Unique Children's School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Unique Children’s School 1a Dukes Avenue, London N10 2PS

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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(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d), 2A(1)(e), 2A(1)(f), 2A(1)(g) and 2A(2)  At the previous full inspection in May 2022, leaders’ curriculum thinking was too vague. They had not clearly identified the most important knowledge and skills that pupils needed to learn across all subjects. Arrangements for teaching and assessment, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), were not as helpful as they should be in enabling pupils to know more and remember more over time. Curriculum plans did not meet the requirements of the independent school standards (the standards). Opportunities for pupils to read and write across the curriculum were too limited. There were no coherent policies or curriculum plans for

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Main inspection findings

personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, careers education or relationships and sex education (RSE).  The school’s action plan outlined some suitable but mostly generic objectives, such as rethinking the curriculum, creating and improving policies and redesigning curriculum plans.  This inspection found leaders to have taken effective action to think through the intention of the school’s curriculum. Curriculum plans have been rewritten in every subject. They now clearly identify the knowledge and skills that pupils, including those with SEND, need to learn over time. There are increased opportunities for pupils to read and write across the curriculum.  New policies in PSHE education, careers education and RSE are all appropriate and being implemented well. All the RSE requirements are now understood and met. Pupils now receive timetabled lessons in PSHE education, RSE and ‘well-being’, as well as a wider

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Main inspection findings

range of subjects than was the case at the previous inspection. They also receive regular, impartial careers education and guidance from an external careers adviser.  The standards checked in this part are now met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(b) and 5(b)(vi)  The previous inspection found that leaders had not thought through how to encourage pupils to respect the full range of protected characteristics, as identified in the Equality Act 2010. They had not ensured that all the protected characteristics were referenced in curriculum plans.  In the school’s action plan, leaders’ proposed objectives were too vague. The action plan did not include any explanation as to how all nine of the protected characteristics would feature in the PSHE education curriculum.  This inspection found that leaders have written a clear equality policy that supports the

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Main inspection findings

revised curriculum plans for PSHE education, RSE and the well-being programme. All these documents reflect leaders’ commitment to explicitly encourage pupils to respect the full range of protected characteristics.  The standards checked in this part are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a)  This inspection found that leaders continue to maintain a strong safeguarding culture. Leaders and staff receive regular training. Concerns are dealt with appropriately when they arise. Curriculum plans reflect leaders’ commitment to ensuring pupils regularly learn about keeping themselves safe.  This standard continues to be met. Paragraphs 7, 7(b), 15, 16, 16(a), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  At the previous inspection, the school’s safeguarding policy did not pay regard to the latest statutory guidance. Admission and attendance registers were not compliant with legislation. Leaders had not written a risk assessment policy.

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s action plan stated that all the required documents would be written or updated to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.  This inspection found the school’s safeguarding policy comprehensively reflects the latest guidance, including that outlined in ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2022). It is readily available in hard copy.  The admission and attendance registers are now fully compliant.  Leaders have written and implemented a suitable risk assessment policy.  The standards checked are now met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(a), 32(1)(b), 32(2), 32(2)(c), 32(3) and 32(3)(c)  At the previous inspection, some of the required information, such as policies and correspondence details, were not readily available.  The school’s action plan stated that leaders would write, update and make available all the required policies and a prospectus.

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Main inspection findings

 This inspection found all the required information to be readily available. The school’s new prospectus contains all the relevant information, including the name and correspondence details of the chair of governors.  The standards checked in this part are now met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  At the time of the previous inspection, leaders were not demonstrating the skills and knowledge required to ensure that all the independent school standards were met consistently.  In the school’s action plan, leaders’ proposed objectives generally lacked sufficient detail.  This inspection confirmed that the proprietor, governing body and leaders have taken decisive and effective action to remedy the weaknesses identified at the previous inspection. Leaders have worked effectively to develop their understanding of statutory responsibilities, including RSE requirements and independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor and headteacher are now fulfilling their responsibilities and demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to meet the standards consistently.  The standard checked in this part is now met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The previous inspection found leaders had not written and implemented an accessibility plan.  This inspection confirmed, as proposed in the school’s action plan, that a suitable accessibility plan has been written and implemented. It outlines appropriate actions to improve access to the premises, the curriculum and written information.  This requirement 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 of 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; and – 2(1)(b)(ii) do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (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 gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social,

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

physical and aesthetic and creative education; – 2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills; – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which- – 2(2)(d)(i) reflects the school’s aim and ethos; and – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; – 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that- – 2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner; – 2(2)(e)(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options; and – 2(2)(e)(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential.  2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 2A(1)(b) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with secondary education at the school is provided with relationships and sex education, except in so

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

far as the pupil is excused as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), – 2A(1)(d) in making arrangements for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), has regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 that applies in relation to the provision of education by maintained schools, – 2A(1)(e) makes and keeps up to date a separate written statement of its policy with regard to the provision of education as required by each of paragraphs (a) and (b), – 2A(1)(f) consults parents of registered pupils at the school before making or revising a statement under sub-paragraph (e), and – 2A(1)(g) publishes a copy of the statement on a website and provides a copy of the statement free of charge to anyone who asks for one.  2A(2) Arrangements made by the proprietor for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b) must ensure that where a pupil’s parent requests that the pupil is wholly or partly excused from sex education provided as part of relationships and sex education, the pupil is so

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

excused until the request is withdrawn, unless or to the extent that the head teacher considers that the pupil should not be so excused.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor- – 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which- – 5(b)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(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; – 32(1)(b) the information specified in sub-paragraph (3) is made available to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector, the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate.  32(2) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is- – 32(2)(c) where there is a governing body, the name and address for correspondence of its Chair.  32(3) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is- – 32(3)(c) particulars of the policy referred to in paragraph 2.

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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; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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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

Date of previous standard inspection 24 to 26 May 2022

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Information about this school

 Unique Children’s School is a small independent secondary day school in the London Borough of Haringey.  Pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs. They are placed by a range of local authorities. Some have education, health and care plans.  The school does not make use of alternative provision.  The school’s most recent inspection was its last standard inspection in May 2022.

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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 it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  Following the school’s standard inspection in May 2022, the Department for Education asked the proprietor to submit an action plan. This was judged to be not acceptable by Ofsted in November 2022 and was subsequently rejected. This was the first progress monitoring inspection since the school’s action plan submission. The inspection was conducted without notice.  The focus of the inspection was to check whether the school complied with particular requirements within parts 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards and schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  The inspector met with the sole proprietor and the headteacher. He toured the premises

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Information about this inspection

and reviewed a range of evidence, including policies, curriculum plans and pupils’ work.  There were no recent responses to Ofsted’s online survey, Ofsted Parent View.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted 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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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