does not pose a risk of scalding.  The school is likely to meet these standards if the DfE approves the implementation of the material change. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The existing playground has been extended to accommodate the increased numbers. The area is suitable for both physical education and for pupils to play together during break and lunchtimes.  The school is likely to meet these standards if the DfE approves the implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders have carefully considered the proposed increase in numbers. They have demonstrated a sensible approach to increasing capacity slowly over time. Plans demonstrate how the proposed increase in pupil numbers should not have an adverse

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Main inspection findings

impact on the quality of education for current pupils.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in scope for this inspection are likely to be met if the DfE approves the implementation of the proposed material change.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Kedleston (OS Education) Limited

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School details

Website www.kedlestongroup.com/arcoakbridge

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School details

Email address arcoakbridge@kedlestongroup.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 29–31 January 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 16 7 to 16 7 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 39 65 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 39 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 39 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 39 65

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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 39 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 12 14

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 12 15

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Information about this school

 The Arc Oakbridge school is an independent special school near to the centre of Birmingham. It is part of the Kedleston Group Ltd.  The school is registered to admit 40 pupils between the ages of seven and 16. At the time of the inspection, there were 39 pupils on roll. The school’s current request is to admit up to 65 pupils.  The school caters for pupils who have autistic spectrum disorder. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  Leaders do not use alternative providers.  The school opened in September 2018.  The school’s last standard inspection was in January 2019.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to establish if the school would be likely to meet all of the relevant independent school standards if the proposed material change, to increase the number of pupils in the school to 65, is implemented. This is the school’s first material change inspection.  The inspection focused on some of the welfare, health and safety standards in Part 3, including the supervision of pupils and appropriate deployment of staff; all of the standards in Part 4 about the suitability of staff; all of the standards in Part 5, premises and accommodation and the standards in Part 8, quality of leadership and management of schools.  The inspector met with the deputy headteacher, the special educational needs coordinator and two representatives from the governing body who are also directors in the Kedleston Group Ltd. She met with the office manager who is also the designated safeguarding leader.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector toured the new accommodation with the site manager and the office manager. She also met the estates manager from the Kedleston Group Ltd.  The inspector scrutinised documents relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils.  The inspector reviewed safeguarding documents and the single central record.

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Inspection team

Helen Forrest, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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