Maypole School (Leigham Court)

School pre-registration inspection report

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Maypole School (Leigham Court) 76 Leigham Court Road, Streatham, London SW16 2QA

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have developed suitable curriculum and assessment policies, which consider the needs of pupils with education, health and care plans (EHC plan) for their social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and other special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  The proposed curriculum plans for pupils of compulsory school age cover the full national curriculum. All the required areas of learning are included for pupils aged five to 16. The plans are likely to take into account pupils’ different ages, interests and abilities. Some pupils of secondary age, depending on their specific needs, will be taught in the community, rather than at the proposed school’s site. All provision will be full time.  For students aged 16 to 19, leaders intend to provide a bespoke curriculum offer. This will include a curriculum that focuses on developing students’ functional and

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Main inspection findings

independent living skills, as well as preparing them for the world of work. Students may choose to study a supported vocational college course.  The planned programme for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is likely to be suitable. It focuses on re-engaging pupils in education and on developing their social and communication skills. The curriculum includes coverage of fundamental British values and equality.  Leaders have a clear plan to commission an external careers service to provide pupils of secondary age with access to regular impartial and up-to-date careers information, advice and guidance. This will complement the careers education lessons and events planned as part of the PSHE education curriculum.  The proposed school’s relationships and sex education (RSE) programme covers all the required areas of statutory guidance. Leaders plan to consult with parents and carers by sharing their draft RSE policy when the school opens. The policy provides

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Main inspection findings

clear guidance to parents about how to withdraw their children from sex education should they wish to.  The proposed school is likely to be suitably resourced. Leaders’ arrangements to recruit and train teachers and teaching assistants, and ensure a consistent quality of education, are likely to be suitable.  Leaders have ensured that 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  The PSHE education and citizenship curriculums include suitable coverage of British values, the diversity of modern society and being a good citizen. Pupils will be taught about and encouraged to live healthy lives and to respect differences, including in relation to all the protected characteristics. The planned programme of events, including celebrating diversity, is likely to ensure that pupils are taught about a range

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Main inspection findings

of religions, faiths and cultures. The curriculum will be complemented by a programme of assemblies, trips, visitors and enrichment activities.  Leaders are in the process of finalising the proposed school’s staff code of conduct to make it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan views and that balanced points of view must always be presented in the teaching of any political topic.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  Leaders understand the importance of establishing a strong safeguarding culture in this special school when it opens. The proposed school’s safeguarding policy reflects the incoming ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (2023) statutory guidance and is available online. Leaders who will have responsibility for safeguarding are clear about their safeguarding duties. They have recently completed suitable safeguarding and

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Main inspection findings

safer recruitment training.  The proposed school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies have been appropriately tailored to consider the complex needs of pupils with SEMH needs. Leaders have purchased a suitable system to log incidents of serious misbehaviour, bullying and any actions taken, including sanctions imposed.  Arrangements for the provision of first aid are likely to meet the standard. There are two trained first aiders, and more staff will be trained when the school opens. The processes for documenting accidents, providing first aid and managing medication are all likely to be suitable.  The supervision of pupils is likely to be suitable. All pupils will receive a high level of support, many as much as one-to-one support.  The admission register template is likely to be suitable, as is the online system to record pupils’ attendance.  The proposed school’s policies for risk assessment and safety, health, environment

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Main inspection findings

and fire are likely to meet the required aspects of health and safety, and in mitigating risk. Appropriate risk assessments have been completed for the premises and regular outings, including to local leisure centre facilities. Leaders have thought carefully about how they will assess the risks relating to teaching students in the community.  The proposed school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The many actions identified in a recent external fire risk assessment have been completed in full. All the checks are likely to be completed and logged in line with the requirements.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The proposed school’s safer recruitment process is likely to be suitable, as it reflects the requirements outlined in statutory guidance. The single central record of vetting

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Main inspection findings

checks is likely to meet these requirements too, including for agency staff.  The required checks on some members of the proprietor body continue to be in process.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The proposed school will be located in a former health centre. Leaders have invested heavily in the premises. They are likely to be kept clean and well maintained.  The premises include several multi-use classrooms, a kitchen for the teaching of food technology and a large outdoor area for recreation and physical education (PE) for younger pupils.  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities.  Though there is a suitable changing and shower facility, leaders plan to use a local leisure centre, which includes such facilities, for teaching PE to older pupils.  The acoustics, lighting, hot water and drinking-water supplies are all likely to be

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Main inspection findings

suitable.  There is an appropriately located medical room in the adjacent therapy and administration building, next to a toilet facility. The room’s required washing facility is in the process of being installed.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  Leaders have designed an accessible website which includes all the required policies and information, including a prospectus and contact details for the proprietor and governors.  The proposed school’s annual report template for parents is likely to be suitable. It includes detailed information about pupils’ progress and attainment in all subjects.  Leaders understand their duty to provide funding authorities with annual statements of income and expenditure for pupils with EHC plans.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school’s complaints policy sets out, with clear and realistic timescales, how leaders intend to deal with complaints, both informally and formally. The complaints log includes the stage of resolution and any action taken following the management of formal complaints.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  The proprietor and leaders have a secure working knowledge of the standards and other requirements.  The proprietor is committed to drawing on the expertise of an external governing body to ensure that leaders are held to account, including ensuring that the proposed school meets all the standards consistently when it opens.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders’ accessibility plan includes the proposed school’s plans to increase accessibility

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Main inspection findings

to the premises, curriculum and written information over time.  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

Type of school Other independent special school

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Proprietor Maypole Therapeutic Education Ltd

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Proposed school details

Headteacher Kitty Clark (Executive Headteacher)

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £57,000 to £90,000

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Proposed school details

Email address ebarnes@maypoleschool.co.uk

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 5 to 19 5 to 19 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 65 40

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  Though the proposed school’s capacity is likely to be higher over time, leaders’ staffing plans are likely to be suitable for supporting up to a maximum of 40 pupils during its first year of operation.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time Not applicable Up to 65 pupils of compulsory school age Number of part-time pupils Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

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 All pupils

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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 All pupils

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 50

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Information about this proposed school

 Maypole School (Leigham Court) intends to register as an independent special day school in Lambeth.  Leaders intend to open the school in September 2023 to pupils with EHC plans for their SEMH and other SEND needs.  The proprietor is in the process of also opening another independent special day school, Maypole School (Sunbury-on-Thames).  Leaders may make use of alternative provision, such as further education colleges for older pupils and sixth-form students.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The inspector met with a group of senior leaders, including the proposed school’s executive headteacher and 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 all the standards.

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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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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