Cornerstone Academy

School material change inspection report

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Cornerstone Academy Marlfields Primary Academy, Waggs Road, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4BT

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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 Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  Leaders have published a detailed and suitable safeguarding policy on the school’s website, which has regard to the most recent guidance provided by the government. Leaders are knowledgeable about safeguarding matters and they ensure that staff receive appropriate training regularly. There is a well-organised system to report and record concerns about pupils. Leaders respond to these concerns quickly and provide the help that pupils need. They use the services of outside agencies, such as the local authority’s children’s social care team, when they need to do so. Leaders understand the processes involved in managing any allegations against members of staff which may arise. Paragraph 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Leaders have appropriate policies which explain their approach to managing health and safety, risk assessment and fire safety matters. Leaders make sure that the

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Main inspection findings

premises are tidy and well maintained. They carry out regular checks to ensure that there are no potential dangers to health and safety around the school. Risk assessments are suitably detailed. Leaders identify hazards and establish appropriate control measures. Leaders carry out regular inspections of equipment and systems to ensure fire safety.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are met if the Department for Education (DfE) approves the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)–23(1)(b), 24(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2), 25–29(1)(b)  Leaders previously used the new premises as a second site before they moved from their main site at Marlfields Primary Academy, Waggs Road, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4BT. These new premises are maintained to a good standard. Leaders have secured pupils’ safety and welfare by keeping the building in good order and minimising the risk of accidents. Fire evacuation procedures are clearly displayed.  There are suitable toilet facilities for pupils, which consist of individual toilet cubicles that pupils can lock from the inside. There is an adequate supply of cold water for the toilets. Washing facilities have hot and cold water. The temperature of the hot water is unlikely to cause scalding.  An area of the school office can be screened off and is used to look after pupils who are unwell. Leaders ensure that this area is readily available when needed. There is a

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Main inspection findings

bed and a washbasin with hot and cold water in this room. There is also a lockable toilet cubicle.  Classrooms and other teaching spaces have light and acoustic conditions appropriate to their purpose.  There is a labelled source of drinking water in the kitchen area. Pupils have access to drinking water throughout the day. Staff either provide jugs of water in class or accompany pupils to the kitchen when required.  There are two outdoor areas which are suitable for play and taking part in physical education. One of these areas is grassed and the other is a tarmac surface. They are both well maintained. Leaders ensure that pupils are supervised in these areas at all times.  There is external lighting so that people may enter and leave the building safely during the hours of darkness.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are met if the DfE approves the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The members of the proprietor body have a suitable range of experience and training to support their work. They have appropriate systems in place to check that school leaders meet the independent school standards consistently. Members of the proprietor body understand their statutory responsibilities, such as those relating to safeguarding and equality.  Members of the proprietor body check that school leaders maintain the premises to a good standard effectively. They ensure that school leaders successfully promote pupils’ well-being. Leaders have made sure that all the other standards that were inspected are met consistently.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are met if the DfE approves the material change.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders’ accessibility plan is suitable. Actions include providing staff with training to help them to include pupils with disabilities in learning and providing ramps for access to the building.  Leaders have ensured that this requirement is met if the DfE approves the material change.

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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

Proprietor Cornerstone Alternative Education Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £9,750 to £11,700

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16 to 18 November 2021

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 11 Not applicable Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 12 Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 12 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils None Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 12 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 4 Not applicable

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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 2 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 1 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision None Not applicable

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Information about this school

 Cornerstone Academy is an independent school that provides alternative education for pupils who are at risk of exclusion from primary schools across Cheshire East. All pupils are dual registered with the referring primary school. A small number of pupils have an education, health and care plan when they join the school. Pupils who attend the school typically have social, emotional and mental health needs.  The school’s previous standard inspection was conducted from 16 to 18 November 2021.  Leaders do not make use of any alternative provision.  Leaders have moved the school to new premises at The Stables, Warmingham Road, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 4PP, which is where this inspection took place. The proprietor body notified the DfE of this change to the school’s registration agreement.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE 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 requested a change of premises from Marlfields Primary Academy, Waggs Road, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4BT to The Stables, Warmingham Road, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 4PP. Leaders have already implemented this change. It is unlikely to have a detrimental effect on the educational provision at the school.  This is the first material change inspection that the school has received in respect of this particular change which the proprietor body has applied to make.  The inspector spoke with a representative of the proprietor body, the chair of the local support board and the headteacher. He conducted an inspection of the premises. He looked at relevant policies and evaluated the effectiveness of their implementation, including those connected with safeguarding and matters of health, safety and

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Inspection team

Mark Quinn, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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