Thomas's College

School pre-registration inspection report

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Thomas’s Putney Vale Stroud Crescent, London SW15 3EQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have developed ambitious curriculum and assessment policies which are complemented by thorough, sequenced curriculum plans for pupils in Years 9 to 11. All the required areas of learning are covered. In addition to studying all national curriculum subjects and working towards GCSEs, pupils will learn through cross- curricular approaches, including through ‘exhibition’ and ‘global studies’ projects, and the Higher Project Qualification.  Teaching in each subject is likely to take account of pupils’ different ages, interests and abilities, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The planned pastoral programme for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is likely to be suitable. The curriculum includes ample coverage of fundamental British values and equality.  Leaders have suitable plans to commission an external careers service and are

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Main inspection findings

currently also seeking to recruit a careers director. The proposed school’s careers policy is likely to be implemented well, ensuring that all pupils access regular, impartial and up-to-date careers information, advice and guidance.  The school’s proposed relationships and sex education programme covers all the required areas of statutory guidance. Leaders plan to consult with parents and carers when they open in September 2023. The proposed policy provides clear guidance to parents about the possibility of withdrawing their children from sex education.  Leaders are likely to ensure that the proposed school is very well resourced so that every subject may be taught well.  Leaders’ arrangements to ensure teachers are qualified subject experts, and to monitor and maintain a consistently high quality of education, are likely to be effective.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in this

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Main inspection findings

part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  Through the timetabled pastoral programme, pupils are likely to be well supported to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. The proposed PSHE education curriculum includes coverage of physical and mental health, keeping safe and healthy relationships. Pupils will learn about British values and be encouraged to respect differences, including in relation to the range of protected characteristics. Pupils will learn about the diversity of modern society and how to be a good citizen and are encouraged at all times to ‘be kind’ in line with the Thomas’s ethos. Pupils will be taught about a range of religions, faiths and cultures.  The curriculum will be complemented by a rich programme of daily clubs, educational visits, overseas residentials, visiting speakers, sports fixtures and enrichment

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Main inspection findings

activities.  The proposed school’s staff policy on political impartiality and partisan views pays clear regard to both the relevant standard and the Department for Education’s ‘Political impartiality in schools’ guidance. Teachers are likely to be clear that they may not promote partisan political views. Teachers are likely to ensure that balanced points of view are always presented in the teaching of any political topic.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance and will be available online. Safeguarding leaders have completed enhanced-level safeguarding training. They have a thorough understanding of their duties and are likely to carry them out with rigour. They demonstrate a secure understanding of how to create a strong safeguarding culture when the school opens.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school’s behaviour and bullying policies are likely to be suitable. Leaders have prepared a suitable log for recording any incidents of serious misbehaviour and the sanctions imposed as a result.  The proposed school’s first-aid policy is likely to be implemented well. There are many trained first-aiders, and leaders are in the process of recruiting a full-time nurse. A bespoke medical suite has been built for the treatment of sick and injured pupils. Leaders’ processes for logging accidents, providing first aid and managing medication are likely to be appropriate.  An external fire risk assessment report confirms that the proposed school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 once all actions are completed fully by September 2023. Annual checks on extinguishers, fire alarms and emergency lighting systems are all up to date. Leaders are likely to ensure that all the

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Main inspection findings

required fire safety checks will be completed and logged in a timely way.  Plans to supervise pupils are likely to be appropriate. Proposed class sizes will be up to 22 pupils, and there are suitable systems in place to ensure that pupils are supervised well before and after school, and during breaktimes and lunchtimes.  The admission register template, and online attendance system, are likely to be suitable in ensuring compliance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  When implemented, the proposed school’s health and safety and risk assessment policies are likely to be suitable for maintaining the premises and reducing identified risks. Leaders’ approach to risk assessment of the premises, local outings and residential journeys, and visiting speakers is thorough.  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

All paragraphs  Leaders have a thorough understanding of all the required vetting checks. They are likely to ensure that these checks are undertaken at the right time and recorded accurately on a suitable single central record of pre-employment checks.  The proposed school’s robust safer recruitment process is likely to be compliant with statutory safeguarding guidance.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The proposed school comprises several buildings on an extensive site that backs onto Wimbledon Common.  There are 17 classrooms. These include specialist teaching rooms for science, art and design, music, drama and design and technology. There are two large playgrounds, a fitness gym, a dining hall and various additional smaller spaces for music tuition and one-to-one teaching.  The premises are maintained to an excellent standard.

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Main inspection findings

 There are suitable toilet, washing, shower and changing facilities. There is a fully equipped medical suite.  The lighting, acoustics, hot water and drinking-water requirements are all likely to be met.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  Leaders have prepared, and intend to publish, all the required policies and information on the proposed school’s website, including a prospectus.  The termly and annual report templates for parents include detailed information about pupils’ progress and attainment in every subject taught.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The proposed school’s complaints policy sets out in helpful detail how the proprietor and leaders intend to deal with complaints on both an informal and formal basis.  The formal complaints log template includes the stage of resolution and any action

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Main inspection findings

taken as a result.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Proprietors and leaders have a secure working knowledge and understanding of the standards. They demonstrate an impressive level of attention to detail. They have thoroughly planned to open this fifth school in the Thomas’s group.  Proprietors and leaders’ plans for leadership, management and governance are likely to ensure that all the standards are met consistently. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school’s 2023–2026 accessibility plan includes suitable actions to improve accessibility to the premises, curriculum and written information.  This requirement is likely to be met.

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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

Headteacher Therese Andrews and Emma Oliver (Co-Headteachers)

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £24,240 to £26,928

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 13 to 16 13 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 200 200

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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 200

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable Not applicable Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable Up to 50

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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 5

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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 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 23

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 15

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Information about this proposed school

 Proprietors seek to register Thomas’s Putney Vale as an independent senior day school in the London Borough of Wandsworth from September 2023.  Leaders do not intend to make any use of alternative provision or other premises.  The proprietors run four other schools: Thomas’s Clapham; Thomas’s Fulham; Thomas’s Kensington; and Thomas’s Battersea. These are all inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. The proprietors also run Thomas’s Kindergarten, which is a registered early years setting inspected by Ofsted.  The proposed Thomas’s Putney Vale premises are currently being used by Thomas’s Battersea. From September 2023, they will be used exclusively by the proposed school.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to assess whether the proposed school is likely to meet all of the standards if registered as an independent school.  This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted with six days of notice because it took place during the Easter holidays.  The inspector met with the proposed school’s co-headteacher, compliance manager, director of operations and safeguarding governor. He also met with the designated safeguarding lead remotely and spoke by phone with the chair of the proprietor body.  The inspector toured the premises and considered a range of evidence to check the likelihood of the proposed school meeting the standards and associated requirements.

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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

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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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