Carfax College

Inspection of Carfax College 39-42 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 2EP

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

Does the school meet the independent school standards?

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils talk enthusiastically about their experiences at this school. This is encouraging because many have struggled in their previous schools for a variety of reasons. Pupils say that they feel safe, happy and welcome. The school actively nurtures their health, welfare and well-being. Pupils feel confident to talk to staff if they are worried about anything.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils’ behaviour is exceptional. Incidents of unkindness and bullying are extremely rare. This is because the school actively encourages respect and tolerance. All pupils are knowledgeable about other cultures and ethnicities. They have spoken with a Buddhist, visited a synagogue, celebrated Chinese New Year and enjoyed a walking tour of Oxford’s religious buildings.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

The curriculum is individually adapted to meet the needs of all pupils informed by their education, health and care plans. The nature of the provision means that most pupils are taught on a one-to-one basis. Outside of lessons, they mix with pupils of different ages. Relationships are respectful and kind.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders and staff have very high expectations. Pupils’ special educational needs are well known and therefore well supported. Staff understand pupils’ individual needs very well. The school provides helpful careers advice which allows pupils to make informed choices about their future.

p.2

better?

The curriculum is carefully designed to develop pupils’ talents, confidence and self- esteem. It is well considered and well planned. Where appropriate, it is linked to the national curriculum or examination requirements. Content is well planned over short periods of time, although long-term planning, over a whole key stage or key stages, is less evident. Opportunities for cross-curricular work are missed. This means that knowledge from one subject is not often used to increase understanding and confidence elsewhere.

p.2

better?

Teachers’ subject knowledge is very strong. They use this knowledge well to teach their lessons. Teachers adapt their planning and teaching carefully as they proceed to address gaps in pupils’ prior learning as they arise. Pupil progress is measured on a regular basis and is used to adapt future plans. This enables pupils to develop their confidence and competence. The school reports to parents using detailed progress reports as well as phone calls and meetings.

p.2

better?

Literacy skills are highlighted and subject-specific vocabulary is developed. In addition, the school is working hard to develop the habit of reading more widely and often. Leaders acknowledge that this is still a challenge with some pupils. The school provides extra lessons for any pupils who need more help to catch up. 12 to 14 October 2022 The school has language days to support pupils’ appreciation of other cultures. To date these have included France, Spain and China, with food and language to celebrate unfamiliar cultures. Regular trips to a local farm to pick fruit and vegetables are used to encourage healthy eating.

p.2

better?

Personal, social, health and economic education actively supports pupils’ knowledge of, and confidence in, themselves. Leaders provide pupils with a rich set of social, cultural and spiritual experiences. These are covered through scheduled cross- curricular days covering religions, festivals and charities.

p.3

better?

Fundamental British values are highlighted through citizenship lessons covering identity, nationality, heritage, religion and sexual orientation. Democracy and the rule of law are supported through the additional studies programme on politics and law. Pupils have a particularly good insight and appreciation of British values.

p.3

better?

Pupils are highly motivated to learn. Routines are well established and understood. This means that learning is hardly ever disrupted by poor behaviour. Lesson observations confirm that pupils are hardworking and determined. They are well supported by their teachers and other staff. Attendance is beginning to improve, and the school is developing strategies to support this.

p.3

better?

Leaders have high expectations. They know the school well and they are determined that pupils will do well. The principal, supported by his senior leaders, has a well- informed understanding of his school. He accepts that documentation needs to be more thorough, and the curriculum would benefit from a standard framework.

p.3

better?

Teachers say that their workloads are acceptable. However, they would appreciate the opportunity to work more collaboratively together. Teachers say that leaders have ensured they are motivated, respected and treated fairly. They value their safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ training but would like more subject-focused training. Teachers are proud to be members of staff at this school.

p.3

better?

The proprietorial body has an exceptionally good understanding of statutory responsibilities. They actively ensure that safeguarding and safety are high priorities across the school. Leaders and the proprietorial body have ensured that all the independent school standards are met. The school meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

p.3

better?

Parents and carers gave a very positive account of the school and the supportive relationship which exists between them. They value the support which the school gives to their child and appreciate the impact which this had had on them and their education. One parent wrote, ‘Our daughter has been made to feel very welcome and the tutors and staff have built strong and trusting relationships with her in a very short time. Carfax has been a breath of fresh air to our family.’ 12 to 14 October 2022

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.4

Safeguarding

The welfare, well-being and safety of all pupils are an extremely high priority for the school. Staff receive regular quality safeguarding training and frequent updates. They know how to identify risks and what to do if they have any concerns.

p.4

Safeguarding

Pupils are safe in all areas of the school and feel comfortable talking to staff about any concerns they have. They understand the possible risks they might face in school or when they are at home or out and about. Pupils are knowledgeable about internet safety and the use of social media.

p.4

Safeguarding

The school’s safeguarding policy is written in line with statutory requirements and is available on the school’s website.

p.4

(Information for the school and proprietor)

 The school’s curriculum is not coherently planned over the long term. As a result, there is no formal framework from which teachers might develop individual schemes of work for their pupils, giving consideration to cross-curricular opportunities and subject-specific resources. Leaders should continue to build upon the short-term schemes of work already in place to collate long-term curriculum plans. These plans should highlight cross-curricular opportunities and subject-specific resources.

p.4

How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

p.4

How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school. 12 to 14 October 2022

p.4

School details

Unique reference number 139997 DfE registration number 931/6014

p.5

School details

Inspection number 10232320 Type of school Other Independent School

p.5

School details

School category Independent boarding school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £43,740 to £67,950

p.5

School details

Email address enquiries@carfax-oxford.com

p.5

School details

Date of previous inspection 13 to 15 March 2018 12 to 14 October 2022

p.5

Information about this school

 Carfax College is a small, non-selective, co-educational, independent school situated in the centre of Oxford, OX1 2EP. The school opened in August 2013 and is part of Carfax Education Group. It is registered for up to 24 pupils, with boarding provision offered.  At the time of the inspection, there were 12 pupils enrolled and no boarders. There are currently seven pupils in the school who are aged between 16 and 21. Most pupils have education, health and care plans and are financed by the local authority.  The school offers GCSE, A-level and examination retakes as well as revision courses and university preparation. Carfax College is a registered centre for all examination boards.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school's suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

p.6

Information about this inspection

The school meets the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 This was the first standard inspection the school had received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors conducted deep dives in English, mathematics, geography and art. For each deep dive, inspectors discussed the curriculum with subject leaders, visited a sample of lessons, talked with teachers, spoke to pupils and looked at examples of pupils’ work.  Inspectors held meetings with leaders, staff and pupils. They reviewed the single central record and considered a range of safeguarding documentation, including employment checks on staff and employee files.  Inspectors considered a range of evidence to check compliance with the independent school standards.  The lead inspector spoke with the principal and a representative of the proprietorial body online. He considered responses to Ofsted’s online survey of

p.6

Information about this inspection

parents’ views and had telephone calls with parents. He reviewed the survey returns and the responses to the online staff and pupil surveys. 12 to 14 October 2022

p.6

Inspection team

Paul Metcalf, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

p.7

Inspection team

Alan Johnson Ofsted Inspector 12 to 14 October 2022 to 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.

p.7

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8