Aurora Summerfields School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Aurora Summerfields School Summerfields Village Centre, Dean Row Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 2TA

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)–2(2)(b), 2(2)(g)–2(2)(i)  The proprietor body intends to provide pupils and students with a wide range of subjects, which include experience of, for example, aesthetic and creative, linguistic and technological education. There is a suitable curriculum policy in place. Leaders have devised schemes of work which define the knowledge that they want pupils and students to acquire. All pupils and students who are likely to attend the school will have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders have taken this fact into consideration in the design of their proposed curriculum. Leaders do not anticipate admitting a large number of students aged 16 to 19 years to the school. Nevertheless, leaders have suitable schemes of work in place which are likely to meet these students’ needs. The policy and schemes of work do not undermine fundamental British values.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 2(2)(d)–2(2)(e)(iii)  The scheme of work for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education reflects the proposed school’s values and ethos. Leaders intend to develop pupils’ understanding of the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010. There is an appropriately broad range of topics which leaders intend to teach, including self- awareness and managing feelings.  An appropriate careers policy is in place. Leaders intend to provide impartial careers advice and guidance to pupils from Year 7 onward. Leaders aim to help pupils and students to make appropriate choices for their future, based on their interests and strengths. Paragraph 2A(1)–2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d)–2A(2)  Leaders have a suitable policy in place connected with the provision of relationships and sex education (RSE). Leaders propose to provide age-appropriate RSE for all pupils and students. Leaders have planned to consult with parents and carers about

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Main inspection findings

the policy when the proposed school is open. There will also be an arrangement for parents to request that they withdraw their child from sex education if they wish to do so. The scheme of work for PSHE education includes suitable themes that will enable leaders to provide RSE. These include learning about healthy relationships and consent. Paragraph 3–3(j)  Teaching in the proposed school is likely to enable pupils and students, including those with SEND, to make progress in line with their age and aptitudes. Evidence from leaders’ intended curriculum documents supports this. Leaders also provided evidence of orders for the purchase of a wide range of resources, such as books, stationery, furniture and equipment. These are scheduled to arrive at the school before it is due to open. Some learning resources, such as smart boards, laptops and cooking equipment, are already in place. Paragraph 4  A clear assessment policy is in place. It explains leaders’ intended approaches to

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Main inspection findings

assessing pupils’ performance. It identifies key principles that underpin assessment, such as informing teaching and planning and enabling pupils and students to understand their strengths and weaknesses.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met when the school opens. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5–5(d)(iii)  Leaders have explained their intended approach to promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development in a useful policy document. It states that leaders intend to encourage SMSC development through a wide range of planned opportunities. These include activities to nurture pupils’ gifts and talents, explore different religious beliefs, encourage cooperation, develop understanding of British values and address discrimination.  Leaders have ensured that the standard in this part is likely to be met when the

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Main inspection findings

school opens. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–7(b)  There is a detailed safeguarding policy which references the most recent government guidance. The policy explains leaders’ proposed approach to managing a range of safeguarding risks to pupils. These include sexual violence and online safety. The safeguarding policy is supported by a staff conduct document, which explains, among other matters, leaders’ expectations for staff’s interaction with pupils. Leaders have set up systems which they intend to use to report and record safeguarding concerns. These are likely to ensure effective management of safeguarding. Paragraphs 9–10  The proprietor body’s proposed behaviour policy is suitable. It describes leaders’ and staff’s responsibilities, as well as rewards and sanctions. Leaders have taken the needs of pupils with SEND into consideration when devising the policy. Leaders have

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Main inspection findings

an appropriate system which they plan to use to record incidents of serious misbehaviour and leaders’ response to them.  The school’s proposed bullying policy is appropriate. It explains the various types of bullying, including prejudice-based bullying. Leaders make clear how they intend to report and respond to bullying. There is a system in place which is likely to be suitable for recording incidents. Paragraphs 11–13, 16–16(b)  Leaders have produced suitable policies for health and safety, fire safety, first aid and risk assessment. These policies are likely to be implemented effectively when the school opens. For example, leaders have an electronic system which they intend to use to record frequent checks on the general safety of the building and to identify any issues. They also have a proposed procedure for recording first-aid incidents. Paragraph 14  Leaders intend that there will be approximately one member of the teaching staff,

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Main inspection findings

which includes teaching assistants, for every three pupils or students. This means that staff are likely to be able to supervise pupils and students effectively. Paragraph 15  The intended admissions register will be an electronically stored document, which will contain all the required information. Leaders intend to use an electronic system for the proposed school’s attendance register. This will use recognised codes to indicate pupils’ attendance and absences.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met when the school opens. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6)–20(6)(b)(ii), 21(1)– 21(3)(b), 21(5)–21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)–21(6)  The chair of the proprietor body has arranged for all the required suitability checks to be carried out on other members of the proprietor body, governors and members of

