Phoenix Independent School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Phoenix U16 Independent School Unit E, Metro Business Park, Clough Street, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST1 4AF

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 12 and 14  At the time of the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that all staff record concerns about pupils in writing. Information that was recorded was not well organised or kept securely. In addition, the inspection raised a concern about fire exit access. One door labelled as a fire exit required a code to open it. At lunchtimes, some pupils were permitted to leave the school site but staff did not keep records about when they left and returned.  Leaders have now adopted and implemented an electronic recording system for logging any concerns and incidents. Staff have been trained in how to use this. Current records are up to date, detailed, well organised and kept securely. They describe what happened and what follow-up actions have been taken, and by whom.  Since the previous inspection, school leaders have reviewed fire exit arrangements. In

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Main inspection findings

February 2022, a professional fire-safety contractor checked the premises, made recommendations and provided a written risk assessment. This risk assessment judged that the current fire exit arrangements are fit for purpose, and made some minor recommendations about the storage of combustible waste. Leaders have complied with the recommendations in this risk assessment.  The school keeps a record of who is permitted or not permitted to leave the school site at lunchtimes. Any pupils who do leave are signed in and out, and the times are noted. If a pupil does not turn up in the morning or fails to return after lunch, staff take appropriate action and record what they have done.  The safeguarding policy for 2022 is published on the school’s website.  These standards are met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 25, 27, 27(b), 29(1) and 29(1)(b)  The previous inspection identified that pupil toilet facilities, external lighting and the

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Main inspection findings

outdoor area needed to be improved.  External lighting is adequate. Pupils have access to two separate toilets. Both contain suitable washing facilities and can be secured from the inside.  The school’s outdoor courtyard area has been revamped. It is fitted with seating, a sun shade and potted plants. It is a small but pleasant space where pupils can socialise or take time out for quiet refection. The area is well maintained and secure.  These standards are met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32 (1)(g)  The previous inspection found that some aspects of record-keeping were not well organised. Because of this, leaders were unable to supply sufficient information to inspectors about safeguarding incidents.  Leaders have improved the school’s systems for recording safeguarding and behaviour incidents. They also keep daily registers of who is on site at lunchtimes.  These standards are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The inspection in November 2021 found that leaders had not ensured all of the independent school standards were met consistently and continually.  Since that time, leaders have taken successful action to remedy the identified shortcomings. Where needed, they have taken professional advice to assure themselves that their actions are appropriate.  Leaders cooperated fully with the inspection process and were able to produce all the required information quickly and easily. The proprietor showed a good knowledge of the independent school standards that were considered during this inspection.  These standards are met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  14 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that – – 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils.  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.  27 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 27(b) external lighting is provided in order to ensure that people can safely enter and leave the school premises.  29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable– – 29(1)(b) pupils to play outside.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 32(1)(g) any information reasonably requested in connection with an inspection under section 109 of the 2008 Act which is required for the purposes of the inspection is provided to the body conducting the inspection and that body is given access to the school’s admission and attendance registers.

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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– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Email address office@phoenixlearning.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 9 to 11 November 2021

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Information about this school

 Phoenix U16 Independent School provides full-time education for pupils between the ages of 14 and 16. Some pupils are dual registered with other education providers.  The school operates from a converted warehouse unit on a business park in the Hanley area of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Leaders do not use any alternative provision.  Pupils are referred to the school by local authorities and secondary schools.  Pupils attending Phoenix U16 Independent School typically have a range of social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Most have either been excluded or are at risk of exclusion from their previous setting.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The school was not given any prior notice of this progress monitoring inspection. The inspector arrived at the start of the school day.  The inspector met with the proprietor (who is also the headteacher) and other leaders. He spoke with some staff and pupils.  The inspector checked the school site and facilities. He examined records and procedures relating to fire safety, the use of outdoor space and arrangements when pupils leave the school site. He checked the school’s website and looked at the safeguarding policy.  The inspector examined safeguarding information, including the school’s procedures for

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Information about this inspection

recording concerns and responding to incidents.

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Inspection team

Martin Pye, lead inspector His 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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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Inspection team

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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