Educ8 Northumberland

School pre-registration inspection report

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Educ8 Northumberland 17–19 High Market, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 8NE

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)–2(2)(b)  The proposed curriculum is appropriately broad in its content. A suitable curriculum policy is in place. The policy is supported by schemes of work which describe what is to be taught and when. Leaders have considered how to best meet the varying needs of pupils. Curriculum plans are consistent with fundamental British values. Paragraph 2(2)(d)–2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e)–2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  Leaders have made the development of pupils’ personal, social, health and economic education an important aspect of their curriculum. Fundamental British values are woven throughout their schemes of work.  The proprietor has ensured that pupils’ career aspirations are supported through the curriculum. The Gatsby benchmarks of good careers guidance are an important part of the curriculum. There are plans, for instance, for pupils to participate in work

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Main inspection findings

experience.  The curriculum is constructed so that pupils are able to do well and be successful. To this end, pupils are expected to be able to study a range of subjects, including towards national accreditation in English and mathematics. Paragraph 2A–2A(1)(g), 2A(2)  Leaders know their responsibilities for the teaching of relationships and sex education. The curriculum is founded on the Department for Education’s (DfE) statutory guidance. The policy includes recognition of parents’ right to excuse their child from sex education as part of the relationships and sex education curriculum. Paragraph 3–3(e), 3(g)  The intended schemes of work include precise information about the knowledge which leaders intend to deliver. Leaders have a strong understanding of how they expect to assess how pupils are getting on in their studies. Leaders are clear about how they plan to liaise with the schools and local authorities who place pupils with them, so

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Main inspection findings

that the needs and aptitudes of the pupils are met. Paragraph 3(h)–3(j), 9(a)  The proposed behaviour policy is suitable and sets out expectations for pupils’ behaviour. It sets out the process for staff to follow, to help pupils in taking responsibility for their own conduct.  The intended schemes of work and policies demonstrate that the proprietor has a sound awareness of fundamental British values, such as respect for others. Leaders have made sure that education about equalities is knitted into the curriculum plans. Paragraph 4  The proprietor and leaders have a clear process for the assessment of pupils’ starting points, needs and progress.  It is likely that the independent school standards (the standards) in this part will be met. Paragraph 3(f)  The proprietor has only recently taken possession of the premises for the proposed school. He is part way through the process of providing it with the necessary learning

