Pontville School

School material change inspection report

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Pontville School Black Moss Lane, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4TW

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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 current statutory guidance for safeguarding pupils and students in the sixth form. A suitable and up-to-date policy is in place. The policy is published on the school’s website. Leaders have established all the necessary arrangements to keep pupils and students safe and to promote their welfare at the school.  There are several designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) that oversee both school sites. There are always one and often more DSLs on each site. All staff receive an appropriate induction programme, 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 and students. This includes risk assessments for the school buildings, including the classrooms, and risk assessments for individual pupils with specific needs. Paragraph 14  Pupils and students are always supervised, including at breaktimes, when arriving at school and when leaving the school premises.  All the independent school standards in this part are likely to be 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)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i)–19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b)–19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i),

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Main inspection findings

19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)–20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i)–20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i)–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)(b)  The single central record (SCR) is in place and contains all the required information. Leaders understand the need to complete all the required checks on the suitability of new staff before these staff start work at the school.  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 the school, have also been carried out.  The proprietor body has completed appropriate safer recruitment 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

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Main inspection findings

training upon appointment.  Leaders occasionally employ agency staff. They follow all the procedures to ensure that these staff are suitable to work with children.  Leaders may engage volunteers in future. They are clear about their responsibility for checking the suitability of volunteers who might work with children.  All the independent school standards in this part are likely to be 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), 28(1)–28(1)(d), 28(2)–28(2)(b)  The main school accommodation is made up of a number of school buildings within an extensive school site. The buildings are maintained to a good standard and comprise numerous classrooms, as well as breakout and specialist rooms, for example for science, music and information technology. There are kitchen facilities, dining rooms, staff spaces and several sets of toilets for the sole use of pupils. There are extensive

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Main inspection findings

school grounds which include an all-weather pitch and areas for horticulture and animal husbandry. The second site is a 16 to 19 centre. It is housed in a large industrial building on an industrial estate. It is well appointed, with classrooms, breakout rooms and specialist areas for subjects such as construction, music, hair and beauty and computing. It also includes a large workshop area.  There are appropriate toilet facilities on both sites. There are separate toilet cubicles that can be secured from the inside. There is hot and cold water. The hot water is thermostat controlled and at an appropriate temperature. There are signs indicating that the water in the toilet facilities is not suitable for drinking. However, pupils and students do have access to drinking water throughout the day.  There are separate changing and shower facilities on both sites. These are clean and furnished to a suitable standard.

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Main inspection findings

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 and pillow were in both of the medical rooms at the time of the inspection. The rooms are equipped with a first- aid kit and lockable medicine cabinets. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The accommodation is of an appropriate standard. It meets all requirements for securing the health, safety and welfare of pupils and students. This includes appropriate acoustics and lighting for the purpose of the different rooms. The teaching rooms have a suitable source of natural light. There is exterior lighting installed so that pupils, students, staff and visitors can arrive and leave the sites safely in the hours of darkness. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The pupils and students have access to safe outdoor areas to play in when not in

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Main inspection findings

lessons. The outdoor space is suitable for physical education lessons as part of the school’s curriculum.  All the independent school standards in this part are likely to be 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)(c)  The proprietor body has an excellent understanding of the independent school standards and has plans in place to monitor compliance regularly and comprehensively.  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 and students in the sixth form. They fulfil their responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils and students.  All the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for

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Main inspection findings

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 is likely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements.

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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) £61,254 to £103,642

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School details

Website www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/pontville- school Email address pontville@witherslackgroup.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 12 to 14 March 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 19 5 to 19 5 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 141 155 155

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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 141 155

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 141 155

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 141 155

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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 13 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 28 28

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 59 59

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was on 12 to 14 March 2019.  The school operates over two sites. The main site is located on Black Moss Lane, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4TW The school’s second site is a 16 to 19 vocational provision called Pontville 16 to 19 Centre. It is situated on Paddock Road, West Pimbo, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 9PL.  All pupils and students who attend this school have an education, health and care plan. Most pupils and students have social and communication needs, autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned Ofsted to carry out this inspection because the proprietor body applied to make a material change to the school’s registration.  The proprietor body has requested to increase the school’s capacity from 141 pupils to 155 pupils.  This is the first material change inspection since the school’s last independent standard inspection in March 2019.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that were directly linked to the material change application.  The inspector met with the headteacher and senior leaders of the school. She also met with representatives from the proprietor body. She spoke on the telephone to the chair of the governing board. The inspector spoke with the designated safeguarding lead and the manager who maintains the single central record.  The inspector made tours of both of the school sites to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant independent school standards.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector also looked at a range of documents and policies relevant to the material change request. This 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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