Arco Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Arco Academy Camberwell Leisure Centre, Artichoke Place, Camberwell, London SE5 8TS

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 3, 3(g)  At the time of the last inspection in September 2021, leaders had not ensured that there was a coherent structure for assessing the progress of pupils. Staff did not routinely use assessment to inform what pupils learn next. The assessment practices used to identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge were not used to ensure that the content pupils were learning matched their needs.  The post-inspection action plan included a revised assessment model. This included proposed termly written records of the progress made by pupils. Leaders detailed their intention to use these records to inform teaching and make adjustments to planned lessons to meet the needs of individual pupils. Leaders had not included details of how they would measure the impact of their actions.  Leaders continue to ensure that pupils are assessed on entry to the school to determine

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Main inspection findings

an appropriate curriculum for each pupil. This assessment has been broadened to consider a greater range of checks on what pupils know and can do when they join the school.  Leaders have implemented a new assessment policy. Teachers use a range of assessment strategies to check pupils’ understanding as they move through each subject curriculum. Assessment is used effectively in order to inform what pupils will learn next. Teachers plan activities to address any gaps in pupils’ knowledge and to set work that is appropriately demanding based on what pupils have already successfully and securely learned.  Leaders regularly report to parents and carers and partner schools. These include daily reports which outline what pupils have been learning, as well as termly reports on progress and achievement.  The school now meets the previously unmet requirements for this paragraph. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 7 to 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The previous standard inspection judged safeguarding to be effective. This continues to be the case.  The school has an appropriate safeguarding policy. Leaders have published this policy on the school’s website. The policy has been updated in September 2022 to meet the requirements of the latest statutory guidance in the current edition of ‘Keeping children safe in education 2022’.  Leaders implement the policy and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of pupils effectively. Staff are trained to identify pupils who are at risk of harm. Reporting systems are clear and well understood. Leaders work effectively with outside agencies to ensure that vulnerable pupils and their families get the help they need.  Pupils feel safe in school. They are taught how to keep themselves safe, including online. They have received age-appropriate education about healthy relationships, mental

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Main inspection findings

health, sexual harassment and consent. Pupils receive mentoring in school to support their personal development. They are confident to go to staff should they have concerns about their safety and well-being.  The requirements of this paragraph continue to be met.  Leaders have ensured that the requirements of this part continue to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34 (1), 34 (1)(a), 34 (1)(b)  At the previous inspection, the school did not have a robust system to check the effectiveness of leaders’ work. Those responsible for governance lacked strategic oversight of key aspects of the school’s work. This was not part of the remit of the school advisory board. As a result, leaders were not routinely challenged or held to account for their actions.  In the post-inspection action plan, leaders proposed an agreed protocol for performance management, including for the headteacher. The action plan outlined a programme for

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Main inspection findings

professional development for all staff, including the headteacher/proprietor. The timeframes for these actions were not made clear in the action plan.  Leaders have sought support from outside organisations to develop their skills and expertise. They have appointed a school improvement partner to work with leaders on aspects of the school development plan.  The school advisory board has been restructured to have greater oversight of key statutory areas of responsibility. They have clearly defined terms of reference and undertake more rigorous auditing of key areas of the work of leaders. The advisory board scrutinises leaders’ actions through the systematic reports made by senior leaders. They are working to restructure the senior leadership team to further increase the accountability checks on leaders at the school.  The school now meets the previously unmet requirements for this part.  Leaders have taken effective action to ensure that previously unmet standards are now

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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 were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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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(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress.

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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; and – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 14 to 16 September 2021

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Information about this school

 Arco Academy provides alternative provision for pupils aged 11 to 16. All current pupils attend full time and are on dual registration.  The school accepts pupils for short- and long-term placements. Pupils may join the school at any point during the school year.  The school has a sports specialism and is based in Camberwell Leisure Centre. The school occupies its own spaces within this building. Pupils have access to a wide range of sporting facilities within the leisure centre.  Leaders do not use any other alternative provision for pupils.  The headteacher is also the sole proprietor. There is no governing body. A school advisory board is in place that offers support and challenge to school leaders. There is also a school improvement partner who supports the appraisal and accountability of leaders.  The school’s previous standard inspection was in September 2021.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the second routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the continued impact of the pandemic with school leaders and has taken this into account in their evaluation.  This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The school now meets the independent school standards. These are the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.  Following the school’s first inspection in September 2021, leaders were asked to submit an action plan. Ofsted evaluated the school’s action plan on 16 February 2022, and the Department for Education (DfE) rejected the school’s action plan. The DfE requested that

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Information about this inspection

this first progress monitoring inspection consider whether particular independent school standards contained within parts 1 and 8 are now met. The inspection was conducted without notice.  During the inspection, the inspector met with school leaders, including the proprietor, who is also the headteacher, and with the leader with responsibility for safeguarding. The inspector held telephone conversations, including with the chair of the advisory board.  The inspector reviewed a range of school documents, including school policies, written records of meetings of the school advisory board, training records and documents relating to assessment.  The inspector considered the effectiveness of the school’s procedures for safeguarding and welfare of pupils. The inspector reviewed policies relating to safeguarding and checked the school’s record of pre-employment checks. The inspector met with pupils to discuss their learning, including what they have been taught about aspects of staying

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Inspection team

Annabel Davies, lead inspector His 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

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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