Burlington House School Tooting

School pre-registration inspection report

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Burlington House School, Tooting 3 Garrads Road, London SW16 1JZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have developed suitable curriculum and assessment policies and processes which consider the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including those with education, health and care plans (EHC plans).  The proposed curriculum plans cover all the subjects of the national curriculum for pupils aged 11 to 14. Leaders plan to offer a range of qualifications to pupils aged 14 to 16 as the school grows. All the required areas of learning are covered. However, curriculum plans are inconsistent. Some are detailed; they demonstrate thoughtfully and logically what leaders want pupils to learn in the subject from age 11 through to 16. In other subjects, leaders were unable to show anything more than a grid of termly topics which do not consider pupils’ ages, aptitudes and needs, or show how teaching in the subject will enable pupils to learn and make progress.

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Main inspection findings

 The planned programme for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is likely to be suitable. All pupils will receive a weekly lesson on the subject. This will focus on developing pupils’ understanding of fundamental British values, equality and how to live safely, healthily and productively. The proposed curriculum has been thoroughly planned and will be complemented by a taught citizenship programme.  In addition to organising a range of careers visits, events and experiences, leaders are in the process of commissioning an external careers service. This is likely to ensure that pupils access the required regular, impartial and up-to-date careers information, advice and guidance.  Leaders plan to consult with parents and carers about the school’s proposed relationships and sex education programme when the school opens. The draft policy covers all the statutory guidance, and all the required curriculum content has been

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Main inspection findings

planned to be covered in PSHE education. The policy provides clear guidance to parents about the possibility of withdrawing their children from sex education should they wish to.  Leaders’ plans to recruit and train specialist teachers, and to ensure and maintain a consistent quality of education, are likely to be effective. The proposed school is likely to be well resourced.  Leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  Pupils are likely to be well supported to develop their social, physical and communication skills, including through the provision of speech and language, and occupational, therapies. Through assemblies, PSHE education and twice-weekly enrichment sessions, pupils will learn about physical and mental well-being, healthy relationships and British values. They will be encouraged to respect differences,

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Main inspection findings

including in relation to the full range of protected characteristics. Pupils will be taught about a range of religions, faiths and cultures through a discrete religious education programme.  The proposed school’s code of conduct makes it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan political views. Teachers are likely to be trained 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. It will be made available online. All leaders and staff will be suitably trained in advance of the school opening. Leaders are aware of, and committed to, their legal duties. They demonstrate a strong understanding of the importance of creating and maintaining a strong safeguarding culture when the school opens. The school’s online system for

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Main inspection findings

tracking concerns and actions taken is likely to be used effectively.  The proposed school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to be implemented well. They have been created with the needs of pupils with SEND in mind. Leaders will use their online system for the recording of incidents of serious misbehaviour and any sanctions imposed as a result.  The proposed school’s health and safety policy is likely to be suitable in ensuring the efficient maintenance of the premises. However, the arrangements for fire safety are not likely to be acceptable. The latest external fire risk assessment report suggests that the current school premises are not compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Many concerns and actions with various timescales are listed in the report. Leaders were unable to produce the required evidence to confirm what has or has not been completed to remedy the concerns. Logs, certificates and records

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Main inspection findings

related to fire safety are disorganised. They were either unavailable or incomplete. The fire alarm testing log shows that these checks are carried out far less regularly than weekly. There was no evidence of monthly emergency lighting checks. There were no certificates for the required annual checks on the alarm system, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers. It is unknown if the emergency lighting deficiencies have been resolved. Portable appliance testing is not carried out annually, despite the use of portable heaters being highlighted as a risk in the external risk assessment. Leaders have not prepared suitable and reliable systems to ensure the proposed school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  Leaders have written a suitable first-aid policy. Some existing and newly appointed staff are first-aid trained and more training is booked. Leaders have put in place

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Main inspection findings

suitable processes for documenting accidents and managing pupil medication.  Plans to supervise pupils are likely to be appropriate. Class sizes will be up to 10 pupils, supported by two adults.  Admission and attendance registers will be kept using the proposed school’s online system. They include all the required information and so are likely to be suitable.  Leaders have written a suitable risk assessment policy. Leaders have prepared suitable templates for the risk assessment of the premises, visitors and educational visits.  One of the standards in this part is not likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  All the required vetting checks, including for agency staff and volunteers, are understood and are likely to be carried out and recorded and dated accurately on the single central record (SCR).  The proposed school’s safer recruitment process reflects statutory safeguarding

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Main inspection findings

guidance.  The checks for the chair of the proposed proprietor body were added to the SCR during the inspection.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The proposed school will occupy its own premises overlooking Tooting Common. The buildings are currently occupied by an independent mainstream senior school.  The premises include nine classrooms, large and suitable outdoor spaces for physical education and recreation and a library. There are some specialist classrooms, including for the teaching of science, art and design and technology.  There are suitable toilet, washing, changing, shower and drinking-water facilities. Hot water supplies are safely regulated.  The proposed medical room facility consists of a fold-up bed located in a small room primarily used for adult visitors to wash their hands after using the allocated toilet

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Main inspection findings

facility. Medical supplies are locked beneath the sink. There is too little room for the medical examination and treatment of pupils. It is not likely to be a comfortable, practical or suitable medical room facility.  Other than the fire safety concerns, the premises are in a good state of repair. They are likely to be kept clean and well maintained.  Some of the standards in this part are not likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  Leaders will ensure that all the required policies and information are made available on an accessible website. This includes information about the proprietor, curriculum, examination performance and formal complaints.  The termly progress and attainment report templates for parents are likely to be suitable.  Leaders have prepared a suitable template to provide funding authorities with annual statements of income and expenditure for pupils with EHC plans.

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Main inspection findings

 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 is likely to be implemented well. It sets out clearly how leaders intend to manage complaints informally and formally.  The formal complaints log includes the stage of resolution and any action 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  The proprietor and leaders have not paid enough attention to detail in planning the opening of this proposed special school. Some information was not readily available, and some work had to be completed during the inspection, for example in ensuring all the required policies were available. The proposed school’s leaders had not checked the current fire safety arrangements at the proposed premises before the inspection.

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Main inspection findings

 It is not likely that all the standards will be met if this school is registered. Some of the standards in this part (34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)) are not likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school’s accessibility plan is likely to meet this requirement overall. However, leaders acknowledge the plan would benefit from greater detail in the areas of access to the curriculum and written information.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 100 100

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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 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable None Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable All pupils

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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 100

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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 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 8

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 12

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Information about this proposed school

 Burlington House School, Tooting, is seeking to register as an independent special day school in the London Borough of Lambeth.  The school’s intended opening date is uncertain but likely to be in spring 2024. This is because the proposed premises are currently being used by another school. The date on which this other school is due to vacate the premises has been delayed and is under review.  Placements at the proposed school will predominantly be for pupils with EHC plans for a range of SEND.  Leaders do not intend to make any use of alternative provision.  The proposed school’s proprietor runs a number of other special schools.

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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 independent school standards if registered as an independent school.  This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted with notice. It was announced on Thursday 25 May 2023 and took place during the May half-term break on Tuesday 30 May 2023.  The inspector met with the proposed school’s headteacher, principal and compliance director. He also met with the managing director, who is a member of the school’s proprietor body.  The inspector toured the premises and considered a range of evidence to check the likelihood of the proposed school meeting the independent school standards and associated requirements.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if-

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 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

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work-

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are-

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including-

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils;

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).

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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-

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently;

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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