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Main inspection findings

staff who have already been appointed. These checks include establishing the medical fitness of employees. Leaders have recorded this information on an electronic single central record. Leaders intend to use the same process to ensure the suitability of future staff.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met when the school opens. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)–23(1)(c), 24(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2), 25–29(1)(b)  The proprietor body has recently had the proposed premises refurbished. They are in very good condition. Leaders ensure that they maintain them to a high standard. The proprietor body is likely to be able to ensure pupils’ and students’ health and safety as far as possible while the premises are occupied.  There are suitable toilet facilities for pupils. These are individual cubicles which pupils will be able to lock from the inside. There is an adequate supply of cold water for

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Main inspection findings

these toilets. There are washbasins with hot and cold water. The temperature of the hot water is unlikely to scald pupils. The facilities are new and are in very good condition.  There is a single shower cubicle which has a suitable supply of hot and cold water. However, this will not be used by pupils over 11 years of age for the purposes of showering after lessons in physical education (PE). Leaders intend to use off-site facilities to deliver the PE curriculum. They have drawn up appropriate risk assessments to ensure that pupils will be able to use these facilities, including the changing and showering area, safely.  Drinking water will be available from labelled, dedicated dispensers. These are not currently in place. However, leaders presented evidence of purchase orders that they have placed, with an expected date for delivery. These dispensers are likely to be in place before the school opens.

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Main inspection findings

 There are seven spacious classrooms, some of which are awaiting furniture. Leaders presented evidence that they have ordered a range of furniture with expected delivery dates due before leaders intend to open the school. There are also rooms for specific subjects, such as design and technology. These rooms have a good range of new equipment ready to use. All classrooms have suitable acoustic conditions and lighting.  There is an appropriate room for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils. It contains a bed and suitable washing facilities. There is a toilet next to this room.  There is enough outdoor space for pupils to use during breaktime. The ground surfaces consist of asphalt, grass and artificial turf. There is new fencing around the perimeter to ensure pupils’ safety. There are external lights to enable safe entry and exit when it is dark.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met when the

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Main inspection findings

school opens. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)–32(1)(c), 32(1)(f), 32(1)(h), 32(1)(i), 32(2)–32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(ii), 32(2)(d)–32(3)(e)  The proprietor body has set up a website for the proposed school. This contains all the required information, including the proposed school’s safeguarding policy, and some additional policies and documents. There is a statement on the website which informs prospective parents that all policies and other relevant information will be available from the school on request.  Leaders have ensured that the standard in this part is likely to be met when the school opens. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 32(3)(f), 33–33(k)  The proposed school’s complaints policy closely matches the requirements set out in the standards. For example, it is in writing and contains clear time scales for responses at each stage of the management of a complaint. It also allows for a

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Main inspection findings

complaint to be made informally at the initial stage. The policy is published on the school’s website. Leaders also intend to publish the number of formal complaints in the previous school year on the website.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met when the school opens. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The chair and members of the proprietor body have relevant experience which is likely to support them in leading and managing the proposed school. They have suitable strategies which are likely to enable them to hold school leaders to account and to ensure that the standards are met consistently.  The proprietor body has devised policies and procedures that are likely to ensure that pupils are kept safe and their welfare is secured.  Leaders have ensured that the standard in this part is likely to be met when the

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Main inspection findings

school opens. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have formulated suitable actions to ensure accessibility for pupils with disabilities. For example, leaders intend to develop wheelchair access to the upper floor of the building. They also intend to adapt the way that information is presented by using enlarged print when appropriate.  Leaders have ensured that this requirement is likely to be met when the school opens.

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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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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

Type of school Other independent special school

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Email address tracy.whitehurst@the-aurora-group.com

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 5 to 19 5 to 19 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 45 Number of part-time pupils Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable 50

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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 Not applicable 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable None

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Information about this proposed school

 Aurora Summerfields School is proposed to be an independent special school based in the town of Wilmslow in Cheshire. The school will mainly admit pupils from Cheshire East local authority. The proposed school will operate from premises at Summerfields Village Centre, Dean Row Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 2TA.  The proprietor body intends to cater mainly for pupils with autism spectrum disorders. It is expected that all pupils will have an education, health and care plan.  The proprietor body does not intend to use alternative provision.  It is not proposed that the school will cater for pupils with complex needs.  Leaders do not anticipate there being a large number of students over 16 years of age. Leaders intend only to admit such students if they are continuing their studies from key stage 4 because of their specific needs.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was conducted by Ofsted at the request of the Department for Education to consider the school’s application to open an independent special school registered for 50 pupils aged five to 19.  The inspection was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body, the principal, the head of school and the chair of governors of the proposed school. He also met with other leaders from the existing school group. He analysed a wide range of documents, including curriculum plans and documents relating to safeguarding and health and safety. He conducted a tour of the premises.

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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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