Learn 4 Life School

School material change inspection report

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Learn 4 Life School Quarry Bank Community Centre, 364 Ormskirk Road, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 9AL

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 11, 12 and 16  The single central record shows that appropriate employment checks have been carried out on the staff who have already been appointed.  The safeguarding policy is suitable. It is detailed and takes account of the most recent statutory guidance. The policy is appropriately linked to other documentation, including the risk assessment policy, the first-aid policy and the health and safety policy.  The proprietor body has ensured that there is a suitable suite of health and safety policies that are written to ensure compliance with the relevant laws. Appropriate records of health and safety checks are in place. Suitable health and safety checks have also been carried out to ensure that the proposed new premises is compliant with all relevant legislation and regulations.  The proprietor body ensures that the school complies with all the fire-safety

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Main inspection findings

regulations. Very recently, leaders have carried out additional checks on fire equipment to ensure that it is in an appropriate condition for the proposed new site. Fire evacuation procedures are also in place. There is suitable signage throughout the proposed site, which can be easily followed in the event of a fire.  The proprietor body has an acceptable risk assessment in place for fire. This identifies any potential risks to the safety of pupils with the aim to manage and minimise these risks. Fire risks in the proposed new premises have been appropriately considered.  The proprietor body’s written policy on risk assessment and risk management is compliant. Risk assessments are in place for a wide range of activities and for the use of the new building. Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school does not have a website. The school’s safeguarding policy and procedures to promote the welfare of pupils in school are available from the school’s office.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor body has ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b) The school’s proposed new premises were previously used as a Bible study hall. The proprietor has carried out building works to make the premises suitable for use as a school. These proposed new premises include four classrooms, a school library, a medical room and toilets. There is outdoor space adjacent to the proposed new school building.  All building work has been completed to a high standard. Leaders have invested in resources to make sure that the new building is suitable for use as a school. For example, the furniture is suitable for the intended age range and numbers of pupils.

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Main inspection findings

Engaging displays are ready in classes.  There is a suitable amount of classroom spaces for the intended number of pupils. There are four classrooms. They are appropriate for the requirements of the intended curriculum. They are suitable to ensure the welfare and safety of pupils. Acoustics in learning spaces are also appropriate.  The toilets and medical room are satisfactory. Classrooms, corridors and shared areas, such as the communal room, are well lit. External lighting has been installed for the playground and the entrance to the school. Leaders have fully considered the arrangements for pupils entering and leaving the site at the start and end of the school day.  Drinking water is clearly labelled. Bottled water is available for pupils. Washing facilities are also available throughout the building. The temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk.  Pupils have access to a suitable outside space for play within the proposed new

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Main inspection findings

premises. Pupils will access local leisure facilities for physical education sessions. Leaders have risk assessed travel to and from the venue.  The proprietor body has ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c), 34(2)  Leaders prioritise the welfare, health and safety of pupils. They have experience of working with vulnerable pupils and they demonstrate the knowledge appropriate to their roles. Leaders have ensured that all health and safety standards are likely to be met.  The proprietor body and leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor body ensures that an accessibility plan is in place. This details how all pupils have access to the curriculum and that the premises are accessible for all

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Main inspection findings

pupils.  The proprietor has ensured that the requirements 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 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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £49,142 to £77,792

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School details

Email address jamesmcalpine@careafloat.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 6 to 8 July 2021

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 3 16 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 3 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 3 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 3 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 3 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous inspection was a monitoring inspection in March 2022. The school met all the independent school standards that were inspected.  Since the last inspection, a new headteacher has been appointed. There has been a change in senior leadership in order to focus on the curriculum and school improvement. Leaders use one registered alternative provider, BDS Training LTD.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor body requested to move the school to new premises at 64A Rectory Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan WN4 0QD.  The inspector toured the proposed new premises, accompanied by the headteacher and deputy headteacher. The inspector checked the suitability of the proposed new premises against the relevant independent school standards.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documents and policies to promote the health, well-being and safety of pupils at the proposed new premises. This included the school’s safeguarding policy.  The inspector scrutinised the single central record.

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Inspection team

Simon Hunter, 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

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

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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