Raise Education and Wellbeing School

Raise Education and Wellbeing School 54-56 Holmeswood Road, Great Lever, Bolton BL3 3HS

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(h)  The proprietor body has an appropriate curriculum policy. This demonstrates that a sufficiently broad range of subjects are available for pupils to study. The curriculum policy clearly outlines a flexible and personalised education for each pupil, including those pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHC plan).  The curriculum policy is supported by schemes of work for each subject. The schemes of work and curriculum design are suitably thorough. Leaders take account of the age of pupils and have thought carefully about what they want them to learn during their time at the school. The curriculum provides the opportunity for pupils to learn and make progress. The curriculum design considers the specific and individual needs of pupils, all of whom are pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Main inspection findings

 There is suitable importance placed on speaking and listening, reading, writing and mathematics in the curriculum. Additionally, there is an emphasis on pupils studying subjects such as science, information and communication technology, and history and geography. Subjects also include art and design and physical education. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(h)  The proprietor body is committed to providing a good-quality education for pupils. The leadership team has sufficient knowledge, skills and experience to guide and support teaching staff. There is a range of training offered to staff to develop their subject knowledge and teaching practice. The education offered to pupils enables them to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their abilities.  Short-term planning is in place. The inspector’s scrutiny of these plans, as well as looking at pupils’ books and visiting lessons, indicated that teachers appropriately

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Main inspection findings

match their subject teaching methods to the needs of pupils. They also have regard for the most appropriate management of class time.  Lesson visits demonstrated that staff know pupils well. They have appropriate strategies in place to manage pupils’ behaviour, as well as to motivate and encourage pupils to have a positive attitude towards their learning.  The school meets the independent school standards (the standards) relevant to the wider issues raised by the complaint.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards that the Department for Education (DfE) requested to be checked in this part are met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(b), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii)  Documentary evidence confirms that pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development is a thread that runs throughout the curriculum. Pupils’ SMSC development is central to the school’s aims, policies and enrichment activities.

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Main inspection findings

 The curriculum offers pupils formal and informal opportunities to learn about right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England. The curriculum also offers pupils opportunities to show initiative and contribute positively to school life, as well as to the local community. For example, enrichment activities encourage pupils to become involved in charity work and local community events, such as supporting food banks and working with the homeless.  The school meets the standard relevant to the wider issues raised by the complaint.  Leaders have ensured that the standard that the DfE requested to be checked in this part is met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The proprietor body has paid attention to the most up-to-date statutory guidance for safeguarding pupils. A suitable and up-to-date safeguarding policy is in place. The

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Main inspection findings

policy is published on the school’s website. Leaders have made all the necessary arrangements to keep pupils safe and to promote their welfare at the school.  Several members of staff are trained as designated safeguarding leads (DSLs). All staff receive appropriate induction, safeguarding training and regular updates on areas such as radicalisation and extremism, child sexual exploitation, the sharing of inappropriate images on social media and e-safety.  When required, the DSLs liaise closely with external agencies. Records in regard to safeguarding and welfare are up to date, thorough and appropriately kept. Paragraph 9, 9(a)–9(c)  The proprietor body has a detailed and suitable behaviour and exclusion policy in place. Any incidents of poor behaviour are recorded and include any required follow- up actions. Leaders cross-reference these with any other concerns so that they can gain a full picture of an individual pupil and respond quickly to any additional needs

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Main inspection findings

that arise. The policy includes appropriate and proportionate sanctions. Paragraphs 11, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor body has a written health and safety policy which is tailored to the premises of the school. It complies with all the relevant legislation. The proprietor body has appropriate systems in place to closely monitor all aspects of health and safety in school, including daily checks of the external grounds, security systems and general good repair of the school building.  A written risk assessment policy is in place. A comprehensive range of risk assessments show that leaders take well-considered actions to minimise any risks to pupils. This includes risk assessments for the school buildings, travelling between sites and trips and activities. Risk assessments for individual pupils are appropriately detailed. Paragraph 14  Pupils are always supervised. This includes at breaktimes, when pupils are arriving at

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Main inspection findings

school and when they are leaving the school premises. As and when required, pupils always have two members of staff with them. Paragraph 15  Leaders have appropriate systems in place to register pupils’ attendance and to allow them to monitor any pupils’ absences effectively. Leaders report on attendance on a regular basis through the governance arrangements at the school. Additionally, they have a clear procedure for dealing with any pupils that abscond from school. Incidents are rare, but when they do occur, procedures are followed assiduously and are well documented.  The proprietor body has a suitable admissions policy for the school. Systems are in place to ensure that records of admissions adhere to the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006.  The school meets the standards relevant to the wider issues raised by the complaint.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards that the DfE requested to be checked in