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Main inspection findings

materials, equipment and resources. At the point of inspection, the classrooms were not adequately resourced for teaching and learning.  It is unlikely that this standard will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b)(i)–5(b)(vii)  Leaders have made sure that they have made suitable plans for the development of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding. Schemes of work include coverage of tolerance, respect for others’ faiths and cultural traditions and of the protected characteristics. The public institutions of Britain are incorporated in curriculum plans.  The proprietor has secured a commercially available scheme of work to make sure that pupils’ confidence and self-esteem are supported through the delivery of the programme of study. Paragraph 5(c), 5(d)–5(d)(iii)  Leaders know that they have a responsibility to prevent the teaching of partisan political views. They have systems in place to stop any teaching of partisan views, such as by visitors to school.  It is likely that the standards in this part will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7a, 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor does not have a current fire risk assessment for the proposed premises. There is no fire alarm or smoke detection system. One of the emergency exits is malfunctioning. The proprietor informed the inspector that an external fire risk professional was due to visit the school in the week following the inspection.  The entrance and exits to the proposed school open onto public roads. Leaders have not carried out any risk assessment to mitigate the potential risks of such a site. As such, there is no planned supervision of pupils for when they arrive, leave or socialise outside.  Consequently, while there is a comprehensive health and safety policy, it is not implemented effectively. The proprietor has not taken sufficient action at these premises to ensure that pupils’ well-being is safeguarded.  It is unlikely that these standards will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 9–9(c), 10, 13, 15  The behaviour policy is suitable and, if implemented effectively, likely to support pupils in their behaviour and help staff to manage pupils’ conduct.  The anti-bullying policy and first-aid policy are both appropriate in their content and likely to be effective if implemented well.  The admissions and attendance registers are compliant with legislation and the guidance issued by the DfE.  It is likely that these standards will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(3), 20(6)–20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1)– 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b)–21(4), 21(6)–21(7)(b)  Leaders carry out the necessary checks on staff employed at the proposed school. The required checks are captured on the single central record. Paragraph 19(2)–19(2)(d)(ii), 21(5)–21(5)(c)  Leaders may make use of supply agency staff. If they do so, they know what the requirements are in terms of what confirmations to receive from the employment agency.  It is likely that the standards in this part will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25, 29(1)(b)  The proprietor is part way through readying the premises so that they are suitable to accommodate a school. While the premises have potential, they are some way from being ready. One of the classroom doors is an emergency exit onto a public road, but is malfunctioning. It is not fit for purpose.  There is no suitable space for pupils to play or socialise outside. At the rear, the door opens onto a car park and a public road. To the front, the insecure door opens to a busier public road.  It is unlikely that these standards will be met. Paragraph 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c)  Toilet and washing facilities meet requirements. Toilets are single-access only and are lockable from the inside.  Leaders plan to provide the physical education curriculum at a local sports centre, with its own showers and changing accommodation. Paragraph 24(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has ensured that there is a suitable medical room, which has washing facilities and is near to a toilet. The medical room is solely for the purposes of medical care. Paragraph 26–27(b)  Lighting and acoustics are suitable for the intended classroom purposes. The room intended for construction will, however, require professional advice as to what types of construction activities and equipment are appropriate for the room. External lighting is fitted and in working order. Paragraph 28(1)(a)–28(1)(d)  Drinking water is labelled as such. Toilets have an adequate supply of water and there is sufficient hot water. Hot water does not pose a scalding risk.  It is likely that these standards will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)–32(1)(c), 32(1)(f)–32(2)(a), 32(2)(b)(ii), 32(2)(d), 32(3)–32(3)(f)  Leaders have plans to ensure that all required information is published, provided and made available. Required information will be published on the school’s website, or otherwise provided and made available to parents. The safeguarding policy will be published on the school’s website.  It is likely that these standards will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33–33(k)  The complaints policy meets all requirements.  It is likely that these standards will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)– 34(1)(c)  There is no doubting leaders’ ambition to provide an aspirational school for the pupils who attend.  However, at the point of inspection, the premises are not ready. In particular, the absence of fire safety measures is a concern. In addition, classrooms are not equipped for the intended curriculum. Leaders have not anticipated the likely risks associated with the open-access nature of the site.  In summary, therefore, leaders do not demonstrate that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the standards consistently.  It is unlikely that these standards will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  There is no accessibility plan for the site.  It is unlikely that this standard will be met.

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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) £75 to £90 per day

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Proposed school details

Email address jevon.payne@educ8group.com

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age 9 Number of pupils of compulsory school age who have an education, health and care plan, or who are looked after by a local authority Total hours operating as a school per week 28.75

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 25

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 13 to 16 13 to 16 13 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll 9 15 15

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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 2 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 Not known

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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 0 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 3

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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 proposed school

 The proposed school is situated in a former commercial premises.  It is proposed that the school will provide full-time and part-time education, with places commissioned by local authorities and schools. All pupils will be dual registered.  It is proposed that the school will support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The particular needs will be social, emotional and mental health and moderate learning difficulties. It is expected that some, or all, of the pupils will have an education, health and care plan.  The proposed school already operates as an unregistered alternative provision. It was inspected under section 97 of the Education and Skills Act on 3 March 2022, where it was found not to be operating illegally.  The proprietor has appointed a head of school, who is named as the headteacher, above. There is also an executive headteacher and deputy executive headteacher.

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Information about this proposed school

 The school will have a single proprietor, who has a limited company called the Educ8 Group. Another school, Educ8 Liverpool, is already open as an independent special school.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the Department for Education.  At the point of inspection, the school was already operating as an unregistered alternative provision at another site, the Newbiggin Sport Centre Bungalow. These premises were closed due to an electrical fault, with the pupils being educated from home. It was not possible, therefore, to visit lessons or speak with pupils and staff. The proprietor’s intention is that the staff and current pupils of the unregistered alternative provision will relocate to the premises that were inspected on this inspection, with effect from 31 October 2022. The inspector has ensured that Northumberland local authority is aware of the planned change in premises.  The inspector met with the proprietor, executive headteacher, deputy executive headteacher and head of school.  The inspector reviewed a range of documentation, including policies, health and

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Information about this inspection

safety information, safeguarding information and schemes of work.

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Inspection team

Steve Shaw, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 1 Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range.

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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;  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.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  14 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 22 The standards about the premises of and accommodation at the school are those contained in this Part.  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.  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 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 – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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