JP Alternative Education

School material change inspection report

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JP Alternative Education Shooting Butts Centre, Penkridge Bank Road, Rugeley WS15 2UB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding and child protection policy reflects the most recent statutory guidance and is available on request.  Leaders have completed appropriate safeguarding and safer recruitment training. They are aware of their duties and the importance of establishing and maintaining a strong safeguarding culture. Leaders have a strong understanding of the varied needs and challenges their pupils are likely to present.  Staff complete appropriate training so that they have the knowledge they need to be able to identify concerns and take swift and appropriate action. There are regular briefings and updates which help keep safeguarding at the forefront of everybody’s mind. Staff new to the school complete relevant training linked to safeguarding and pupils’ welfare.  Leaders display a secure understanding of managing behaviour and prevention of

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Main inspection findings

harm.  Leaders have ensured that there is a strong culture of safeguarding at the school Paragraph 11  The health and safety policy is comprehensive and regularly reviewed. The proprietor carries out regular and detailed checks to ensure that the policy is being implemented effectively. Paragraph 12  The school complies with fire safety regulations. Fire safety checks are undertaken regularly. Records are completed in detail and confirm that actions are taken promptly following identification of any concerns. Paragraph 14  Leaders have carefully considered the supervision of pupils to meet their needs and to keep them safe during the school day. This work includes the consideration of risks relating to a wide range of outdoor educational activities. Plans are in place to manage supervision arrangements if the number of full-time pupils on the school site increases. Paragraph 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  Leaders have established a rigorous and robust approach to assessing risk that

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Main inspection findings

supports the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils. Risk assessments are carried out by suitable experienced and knowledgeable staff. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated as necessary.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b) and 21(6)  The single central record contains the full range of pre-employment checks. It is stored centrally in an electronic format.  The school has appropriate recruitment procedures in place. This includes obtaining

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Main inspection findings

two references and carrying out a medical check prior to appointment.  Leaders do not use supply staff to cover staff absence.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The school is situated in a large area of forest on a site that was used to house evacuees from nearby cities during the Second World War. There are five separate buildings on the site. To prepare for the increase in pupil numbers, leaders have created a number of new learning spaces, including a new building for younger pupils. In the new building, there is a classroom space and two smaller rooms for one-to-one work, a kitchen, three individual toilets and handwashing facilities. Four new pods

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Main inspection findings

have been created for one-to-one or small-group work with older pupils. The four new pods for older pupils are located by the main buildings, and pupils can access toilets and a kitchen within the main building. In one of the original buildings, there is now an additional classroom and three smaller group rooms.  The site is located on extensive grounds where pupils can participate in a wide range of outdoor educational activities. There is suitable external lighting outside each of the buildings.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body is made up of four directors. The chair of the body is also the headteacher of the school.  Leaders demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards (the standards).  Leaders have already developed the school site and educational provision to

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Main inspection findings

accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. At the time of the material change inspection, there were 20 full-time pupils on roll and 35 in part-time places. Leaders propose to increase this number to 40 full-time pupils.  Leaders are vigilant in promoting the health and safety and welfare of pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have ensured that they have a suitable accessibility plan in place that meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Proprietor JP Alternative Education Limited

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £125 to £275 per day

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School details

Email address julian.porter@jpalternativeeducation.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21 to 23 June 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 17 10 to 17 10 to 17

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 20 40 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 20 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 19 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 10 20

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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 10 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 20 29

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 42 46

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Information about this school

 The school provides education for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Most pupils have an education, health and care plan. Many of the pupils will have been excluded or will be at risk of exclusion from another school.  The school does not use alternative education provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to consider the school’s request for a material change. The proprietor body would like to increase the maximum permitted number of full-time pupils on the school roll from 20 to 40 pupils.  The purpose of the inspection was to establish whether the school is likely to meet the relevant standards if the registration authority granted the requested material change.  The inspector met with a representative of the proprietor body, who is also the headteacher, and other leaders.  The inspector scrutinised the information and policies provided by the school.  The inspector met with the designated safeguarding lead to review the school’s arrangements for safeguarding pupils and staff. The inspector looked at the school’s single central record of the checks that leaders carry out before staff are employed to work at the school.  The inspector reviewed additional documentation, including the school’s health and

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Information about this inspection

safety policy, risk assessments and fire safety checks.  The inspector toured the school site.

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Inspection team

Emma Gater, lead inspector His Majesty’s 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

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

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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