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Main inspection findings

this part are met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)–18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2)–19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b)– 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)–20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b)–20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1)– 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5)–21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7)–21(7)(b)  The single central record (SCR) is in place and it contains all the required information.  Records relating to the proprietor body are included on the school’s SCR. All the suitability checks, including those relating to the leadership and management of the school, have also been carried out.  The proprietor body and school leaders have completed appropriate safer recruitment training to support the appointment of suitable staff to work in a school. Induction documentation for new staff makes it clear that they undergo a full suite of safeguarding and related training upon appointment and throughout their careers at

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Main inspection findings

the school.  Leaders occasionally employ agency staff but do not have volunteers in school. However, if ever they did, they are clear about the procedures that they should follow to ensure that these staff are suitable to work with pupils.  The school meets the standards relevant to the wider issues raised by the complaint.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards that the DfE requested to be checked in this part are met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  Raise Education and Wellbeing School is made up of three sites. The complaint that has prompted this inspection is centred around the main school building. This building is housed in a block of former commercial units. On the second floor, there are flats that are now not in use.  The accommodation throughout is of an appropriate standard and meets all requirements for the health, safety and welfare of pupils. Teaching rooms are

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Main inspection findings

uncluttered and conducive to teaching and learning. Access through main doorways and gates is via keypads and coded locks. There are appropriate security systems in place at the entrance to the school. Pupils cannot leave the building unless accompanied by an adult. The outside space is clean and checked daily for rubbish or debris.  The school meets the standard relevant to the wider issues raised by the complaint.  Leaders have ensured that the standard that the DfE requested to be checked in this part is met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  Leaders and the proprietor body have ensured that the school meets all of the standards that were covered in the scope of this inspection. It is evident that the promotion of pupils’ safeguarding and well-being is paramount.  Leaders, the proprietor body and the governing body are conscientious in their responsibilities to ensure that the standards are met. They have instigated a cycle of

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Main inspection findings

regular monitoring. They have taken the opportunity to review and revise key documents and policies when they identify any potential weaknesses. For example, leaders, the proprietor body and the governing body have added safeguarding updates to key documentation and they have reviewed risk assessments regularly.  There is a thorough system in place for the governing body to quality assure the work of the school through visits, the scrutiny of documentation and through improvement meetings. It holds school leaders to account, offering them both support and challenge.  Leaders demonstrate an appropriate level of expertise in running this independent school successfully. They have experience, and a commitment to, providing an appropriate quality of education for pupils.  The school meets the standard relevant to the wider issues raised by the complaint.  Leaders have ensured that the standard that the DfE requested to be checked in this

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Main inspection findings

part is met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor body has ensured that there is a suitable accessibility plan that meets the requirements of paragraph 3 of schedule 10 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. 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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £20,475 to £90,909

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School details

Website raise-educationandwellbeing.co.uk

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School details

Email address jasonCEO@raisetheyouth.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 2 to 4 November 2021

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Information about this school

 The previous standard inspection was carried out on 2 to 4 November 2021.  Since the previous inspection, there have been some changes in leadership. This includes the chair of the proprietor body, who has become the principal of the school.  The school operates on three sites. The main school site is located at 54-56 Holmeswood Road, Great Lever, Bolton, BL3 3HS. The second site is Century House, 49-51 George Street, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 9RJ. The third site is Skills Centre, Units 53 & 62, Manchester Road, Bolton, BL3 2NZ.  At the time of the inspection, the chair of the proprietor body was in the process of writing to the DfE to enquire if the addition of a third school site should be subject to a material change inspection.  The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Over half of the pupils have an EHC plan.  The school does not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was commissioned by the DfE following a complaint.  This inspection was conducted without notice.  The DfE requested that the inspector report on the standards in respect of the quality of education, behaviour, safeguarding and the welfare, health and safety of pupils and leadership and management.  The inspector met with the principal, who was also the chair of the proprietor body. She also met with the deputy principal and the assistant principals, one of whom was the DSL.  The inspector spoke to the person responsible for maintaining safeguarding, attendance and admissions records.  The inspector also met with the chair of governors. She spoke on the telephone with a representative of the local authority.  The inspector made a tour of all three school sites to check welfare and supervision arrangements. She also reviewed a wide range of documents and policies relating to

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Information about this inspection

the curriculum, behaviour, welfare and health and safety.  A scrutiny of the school’s safeguarding procedures, including recruitment processes and the pre-employment checks carried out on staff, was also completed.

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Inspection team

Sue Eastwood, 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

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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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