Camp Hill Education

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Camp Hill Education The Bordesley Centre, Stratford Road, Camp Hill, Birmingham B11 1AR

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph: 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(2), 2(2)(a)  At the time of the last standard inspection in July 2021, and the subsequent progress monitoring inspection that took place in April 2022, the proprietor had not ensured that the school’s curriculum met the needs of pupils. Pupils were unable to make progress because the curriculum and plans did not take their special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) into account.  The school submitted an action plan to the Department for Education (DfE), outlining measures it would take to address the failings in standards. The initial action plan was rejected by the DfE in February 2022. A revised action plan was deemed acceptable in September 2022.  Since the last inspection, the proprietor, who is also the headteacher, has reviewed the curriculum policy to offer a broader range of subjects. The curriculum policy is supported

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Main inspection findings

by plans that outline the content and the order in which the curriculum should be taught in each subject.  Curriculum plans take into account the individual needs of pupils and outline how learning must be adapted in order for pupils to progress. Additional learning plans are in place for each pupil based on important content from pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans.  Leaders have placed emphasis on teaching pupils how to read. Pupils who struggle with reading access daily phonics and receive additional support with reading. This is delivered by appropriately trained staff.  The standards in this paragraph are now met. Paragraph: 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  At the time of the last inspection, pupils did not receive impartial careers guidance that allowed them to make informed future choices.  The proprietor has engaged with an external provider, who attends the school regularly

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Main inspection findings

to deliver one-to-one guidance and group sessions. Pupils also access work experience linked to their long-term career choices. Employability sessions take place on a weekly basis, consisting of well-planned content to support pupils into their next steps. The curriculum meets the needs of pupils above compulsory school age, with a sharper focus on preparation for adulthood and life in modern Britain.  This standard is now met. Paragraph: 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g)  At the time of the last inspection, and during the subsequent monitoring inspection, pupils were unable to make progress due to poorly planned lessons and staff with limited subject knowledge. Teaching did not build on what pupils had previously been taught.  The curriculum plans have been revised. Teaching is planned in a logical order which takes into account what pupils already know and can already do. Plans take into account

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Main inspection findings

the needs of pupils and outline ways that learning should be adapted. Assessment takes place regularly, based on key knowledge and skills, enabling teachers to revisit important content where necessary.  Lessons are delivered by staff who are suitably experienced, with appropriate subject knowledge. The school is currently recruiting an English specialist teacher.  The paragraphs in this standard are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  At the time of the last full inspection, and subsequent monitoring visit, a number of safeguarding concerns were raised. The school’s process for recording and monitoring pupils’ absence lacked rigour. Staff had not completed essential training in fire safety and first aid. In addition, pupils and staff were placed at potential risk due to weak processes around risk assessment.  Since the last inspection, leaders have ensured that staff have completed appropriate

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Main inspection findings

training. The systems for recording and monitoring absence are tighter, resulting in quicker follow-up actions being taken.  The risk assessment policy has been reviewed. Risk assessments are in place for staff working alone with pupils. The school makes use of the local community, engaging in many trips and visits. These experiences are suitably risk assessed and appropriate action is taken to minimise risk.  The safeguarding policy is written with due regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  The paragraphs in this standard are now met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c) and 32(1)(i)  Due to a technical issue with the school’s website, the safeguarding policy is not available online. Copies are made available on request.  At the point of the last inspection and monitoring visit, leaders had not routinely reviewed the EHC plans for pupils with SEND. Plans for all pupils in the school’s current

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Main inspection findings

cohort have been reviewed within the specified timescales.  These standards are now met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  At the previous inspections, the proprietor had not taken appropriate action to ensure that the independent school standards were consistently met.  Significant weaknesses in the curriculum and the provision for pupils with SEND resulted in pupils making limited progress. Leaders and governors have reviewed the curriculum to ensure it meets the requirements of the independent school standards and is sufficiently broad and balanced. The proprietor has outlined the expectations of governors through a detailed policy. Follow-up meetings show a sharper focus on the curriculum and quality of education to address significant weaknesses.  The proprietor has taken necessary action to address the previous failings in

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Main inspection findings

safeguarding. Systems for monitoring pupils’ absence and assessing risk are robust.  Staff recruitment and retention have been challenging for the school. The proprietor has taken effective action to recruit new staff and provide appropriate training.  These standards are now met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school makes appropriate arrangements to meet the statutory requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

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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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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 3

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School details

Email address camphilleducation@gmail.com

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 6 to 8 July 2021

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Information about this school

 Camp Hill Education is an independent day school, situated in the centre of Birmingham. The school is housed within a community centre, where it occupies a classroom and has use of a youth club room. The school opened in August 2019.  Pupils are referred to the school via the local authority. All pupils have an EHC plan.  Leaders do not make use of alternative provision.

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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.  The first standard inspection took place in July 2021, when the school’s overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate with a number of serious regulatory failings. A subsequent monitoring visit took place in April 2022, when a number of standards remained unmet.  This second progress monitoring visit was carried out without notice and lasted only one day.  The inspector met with the proprietor, who is also the headteacher.  The inspector visited lessons and looked at pupils’ books.  The inspector reviewed a range of documents, including the curriculum policy and supporting curriculum plans. A number of key policies were also reviewed, including

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Information about this inspection

safeguarding and risk assessment. A range of risk assessments were also sampled.  The school’s single central record of checks made on staff was also checked.

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Inspection team

Melanie Callaghan-Lewis, 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

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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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