Edstart

Edstart EdStart Specialist Education, 5 Gerald Road, Salford M6 6DW

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The school meets the independent school

standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The proprietor body has paid attention to the most current statutory guidance for safeguarding pupils. A suitable and up-to-date policy is in place. The policy is published on the school’s website. Leaders have introduced all the necessary arrangements to keep pupils safe and to promote their welfare at the school.  In addition to the headteacher, there is a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) that oversees all the school’s sites. Additionally, each site has at least one other DSL. All staff receive appropriate induction training, safeguarding training and regular updates on areas such as radicalisation and extremism, sexual exploitation, sexting and e- safety. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor body has a written health and safety policy which is tailored to the premises of the school. It complies with all relevant laws. Leaders carry out regular

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Main inspection findings

fire safety checks of the premises and the findings are suitably logged. The proprietor body ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  A written risk assessment policy is in place. Completed risk assessments show that leaders take appropriate actions to minimise any risks to pupils. This includes risk assessments for the school buildings, including the classrooms, and risk assessments for individual pupils with specific needs. Paragraph 14  Pupils are appropriately supervised, including at breaktimes, when arriving at school and when leaving the school premises.  All the independent school standards in this part are met if the request for the material change is approved. 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(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa),

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Main inspection findings

19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 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(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b)  The single central record (SCR) is in place and meets the requirements for the information that it must contain. Leaders understand the need to complete all the required checks on the suitability of staff before they take up an appointment.  Records relating to the proprietor body are included on the school’s SCR. All the suitability checks, including those relating to the leadership and management of a school, have been carried out.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor body has completed appropriate training to support the appointment of suitable staff to work in a school. Induction documentation for new staff makes it clear that they undergo a full suite of safeguarding, and related training, upon appointment.  Leaders occasionally employ agency staff. They follow all the procedures to ensure that agency staff are suitable to work with pupils.  Leaders may engage volunteers. They are clear about their responsibility for checking the suitability of volunteers who might work with pupils.  All the independent school standards in this part are met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  The school is made up of five sites. Two are specifically subject to this material change request. The first is the main site in Salford. It is a large Victorian building,

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Main inspection findings

refurbished by the proprietor body to a suitable standard. The accommodation includes a reception area, offices and several classrooms.  The second, Bury, site has a reception area, communal area and several classrooms. The proprietor body has just acquired further accommodation adjoining the existing Bury site. It has been refurbished to a suitable standard and comprises of classrooms and breakout rooms. It has a kitchen and a medical room. It is intended that a doorway will be created between the two buildings so that all the facilities are shared.  There are appropriate toilet facilities on the sites. There are separate toilet cubicles that can be secured from the inside. There is hot and cold water. The hot water is at an appropriate temperature. There are signs indicating that this water is not suitable for drinking. However, pupils have access to drinking water throughout the day.  There are separate changing and shower facilities for boys and girls on the Salford

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Main inspection findings

site. These are clean and furnished to a suitable standard. There are no separate changing facilities for boys and girls, and there are no shower facilities at the Bury site. However, the sports centre that the school uses for their weekly physical education (PE) sessions, has suitable, separate changing and shower facilities. The inspector saw evidence to confirm that the school has access to, and sole use of, these facilities when visiting the sports centre. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  Medical rooms have been set aside at both sites, with suitable washing facilities in each room. There is easy access to a toilet. A bed, blanket, pillow and first-aid kit were in both medical rooms at the time of the inspection. Provision for locking away any medication is available at both sites, in either the main office or the headteacher’s room. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  Accommodation throughout is of an appropriate standard and it meets all

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Main inspection findings

requirements for the health, safety and welfare of pupils. This includes appropriate acoustics and lighting. The teaching rooms have a suitable source of natural light. The exterior and interior lighting is of an appropriate standard. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  Pupils have access to an outdoor area that is safe. It is an appropriate space for pupils to play when not in lessons. PE activities are regularly timetabled in accordance with the school’s curriculum requirements. The outdoor space is suitable for these sessions at the Salford site. At the Bury site, the proprietor body has arranged for weekly PE activities at a local sports centre.  All the independent school standards in this part are met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body has an appropriate understanding of the independent school

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Main inspection findings

standards and has plans in place to monitor compliance regularly.  Leaders demonstrate the knowledge required to run this independent school successfully and to accommodate the material change request. They have experience of, and a commitment to, providing an effective quality of education for pupils. They fulfil their responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils.  All the independent school standards in this part are met if the request for the material change is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan fully reflects the school’s statutory responsibilities.

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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 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 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

Proprietor Edstart Specialist Education Limited

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £14,000 to £56,000

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School details

Email address kevin.buchanan@edstartschools.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 5 to 7 March 2019

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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 115 135 135

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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 135 135

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 135 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 33 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 16 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 33 33

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 26 30

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was 5 to 7 March 2019.  The school currently operates over five sites across the Greater Manchester area. These sites are situated at 130 Sale Road, Northern Moor, Manchester M23 0BX; 5 Gerald Road, Salford M6 6DW; Castle Hill Youth Centre, Castleton Street, Bolton BL2 2JW; 13-15 Broad Street, Bury BL9 0DA; and 11 Church Lane, Oldham, OL1 3AW.  Many pupils who attend this school have an education, health and care plan. This includes for social, emotional and mental health needs and autism spectrum disorder. Some of these pupils are children looked after.  The school has exceeded the maximum number of pupils on roll that it is registered to admit. The school is registered to admit 115 pupils. There are currently 135 pupils on roll.  The school rarely has all of the pupils on roll in school at any one time. This is because some pupils are timetabled to attend at different times of the day. Also, some

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Information about this school

pupils only attend the school on a part-time basis.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The proprietor body has applied for a material change to increase pupil capacity from 115 to 135. The proprietor body has secured additional accommodation to support this material change application.  The proprietor body has already implemented the requested material change. The school currently has 135 pupils on roll. This increase in pupil numbers was in response to an urgent local authority request. The school was asked by the local authority to take in several vulnerable pupils on a temporary basis due to safeguarding concerns. These pupils are due to leave the school shortly.  This material change inspection pertains specifically to increasing the capacity in the school’s Salford site by 15 pupils and the school’s Bury site by five pupils.  The Department for Education (DfE) requested that Ofsted conduct a material change inspection to report against paragraphs 7, 11, 12, 14 and 16 of part 3 of the

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Information about this inspection

independent school standards. The DfE also requested a report against parts 4, 5 and 8 of the independent school standards.  This is the second material change inspection since the school’s last independent standard inspection in March 2019. The first material change inspection was on 23 November 2021. The proprietor body had applied to increase the age range from 13 to 16 years to 11 to 16 years. Also, the proprietor body had requested to increase the school’s capacity from 90 pupils to 115 pupils.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  The inspector held discussions with the chair of the proprietor body. She also spoke to the headteacher and the designated safeguarding lead who also maintains the single central record.  The inspector made a tour of the school to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant independent school standards. This included checks of both the

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Information about this inspection

Salford and the Bury sites where it is intended that the increased number of pupils on roll will attend.  The inspector looked at a range of documents and policies relevant to the material change request. These included health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment documentation. The inspector also checked documents relating to safeguarding.

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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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Inspection team

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