Rosslyn School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Rosslyn School 1597 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, West Midlands B28 9JB

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g)  The previous monitoring inspection found weaknesses in aspects of the curriculum, assessment and teaching. At the time, leaders were still in the process of finalising what they wanted pupils to know and remember in some subjects. More work was also needed to ensure that staff used assessment to adjust provision to meet all pupils’ needs.  Leaders have now established precisely what they want pupils to know and remember across key stage 1 and key stage 2 in all subjects. In many subjects, this is a new curriculum that started at the beginning of this academic year. The new curriculum sets out sequenced lessons that follow a two-year rolling programme. This two-year rolling programme is designed so that the differing needs of pupils in mixed-age classes can be catered for. However, at the time of the inspection, two of the mixed-age classes were

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Main inspection findings

combined for lessons such as music and design technology. This means that not all pupils are building on previous knowledge and skills in these subjects.  There are now more pupils on roll, including children in the early years. Leaders have ensured that these children have a suitable range of activities, including being taught to read through a systematic phonics programme. However, leaders have not yet finalised the precise curriculum for all areas of learning in the early years.  Leaders have further developed assessment processes so that there is a useful system that should inform teaching across all subjects. In several subjects, this system is very new. The system needs further time to embed so that teachers can provide work to all pupils that builds on their prior knowledge in all subjects.  When they start at the school, staff carry out some baseline assessments to establish what children and pupils know and can already do. This is so that appropriate

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Main inspection findings

adjustments can be made to provision. These baseline assessments were still being made for some children and pupils. This means that some pupils are not receiving an appropriate curriculum matched to their needs and abilities. Part of the issue for the younger children and pupils is the mix of ages in the same class. Leaders have started to make suitable arrangements but are still in the process of finalising timetables and staffing so that the needs of all children and pupils can be met.  There are new members of staff this academic year. They have quickly formed positive relationships with the children and pupils in their classes. The proprietor has ensured that more experienced staff are providing appropriate guidance and support to enable staff to deliver the intended curriculum. This includes a comprehensive programme of professional development. The support, combined with the newly designed curriculum, is

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Main inspection findings

having a positive impact. However, it is very early in the term and much of the required training has yet to be delivered. So, for example, appropriate training in phonics for new staff has yet to take place. As a result, not all areas of the curriculum are being delivered as intended.  The proprietor has purchased several important resources to aid the delivery of the new curriculum. However, the increase in pupil numbers means that not all staff have the resources they need to teach reading well.  These independent school standards remain unmet.

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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 previous inspection found that leaders had not ensured compliance with some of the independent school standards. These related to some aspects of the curriculum and teaching.  Leaders have continued to act to make improvements since the last inspection. They have implemented the action plan and created additional plans. Leaders have reviewed the curriculum in several subjects. The proprietor has invested in new resources, such as new schemes of work for several foundation subjects. He has also recruited more staff and engaged the services of an external consultant to support school improvement.  However, with a significant proportion of staff being new this academic year, combined with a substantial increase in pupil numbers, improvements in some areas are still at the early stages. Leaders have plans in place to address the areas that still need to improve.

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Main inspection findings

However, they need more time and resources to secure further improvement. Leaders have not yet ensured compliance with all the independent school standards.  These independent school standards remain unmet.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet 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, as set out in the annex of this report. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous 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

Annual fees (day pupils) £4,200 to £4,500

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School details

Email address office@rosslynschool.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 22 to 24 March 2022

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Information about this school

 Rosslyn School is a non-selective day school for boys and girls on a single site in Hall Green, Birmingham.  The school’s most recent standard inspection was in March 2022. The school had a progress monitoring inspection in January 2023. This is the second progress monitoring inspection.  Since the last inspection, the proprietor has appointed two new teachers and a second curriculum leader. The proprietor is still the acting headteacher.  The school uses no alternative provision.  The school has an Islamic religious ethos.  The school is registered to admit 36 pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous monitoring inspection in January 2023. This is the second progress monitoring inspection and was completed without notice.  The Department of Education required school leaders to prepare an action plan following the previous monitoring inspection in January 2023. Ofsted evaluated the action plan in May 2023. The plan was judged to be unacceptable. The Department for Education rejected the plan in June 2023.  The inspector met with the proprietor and the school’s curriculum leaders. The inspector discussed the curriculum, looked at curriculum plans and considered the curriculum policy.  The inspector met with teaching staff to discuss their workload and the support they are

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Information about this inspection

given to develop their knowledge and skills.  The inspector visited lessons, spoke to pupils and looked at pupils’ work.  The inspector met with the designated safeguarding leader and spoke to another designated safeguarding leader about the training for staff. The inspector looked at relevant policies and the single central record.

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Inspection team

Helen Forrest, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 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 – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work– – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(b) fosters in pupils self-motivation, the application of intellectual, physical and creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves;

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range; – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress.

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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– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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