Maple Grove School

School material change inspection report

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Maple Grove School Clare Avenue, Chester CH2 3HR

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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)(ii), 2(2)–2(2)(e)(iii)  The proprietor body has put in place an appropriate curriculum policy which sets out a sufficiently broad range of subjects for pupils to study, including students in key stage 5. This policy explains leaders’ aims for the curriculum. For example, the policy sets out how the curriculum will contribute to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) education. It explains how pupils, and students in the proposed sixth form, will be supported to develop strong communication skills in readiness for future life.  The curriculum policy is supported by schemes of work for each subject. These schemes of work reflect leaders’ ambitious intent for what pupils should learn during their time in the school. Leaders have developed their schemes of work so that they meet the needs of pupils and students aged from five to 18. This means that the

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Main inspection findings

curriculum will meet the needs of students in key stage 5 should the proposed material change be granted.  Leaders have given due consideration to the order in which students in key stage 5 will learn essential knowledge so that this knowledge builds up securely. Leaders have also ensured that the curriculum takes account of the specific and individual needs of students in the sixth form, all of whom will have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  Students will have access to a range of academic and vocational qualifications according to their abilities, interests and needs. Leaders have ensured that the range of qualifications that they offer reflects the wider age range of pupils that the school will admit should the material change be granted.  Leaders have placed appropriate importance on the teaching of reading, writing, speaking and listening and mathematics for all pupils. Pupils also study subjects such

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Main inspection findings

as science, digital skills, art and design and physical education (PE).  Leaders intend that should the material change be granted, students in key stage 5 will study subjects such as employability skills, digital skills and PE, in addition to English and mathematics. The curriculum in these subjects has been designed to develop students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes in readiness for future education and employment. Sixth-from students will access some of this learning in a local college.  There is a scheme of work for pupils’ personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. There is an emphasis on the development of pupils’ skills for future life, for example managing personal finances and learning to cook. The topics covered in PSHE are extensive. These include topics which encourage pupils to recognise and respect difference and diversity. The PSHE scheme has been suitably adapted for

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Main inspection findings

sixth-form students.  Leaders have put in place a policy and scheme of work for careers education in line with the Gatsby benchmarks. Leaders offer pupils impartial careers information, advice and guidance. This is tailored to the individual needs and interests of pupils and students in the sixth form should the proposed material change be approved. Paragraph 2A(1), 2A(1)(a)–(b), 2A(1)(d)–2A(3)  The PSHE curriculum provides pupils with relationships and sex education (RSE). Leaders’ policy complies with the relevant statutory guidance and has been developed in consultation with parents and carers. Age-appropriate RSE will be continued into the sixth form should the proposed material change be approved. Paragraph 3(a)–3(g)  Staff receive advice and guidance to help them to deliver the curriculum well. Leaders have ensured that staff who will be required to teach the curriculum in key stage 5 have the necessary knowledge and skills to do so should the material change be

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Main inspection findings

granted.  Teachers carry out assessments to establish pupils’ starting points when pupils join the proposed school. They check pupils’ progress and attainment regularly. Leaders have secure systems in place to check students’ progress and achievement in the sixth form should the material change be approved. The findings from these assessments are used to inform the teaching that pupils receive. They will also be appropriately used to adapt the delivery of the curriculum for students in the proposed sixth form.  Pupils benefit from an appropriate quantity and range of resources, such as stationery and textbooks. These resources are of good quality. Suitable resources have been purchased to support the learning of students in the sixth form. Paragraph 3(h)–3(j)  There is an appropriate policy in place setting out leaders’ expectations for pupils’ behaviour. There is a focus on supporting pupils to manage their own behaviour in

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Main inspection findings

readiness for future life. The policy states that bullying will not be tolerated in the school. The policy provides information about how leaders and staff promote responsible behaviour in the school. The policy sets out leaders’ strategies for dealing with inappropriate behaviour, including bullying. These policies are appropriate for students in the sixth form should the material change be granted. Paragraph 4  Leaders have a suitable assessment policy in place, including for students in the sixth form.  Pupils’ progress is shared regularly with parents and those responsible for governance. Leaders have thought carefully about how they will share the progress of students in the sixth form should the proposed material change be granted.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is granted. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 5  Leaders have given appropriate consideration to pupils’ SMSC development, including in the proposed sixth form. Through the curriculums for religious studies and PSHE, pupils learn about a range of faiths and cultures. This will continue into the proposed sixth form. Pupils learn about fundamental British values such as the rule of law and individual liberty. Leaders provide pupils with plentiful opportunities for trips and visits to places of interest. They have thought carefully about the opportunities that will be offered to pupils in the sixth form. For example, students will take part in residential visits to outdoor education centres. These opportunities will support students’ social development as well as their learning.  Leaders intend that should the material change be granted, students over the age of 16 will undertake some learning in a local college on a weekly basis. This is likely to

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Main inspection findings

help students prepare for college life in the future.  Students in the sixth form will have opportunities to contribute to their local community. For example, leaders intend that students will help to organise and run a summer fair to which the community is invited. Students will participate in local arts competitions and raise funds for various causes. These experiences will support students’ understanding of the community beyond their school and help them to consider the needs of others.  The school’s policies and curriculum include positive references to all of the protected characteristics, as set out in legislation. Leaders understand the need to ensure that students in the proposed sixth form will benefit from a balance of opposing views when they learn about politics.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the proposed material change is granted. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor body has followed current statutory guidance in the development of their arrangements to keep pupils, and students in the proposed sixth form, safe. There is a suitable and up-to-date safeguarding policy in place. This policy is published on the school’s website and is likely to remain suitable should leaders’ proposed material change be granted. Leaders have put in place all necessary arrangements to safeguard pupils and to promote their welfare at the proposed school.  The proprietor body has ensured that all staff receive regular safeguarding training. Those with responsibilities for leading safeguarding have been trained to the required level.  All new staff receive an appropriate induction programme, safeguarding training and regular updates on areas such as radicalisation and extremism and e-safety.  The standard in this part is likely to be met should the material change be granted.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body has an appropriate knowledge of the standards. Members of the proprietor body work closely with the school’s governing body to hold leaders fully to account. This helps to ensure that the standards are met consistently. The proprietor body, and senior leaders, have thought and planned carefully for the proposed change to the age range of pupils that the school will admit.  The proprietor body has ensured that all standards checked during this inspection are likely to be met if the proposed increase to add a key stage 5 provision is granted.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is granted. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have an appropriate accessibility policy in place which ensures that paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 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 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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Acorn Care and Education Limited

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £61,740 to £86,830

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 30 November to 2 December 2021

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 16 5 to 18 5 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 51 51 51

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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 51 51

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 51 51

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 51 51

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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 51 51

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 38 38

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff As required No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 14 15

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Information about this school

 The school operates from premises at Clare Avenue, Chester, CH2 3HR and provides education for pupils aged five to 16. All pupils have SEND, including autism and social communication difficulties.  The school’s previous standard inspection was in November 2021. In August 2022, the school received a material change inspection.  Since the last inspection, a new chair has been appointed to the proprietor body.  At the time of this inspection, leaders did not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor body requested a change to the age range of pupils that the school admits.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other leaders to discuss the curriculum for pupils. The inspector scrutinised a range of policies and documents relating to the curriculum and visited a lesson.  The inspector met remotely with the chair of the proprietor body and with the regional director. She spoke on the telephone with a representative of the local authority.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documents and policies in order to understand leaders’ work to keep pupils safe. This included the safeguarding policy and the single central record.

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Inspection team

Mavis Smith, 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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