Expanse Learning Wigan School

School material change inspection report

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Expanse Learning Wigan School Tyrer Avenue, Worsley Mesnes, Wigan, Greater Manchester WN3 5XE

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The proprietor body has put in place a suitable safeguarding policy that has regard to the appropriate statutory guidance. This policy is published on the school’s website. During the inspection, leaders provided evidence of their procedures for staff to report any safeguarding concerns. These systems were found to be secure. Leaders’ safeguarding procedures are likely to remain suitable if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted.  All staff receive regular safeguarding training. This helps staff to remain knowledgeable about the risks that pupils may face, such as abuse or neglect. Leaders check that staff understand the procedures to follow if they have any safeguarding concerns. These checks are likely to ensure that staff continue to recognise and respond to any concerns about pupils’ safety or welfare if the material

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Main inspection findings

change is approved.  Leaders carry out appropriate checks to ensure the suitability of staff appointed to work at the school. Leaders’ processes to ensure that staff are suitable to work with pupils are likely to remain suitable should the material change be agreed. Paragraph 11  Leaders have put in place a suitable health and safety policy, which covers all the required elements. For example, leaders have arranged regular checks on the safety of electrical equipment and the storage of substances hazardous to health. This policy will likely remain appropriate if the material change is approved. Paragraph 12  Leaders ensure that emergency lighting checks, fire alarm tests and fire drills take place regularly. During the tour of the school, it was clear that appropriate fire safety equipment is available and that it is well maintained. Fire escapes are clearly identified and are not obstructed. The proprietor body ensures that required checks on the fire

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Main inspection findings

alarm and fire safety equipment are carried out by a competent person. These checks are likely to ensure that this independent school standard (the standard) will remain met if the material change is approved.  Leaders provided evidence during the inspection to show that they understand and are compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. These appropriate arrangements are likely to remain met if the proposed increase in pupil numbers is granted. Paragraph 14  Leaders have taken care to ensure that staff are appropriately deployed in order to assure themselves of pupils’ welfare and safety. Leaders have appointed a number of additional staff. They continue to recruit more staff as required in order to meet pupils’ individual needs. These actions are likely to ensure the suitable supervision of pupils if the increase in pupil numbers is approved. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor body has ensured that an effective risk assessment policy is in place.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders have completed suitable risk assessments. For example, they have carried out risk assessments for when pupils use the range of equipment and tools in the school’s construction and horticulture learning areas. Leaders carry out additional risk assessments for when pupils travel off site for educational visits, including to alternative providers. The risk assessment policy and associated risk assessments are likely to remain appropriate should the material change be granted.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is granted. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3)  Leaders ensure that they complete the required checks on new staff before they start working at the school. These checks are likely to continue if the material change is approved.  The proprietor body ensures that all appropriate pre-employment checks are suitably

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Main inspection findings

recorded on the single central record and that this record is checked regularly to ensure that it is up to date. Consequently, it is likely that these standards will remain met if the increase in pupil numbers is granted. Paragraph 19(2)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3)  Leaders make occasional use of supply staff. They ensure that the required checks are in place before supply staff work at the school. This is likely to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraphs 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(7)(b)  Checks under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 are in place. These ensure that leaders, including members of the proprietor body, are suitable to manage a school. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools  The current school building is spacious and well organised. It will adequately support

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Main inspection findings

the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The building is suitable for the age and special educational needs and/or disabilities of the pupils who may attend the school. Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c)  There are adequate toilet facilities for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Hot and cold water is available for handwashing. Leaders have ensured that the hot water does not pose a scalding risk. These facilities are for the sole use of pupils. To ensure privacy, cubicles can be locked from the inside. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved.  There are separate toilet facilities for staff and visitors. Suitable accessible toilets are also provided. These are available for use by pupils, staff and visitors. All toilet facilities have an appropriate sink that is suitable for handwashing. These facilities are likely to remain appropriate if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have provided suitable showering facilities for pupils. These facilities will remain appropriate if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b)  The medical room is appropriately equipped with a bed and a sink with hot and cold water. The room contains a dedicated toilet and a shower. Therefore, this room is suitable for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils, and is likely to remain so should the material change be granted. Paragraph 25  Leaders have ensured that the school premises, both indoors and outdoors, are maintained to a high standard. Regular checks on the premises are completed by staff. Any identified issues are quickly and appropriately addressed. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraph 26  Leaders have ensured that all areas of the school provide suitable acoustic conditions,

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Main inspection findings

which are conducive to learning. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraph 27, 27(a), 27(b)  All areas of the school, including classrooms, have suitable lighting. Leaders maintain appropriate lighting outdoors so that visitors, staff and pupils can enter and exit the building safely. This is likely to remain the case if the material change is approved. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Sources of drinking-water are clearly labelled. Pupils have access to drinking-water throughout the school day. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The proprietor body has ensured that pupils have ample outside space. This is suitable for pupils to play and to socialise safely and to participate in physical education. This space will be appropriate if the proposed increase in pupil numbers is

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Main inspection findings

accepted.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is granted. 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 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 increase in pupil numbers.  The proprietor body has ensured that all standards checked during this inspection are likely to be met if the proposed increase in pupil numbers 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 schedule

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Main inspection findings

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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Email address ed.hanley@expansegroup.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 1 to 3 March 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 45 60 60

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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 45 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 45 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 30 60

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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 30 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 8

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff None None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 21 21

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Information about this school

 The school operates from premises at Tyrer Avenue, Worsley Mesnes, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN3 5XE.  Most pupils at the school have autism. Some pupils have additional learning difficulties. The majority of pupils at the school have an education, health and care plan.  The school uses two alternative providers, one of which is unregistered.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor body requested an increase in pupil numbers.  The last full standard inspection took place on 1 to 3 March 2022.  The inspector toured the premises and checked the suitability of the premises against the relevant standards.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other leaders during the inspection. She met with members of the proprietor body.  The inspector spoke on the telephone with a representative of the local authority.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector: reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.

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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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