Castleview School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Lewis Charlton Learning Centre 9a & 10a Waterloo House, North Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1HS

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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(2), 2(2)(h)  At the previous standard inspection, leaders had not ensured that pupils were provided with a coherent and aspirational curriculum. The planned curriculum did not consider gaps in pupils’ knowledge. Leaders had not prioritised reading. They had not made sure that the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) were met effectively. Pupils were not achieving as well as they should.  Leaders have now thought clearly about what pupils should be learning and when. This is particularly evident in mathematics, English and information communication technology. The new curriculum considers pupils’ needs and interests, especially in relation to the books they now regularly read.  Leaders have introduced an effective phonics-based reading programme to support pupils who are not yet confident readers.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have ensured that they share with staff targets contained in pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans. Teachers use these targets to help them decide what strategies, support and resources to use that will best meet pupils’ needs. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(h)  At the previous standard inspection, leaders had not made good enough use of assessment information. Pupils’ next steps in learning were not planned carefully enough. Teachers were not given the guidance and training they needed to teach the pupils effectively. They did not have the necessary skills to be able to adapt the curriculum well in response to pupils’ needs.  Teachers are helping pupils acquire new knowledge. Pupils say that they are getting better at comprehension because teachers are asking questions that deepen their understanding of what they are reading. In lessons, pupils are engaged with their

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Main inspection findings

learning and working independently.  Clearly structured lessons and teaching methods that are tailored to their social, emotional and mental health needs enable pupils to control their emotions and focus on their work. As a result, this helps them to learn new knowledge and to make progress in their learning.  Leaders have ensured that assessments are undertaken when pupils first arrive at the school. Some of these assessments are more useful than others at identifying pupils’ knowledge gaps. Teachers use assessment in each lesson to help them see if pupils have engaged with the learning and learned the required key knowledge. This system is still not as effective as it should be. Teachers do not always use the information from these assessments to adjust what they will teach next.  Teachers use their subject knowledge and their detailed knowledge of the pupils’ needs to create learning opportunities that benefit the pupils. These benefits are seen in both

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Main inspection findings

the acquisition of new knowledge and skills as well as in the improvements to pupils’ social and emotional development.  The school meets the requirements of the independent school standards that were checked in this part. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 15, 32(1), 32(1)(c),  The standard relating to the school’s safeguarding arrangements was judged not to be met at the previous standard inspection. Leaders did not monitor well enough the pupils who attended alternative provisions unaccompanied. They did not have a rigorous enough oversight of pupils who attended school on a part-time basis. Errors in the recording of pupils’ attendance when they were not on a school site put pupils at risk of harm.  At the emergency inspection in July 2022 these standards were judged to still not be met due to safeguarding arrangements not having regard to the latest national

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Main inspection findings

guidance. Leaders had not carried out rigorous enough checks to ensure that absent pupils were safe and well.  Leaders have addressed these safeguarding issues by paying close attention to the latest national guidance. They have rigorous checks in place to monitor all pupils who are educated off-site.  Leaders maintain attendance registers in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. Registers contain the correct codes for pupils who are absent. Registers are regularly checked by the designated safeguarding leader to ensure that they are accurate. Leaders undertake regular checks on absent pupils to ensure that they are safe and well. Through this, leaders assure themselves that these pupils are not at risk of harm.  The latest version of the safeguarding policy is available on the school’s website.  The school meets the requirement of the independent school standards that were

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Main inspection findings

checked in this part. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c)  Staff implement the behaviour policy effectively. They support pupils to help them manage their behaviour.  Leaders maintain clear and accurate behaviour records. They regularly analyse these records.  This standard remains 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 standard inspection, inspectors found that the proprietor had not ensured that the school consistently met all the independent school standards.  Through their actions in meeting the previously unmet requirements in relation to the quality of education and the welfare, health and safety of pupils, leaders have demonstrated the knowledge appropriate to their role. Leaders now demonstrate the necessary skills and knowledge in relation to the independent school standards that were checked as part of this inspection.

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Main inspection findings

 The school meets the requirements of the independent school standards in this part.

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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 education, health and care plan.  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are– – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught – 3(b) fosters in pupils self-motivation, the application of intellectual, physical and creative

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught – 3(h) utilises effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging pupils to act responsibly.

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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(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 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.

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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

Type of school Other independent special 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 8

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £67,350 to £107,850

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School details

Email address enquiries@lewischarltonschool.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 22 to 25 March 2022

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Information about this school

 Lewis Charlton Learning Centre is an independent special school. All pupils have an EHC plan. Most pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs. Some pupils have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder  The school is located across four sites. Three sites are found in the centre of Ashby-de-la- Zouch. These are: Abney Hastings, South Street, Ashby-de-la Zouch LE65 1BR; Lewis Charlton Village, South Street, Ashby-de-la Zouch LE65 1BR; and The Haven, North Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1HU. The post-16 provision takes place at Lewis Charlton College, located on Moira Road, Donisthorpe DE12 7QE.  The school uses three unregistered alternative providers and two further education colleges for pupils to receive some of their education.  The school’s most recent standard inspection took place from 22 to 25 March 2022.  An emergency inspection of the school took place on 6 July 2022.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the Department for Education (DfE). The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards that it was judged to not comply with at its previous standard inspection, or that were not considered, or not deemed to be met, at the subsequent emergency inspection.  The DfE also commissioned inspectors to consider the wider issues related to a complaint it had received about the school relating to pupil behaviour.  The inspection took place with no notice. This was in line with the commission from the DfE. The inspection was the school’s first monitoring inspection.  The inspectors met with the headteacher, the head of school and senior staff. The lead inspector spoke to the proprietor via a video link. Inspectors spoke with a number of other staff.  The inspectors discussed the curriculum with subject leaders, visited a sample of lessons

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Information about this inspection

at all four sites, spoke to teachers, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work.  The inspectors scrutinised a range of documents relating to the school’s provision, including: the revised action plan, safeguarding records, behaviour records, serious incident records, and pupils’ risk assessments.  The inspectors checked a sample of pupils’ EHC plans.  Inspectors spent time with pupils during their reading session and looked at the books they were reading.  The inspectors checked the school’s single central record and recruitment procedures.

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Inspection team

Dave Gilkerson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Paul Lowther 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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