The White House School

School pre-registration inspection report

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The White House School The White House, 170 Magna Road, Poole BH21 3AP

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2, 3, 4  Leaders have prepared an appropriate curriculum policy which sets out a sufficiently broad range of subjects for pupils to study. The policy shows how the curriculum contributes to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) education. The policy outlines how fundamental British values will be actively promoted.  The curriculum policy is supported by plans and schemes of work for each subject. These plans reflect leaders’ ambitious intent for what pupils should learn. Leaders have given due consideration to the order in which pupils should be taught important knowledge so that their learning builds up securely. The curriculum design considers the specific and individual needs of pupils, including their special educational needs and/or disabilities.  A special educational needs coordinator has been recruited. This is to ensure that the

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Main inspection findings

curriculum continues to meet the needs of pupils who join the school and that there is a strong understanding of the requirements of pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans among staff.  The proprietor proposes that pupils will learn about relationships education through the personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) curriculum. This is already in place.  There is a separate policy for relationships education on the school’s website.  Leaders have recruited teachers with suitable knowledge and experience to deliver the curriculum. Recruitment will continue as pupil numbers increase.  Leaders will ensure that teaching at the school will enable pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress. Leaders will undertake frequent audits of pupils’ learning and of teachers’ lessons and lesson plans.  There is an appropriate policy in place setting out leaders’ expectations for pupils’ behaviour. The policy states that bullying will not be tolerated in the proposed school.

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Main inspection findings

The policy provides information about how leaders and staff will promote responsible behaviour in the proposed school. The policy sets out leaders’ strategies for dealing with inappropriate behaviour, including bullying.  Leaders have a suitable assessment policy in place.  Leaders intend that teachers will carry out assessments to establish pupils’ starting points when pupils join the proposed school. Teachers will check pupils’ progress regularly. Teachers will use the findings from these assessments to inform their teaching.  Pupils’ progress will be shared regularly with parents and carers, and those responsible for governance.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  The SMSC development of pupils will likely be promoted well through the proposed curriculum.  The PSHE education curriculum actively promotes respect for, and tolerance of, those

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Main inspection findings

with different faiths and beliefs. Leaders intend to use assemblies and off-site visits to raise awareness and understanding of world faiths and other cultures.  Policies and plans pay suitable attention to the protected characteristics.  Leaders intend to help pupils to develop their self-knowledge and self-esteem. This will be an important part of school life with all staff trained to support this aspect of the school’s work.  Arrangements are in place to ensure that where staff or visitors discuss political views with pupils, there is a balance of opposing views presented.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16  There is a written safeguarding and child protection policy in place. This policy is up to date with the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022.  The policy provides detailed information for staff on dealing with safeguarding

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Main inspection findings

concerns and how to report them. The designated safeguarding lead is named in the policy.  There is a written behaviour policy in place. It details the school’s expectations for positive behaviour management and the sanctions to take when pupils do not meet these expectations.  There is an anti-bullying policy in place. This makes clear that bullying will not be tolerated.  There are suitable health and safety, first aid and risk assessment policies in place. Risk assessments carried out so far are fit for purpose.  Suitable admissions and attendance registers are ready to be populated once the school is operating.  The proprietor has sought and acted on advice from external fire safety experts who have visited the site. A fire risk assessment is in place. Remedial work identified by the latest fire risk assessment has been completed.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 17, 18, 19, 20, 21  The headteacher is trained in, understands and has set up an appropriate process for the safer recruitment of staff. This process is outlined in the proposed school’s relevant policy.  The proprietor is aware of the required checks on staff who will be recruited to work at the proposed school.  The school does not intend to use supply staff.  The headteacher will be the designated safeguarding lead and has undergone training for this role.  The proposed school’s single central record includes provision for recording the required information on checks carried out on staff working at the proposed school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31  The conversion of the school building from offices has been completed to a high standard.  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities for the sole use of pupils. Toilets have

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Main inspection findings

an adequate supply of hot and cold water. Hot water does not pose a scalding risk to pupils.  Drinking water is readily available from a water cooler. Cold-water supplies suitable for drinking are labelled as such.  The school has a safe outdoor space. This will provide an appropriate place for pupils to play when not in lessons.  There is a medical room for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils. This includes a washing facility, and it is situated near to a toilet.  The school has sufficient accommodation of the proposed number of pupils.  The lighting inside the building is appropriate. There is external lighting to ensure the safety of pupils, staff and visitors during hours of darkness.  Acoustic conditions and sound insulation are appropriate for activities that will take place in the school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school has a website that contains all the necessary and required information. Parents can request paper copies of school policies. The school address, telephone number and contact details for the proprietor and headteacher are listed on the website.  The proprietor has set out plans for parents to be provided with annual written reports on each pupil’s attainment and progress.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33  The proposed school’s complaints procedure fully complies with all the requirements set out in the independent school standards (ISS). The procedure is available for parents or others on request. It includes the steps and timescales for each stage of leaders’ actions following a complaint. The procedure outlines a complainant’s right of appeal. It also makes clear that the panel which hears a complaint will include

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Main inspection findings

someone independent of the management and leadership of the school.  The effective implementation of this procedure will ensure that any complaint is dealt with promptly, and the outcome communicated appropriately.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The proprietors and headteacher have significant experience of working in independent special schools. They have a comprehensive knowledge of the standards.  Leaders are clear in their rationale for the school. They have plans to increase the number of pupils at the school gradually over the next year.  Leaders have safeguarding and pupils’ well-being as a priority. They have plans to ensure that all staff access training to promote the safety and well-being of pupils.  The proprietors have set up a governing board to bring an additional layer of challenge and additional support for school leaders.

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Main inspection findings

 The standard in this part is likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders understand their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. The school’s accessibility equality plan makes provision for meeting its duties around the provision for disabled pupils.

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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

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Email address reception@thewhitehouseschool.org

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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 6 to 11 6 to 11 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 40 40

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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 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable Up to 40

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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 Up to 40

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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 Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 8

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 0

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is located on the outskirts of Poole in a large, former house with a large garden. The property has previously been used as a suite of offices.  It is proposed that the school will provide full-time education for up to 40 boys and girls, aged between six and 11 years. All pupils will have EHC plans.  The school proposes to cater for pupils who have moderate learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.  The school does not intend to use an alternative provision.  The proposed school is owned and run by ARC Schools.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection. It was commissioned by the Department for Education to determine whether the proposed school is likely to meet the independent school standards, if it is given permission to open.  The inspector met with the proprietor and headteacher of the school.  The inspector conducted a tour of the proposed site. He scrutinised a wide range of documentation, including policies, schemes of work and the school’s website.  The inspector checked the arrangements for safeguarding and staff recruitment.

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Inspection team

Mark Burgess, 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

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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