Felixstowe International College

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Felixstowe International College Maybush House, Maybush Lane, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 7NA

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2), 2(2)(a)  At the school’s standard inspection in February 2022, the requirements in this independent school standard were not met. Inspectors found that leaders did not have an effective curriculum in place for all subjects.  Leaders have worked with external specialists to improve curriculum design and delivery. The curriculum for all subjects is now well planned. Leaders have provided the information teachers need to teach important subject-specific knowledge in a sensible order. This supports pupils to learn successfully over time.  The proprietor has provided leaders with the training and support needed to improve curriculum leadership. Leaders understand how to lead and manage their subjects. This has enabled them to make significant improvements in the planning and delivery of the curriculum. Leaders now monitor how their subjects are taught. This ensures that

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Main inspection findings

curriculum plans are delivered as intended and to a high standard across the school. Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e)  The requirements of this independent school standard were not met at the standard inspection in February 2022 because, in some subjects, teachers did not provide the necessary support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  To make the necessary improvements, senior leaders provided training for all staff. As a result, leaders now identify the needs of these pupils precisely. Additionally, teachers use leaders’ detailed guidance to plan appropriate learning activities for pupils with SEND. Leaders recognise that while teachers now meet the needs of pupils with SEND, teachers require further training to continue to build on this improvement to strengthen their teaching skills and use of strategies for pupils with SEND.  Leaders make sure that pupils who speak English as an additional language are

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Main inspection findings

supported effectively. During lessons, teachers provide appropriate activities that ensure these pupils learn the intended curriculum. Leaders also have extra language tuition in place for these pupils to improve their understanding and use of English.  Leaders have ensured that these independent school standards are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders have ensured that staff are well trained in safeguarding procedures. Staff know pupils very well and are on the lookout for signs of potential harm. When concerns arise, staff act swiftly and appropriately. Leaders maintain detailed records of these concerns and use this information effectively to support vulnerable pupils.  Leaders’ curriculum includes regular opportunities for pupils to learn about the risks they face and how to keep themselves safe. Pupils develop a strong understanding about how

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Main inspection findings

to protect themselves from harm.  Leaders have ensured that this independent school standard continues to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  This standard was not met at the standard inspection in February 2022 because leaders did not provide a suitable room for medical examination or treatment.  The proprietor has installed an appropriate medical room for pupils attending the day school. The medical room has all the necessary furniture and equipment to provide short-term care for sick and injured pupils.  Leaders have ensured that this independent school standard is now met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(a)  The requirements of this independent school standard were not met at the standard inspection in February 2022 because leaders did not provide the necessary information about the school for parents of both pupils and prospective pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have chosen to create a school website. This includes all the information required for parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils, including details about the curriculum.  Leaders have ensured that this independent school standard is now met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  This standard was not met at the standard inspection in February 2022 because the proprietor and leaders did not ensure that the school met all the independent school standards. Since the previous inspection, the Department for Education (DfE) accepted with modifications leaders’ action plan to make the required improvements. Leaders have suitably modified the action plan to meet the DfE’s requests.  Leaders have drawn on the expertise of specialist consultants to make the necessary improvements to the quality of education provided by the school. Leaders have put

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Main inspection findings

effective monitoring systems in place. This enables the proprietor and leaders to check the progress of the school’s improvement journey and take the right actions to move the school forward.  The proprietor has taken seriously the need for the school to improve. The proprietor has invested in the training and resources needed to meet the independent school standards. The proprietor and leaders have positioned the school well to improve further.  The proprietor and school leaders have ensured that this independent school standard is now met.

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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 the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work– – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.  2(2) For the purposes of (2)(1)(a) the matters are– – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which give pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including– – 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility.  24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).

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Part 6. Provision of information

 31(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 32(1)(a) the information specified in sub-paragraph (2) is provided to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector [14], the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate [15].

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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

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 12

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School details

Proprietor Felixstowe International E-WHA Limited

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School details

Annual fees £17,589 (day pupils) £33,000 (boarding pupils) Telephone number 01394 282388

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 15–17 February 2022

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Information about this school

 Felixstowe International College is registered with the DfE as a day and boarding school with a Christian ethos.  A small number of pupils have SEND. Some pupils with SEND have an education, health and care plan.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  At the school’s previous standard inspection, in February 2022, the school did not meet all the independent school standards.

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Information about this inspection

 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 were judged as not compliant at its previous inspection.  This is the first progress monitoring inspection since the full standard inspection in February 2022. At the standard inspection, the school did not comply with all the independent school standards. The DfE commissioned Ofsted to carry out the progress monitoring inspection to determine if the school meets all the independent school standards.  In August 2022, the DfE accepted the school’s action plan with modifications.  This progress monitoring inspection was carried out with no notice.  The inspector met with the headteacher, one of the proprietors, the chair of the local governing body, senior leaders, subject leaders, teachers, members of support staff and

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Information about this inspection

pupils.  The inspector reviewed policies, curriculum plans, schemes of work and the information for parents on the school’s website.  The inspector reviewed documentation in relation to safeguarding, including the single central record of pre-employment checks. The inspector discussed the school’s safeguarding arrangements with leaders, teachers and pupils.  The inspector visited lessons and scrutinised a sample of pupils’ work in books.

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Inspection team

Al Mistrano, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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