Draycott Moor College

School material change inspection report

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Draycott Old Road, Draycott-in-the-Moors, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST11 9AH

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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)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d), 2A(1)(e), 2A(1)(f), 2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j), 4  Leaders intend to extend the age range of the school from 10–16 to 10–18 years old. They recognise that some pupils who reach the end of Year 11 are not quite ready to move on to other mainstream education providers. Leaders have therefore put in place appropriate plans to allow certain pupils to stay at the school for an additional two years.  Most pupils currently achieve qualifications in functional skills at level 1 by the end of Year 11. Leaders intend to offer further functional skills and GCSE qualifications for those who remain with the school beyond the age of 16. Leaders intend to offer

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Main inspection findings

qualifications in English, mathematics and science, as well as an additional two subjects, as part of their sixth-form offer.  Leaders have ensured that staff are suitably qualified and equipped to offer these qualifications. Many staff have previous experience in delivering GCSEs in various subjects.  All pupils who attend the school have special educational needs and/or disabilities. All pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Staff use this information to create individual ‘provision maps’ that set out the academic and pastoral support each pupil needs. These maps are reviewed regularly to reflect the needs of pupils and the progress they make through the school. The school also uses a team of therapists who work with pupils, particularly around supporting their sensory needs. The school intends to continue with this support into the sixth form.  Leaders have already established a suitable careers programme for pupils who attend

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Main inspection findings

the school. This includes one-to-one careers interviews as well as visits to different colleges. As part of the school’s curriculum offer, all Year 11 pupils attend a local college one day a week to complete a vocational qualification. For those who stay with the school post-16, leaders intend to provide a package of work experience to prepare students for the wider world of work.  As part of the school’s curriculum for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, pupils in key stage 4 complete a qualification for personal well-being. Leaders intend to offer the advanced form of this qualification for those students in the sixth form. This qualification covers topics including careers and relationships and sex education, as well as how to look after themselves.  The proprietor has ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the material change application is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)  The school’s PSHE education curriculum ensures that pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is catered for effectively. As part of this curriculum, pupils learn about fundamental British values, such as tolerance and democracy. Leaders plan that older pupils will follow a similar programme to deepen their knowledge of these values further.  Leaders intend to continue with a range of guest speakers and educational visits as part of their sixth-form provision. Previously, pupils have received talks from the local police and representatives from the army. Pupils have also visited different places of worship, including a local mosque and Lichfield Cathedral, to enhance their cultural

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Main inspection findings

understanding.  Leaders plan to build on the successful local community work that takes place already. At present, pupils volunteer at a local church every other week to serve tea and coffee to residents. Pupils have also raised money for various charities, such as Children in Need and Macmillan Cancer Support. Leaders plan that sixth-form students will continue with this community work and intend to use a local football club to help support this.  Several pupils at the school participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. Some pupils can achieve their silver award by the end of Year 11. For those who intend to stay into the sixth form, leaders plan to look for students to work towards their gold award. This will include camping trips and further voluntary work.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change application is approved.

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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, who is also the chief executive officer of the company, has a good understanding of the school and its current position. She recognises that the school is suitably placed to expand its current age range.  Leaders at all levels act in the best interests of children. Their rationale for wanting to expand the age range of the school is to continue building on their successful work with pupils through their 11–16 provision. Leaders recognise that some pupils will be prepared to leave the school at the end of Year 11 and are suitably placed to take their next steps in a mainstream setting. However, for those who are not yet ready, the school will continue to offer a bespoke package of academic and pastoral support.  The proprietor has ensured that the company provides effective strategic oversight of

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Main inspection findings

the school’s work. A school improvement partner and education directors of the company meet regularly with school leaders to check on the latter’s work. This information is regularly discussed as part of monthly meetings. This ensures that there are strong channels of communication throughout and leaders are held accountable.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change application is approved.

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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

Proprietor Horizon Care and Education Group Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £66,4441 to £100,000

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School details

Website www.horizoncare.co.uk/our-schools

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School details

Email address enquires@horizoncare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10 to 12 May 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 16 10 to 18 10 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 23 N/A N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed N/A Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 23 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 23 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 23 N/A

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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 23 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 22 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 0 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 N/A

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Information about this school

 The school is part of the Horizon Care and Education Group  The school’s most recent standard inspection was in May 2022, when it was judged to be good overall.  The school uses one registered alternative provider one day a week for Year 11 pupils.  The school is currently registered to provide full-time education for boys and girls aged 10 to 16.  The school provides education for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an EHC plan. Many have been excluded from their previous schools, and some have missed a significant proportion of their education.

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Information about this inspection

 The material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to determine whether the school could expand the age range of its pupils from 10–16 to 10–18 years of age.  This is the school’s first material change inspection since it opened.  Several documents were submitted electronically and were reviewed remotely by the lead inspector prior to the inspection. This included documents relating to the school’s curriculum. The lead inspector also looked at the school’s website.  The lead inspector spoke with the headteacher and deputy headteacher about safeguarding arrangements. The school’s single central record was checked, as well as a sample of a personnel file. He also spoke with staff and pupils about safeguarding arrangements.  The lead inspector conducted a tour of the school site.  The lead inspector met virtually with the school’s proprietor.

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Inspection team

Mark Howes, 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

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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