Haywards Farm School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Haywards Farm School Station Road, Theale, Reading RG7 4AS

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1)–2(2)(b), 2(2)(d)–2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h)–2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d)–2(A)(2), 3–4 ◼ Leaders intend to provide a broad range of subjects based on the national curriculum. They have put in place comprehensive and well-considered plans for how these subjects will be delivered across the school. ◼ The proposed school will accommodate pupils up to Year 9, preparing them for the next stage in their education where they are likely to take either entry-level or GCSE qualifications. The curriculum will be tailored to pupils’ needs, and there is a clear methodology in place to enable this. ◼ Leaders intend to prioritise reading. This includes the introduction of a phonics programme. There will be an equivalent, phonics-based programme to support older pupils who struggle with reading. Leaders have ensured that resources and reading materials match their chosen phonics programme. Staff will receive full training in

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Main inspection findings

teaching early reading. ◼ Leaders have designed a comprehensive approach to assessing pupils which is closely linked to the planned curriculum. They have thought about the systems that will be used to make sure that information from assessments informs subsequent teaching. ◼ Alongside the academic curriculum, leaders have planned for a range of trips, visits and themed days. Through this programme, they will seek to develop pupils’ independence and their knowledge of the world around them. This will include a focus on appreciating different cultures and traditions. ◼ Pupils will receive age-appropriate education and guidance about careers and impartial advice about the next steps in their education. ◼ Leaders plan to ensure that pupils will receive an extensive programme of personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. This will include age-appropriate learning about relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education. There is a

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Main inspection findings

suitable policy for RSE, and parents will be consulted on this once pupils are admitted to the school. ◼ Leaders have ensured that these independent school standards (the standards) are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5–5(d)(iii) ◼ Leaders have prioritised pupils’ personal development in their planning of the school’s curriculum and policies. They recognise the particular importance of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development to pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). ◼ Fundamental British values and knowledge of current affairs form a key part of the planned PSHE programme. For example, pupils will be provided with opportunities to learn about and debate current issues and news stories. ◼ Leaders have considered their system for managing behaviour carefully. In dealing with any incidents, they will encourage pupils to take responsibility and act morally.

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Main inspection findings

Staff will be provided with training, with the aim of ensuring a consistent and effective approach. ◼ Leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7–7(b), 32(1)(c) ◼ Leaders, together with the proprietor body, have made arrangements to safeguard the welfare of pupils. These are documented in a thorough safeguarding policy, which is published on the school’s website. Leaders have a detailed understanding of how they will put this into practice, including through recruitment and training of staff. ◼ An independent safeguarding audit is scheduled to be carried out prior to the school opening. The proprietor body will continue to use external partners, including those from the local authority, to provide assurance and advice about the school’s arrangements for safeguarding. Paragraphs 9–16(b) ◼ The proprietor body has ensured that the necessary policies are in place in relation to

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Main inspection findings

fire regulation and other aspects of health and safety. They have commissioned reviews from external experts to check that the proposed school building is compliant. These checks include asbestos, drinking-water, fire risk and electrical surveys. There is a clear schedule for such checks to take place in the future to ensure that the current high standards are maintained. The proprietor body has also ensured that there is a written policy on the administration of first aid. ◼ There is a suitably clear and rigorous approach to risk assessment. Examples of risk assessments already produced show that leaders use this well and are adept at evaluating and managing risk. ◼ Along with leaders, the proprietor body has ensured that there are appropriate policies and procedures to manage behaviour, bullying and attendance. They have considered carefully how these will be put into practice when the school opens. This

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Main inspection findings

includes plans for training staff in common approaches to addressing poor behaviour. ◼ The proprietor body has established a suitable admissions policy and intends to work closely with two local authorities to place pupils at the school. ◼ The proprietor body has considered the level of staffing required and has put a plan in place to provide supervision of pupils at all times. ◼ Leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(3)(b), 21(6) ◼ Leaders understand their responsibilities with regard to this part of the standards. They have put in place rigorous recruitment procedures and made use of these to appoint staff required for September. The single central record is completed for staff employed so far. Along with staff files, this document shows that all necessary pre-

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Main inspection findings

employment checks and references are carried out. ◼ The school does not intend to make use of any supply staff. ◼ Leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)–23(1)(c), 24(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2), 25–29(1)(b) ◼ The proposed school will be situated in a premises previously used as a bed and breakfast. Since taking on the building, the proprietor has overseen a full renovation of the site, including the grounds. ◼ Classrooms are decorated and maintained to a high standard. They are well equipped with resources and technology to facilitate learning. The building is spacious and overall is suitable for up to 32 pupils and the associated staffing. ◼ The school has a large outdoor area with ample space for pupils to play or to learn outdoors. The proprietor has installed new play equipment, as well as a shelter area which will become an outdoor library once completed.

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Main inspection findings

◼ The medical room is newly refurbished and an appropriate space for unwell or injured pupils to be examined and treated. There is a lockable cabinet for medicines. There are record-keeping systems in place for use when the school opens and two members of staff with the necessary training. ◼ There are suitable toilet facilities for pupils and staff. Water temperature is regulated and tested regularly. Drinking-water has been tested to ensure its safety and is freely available. ◼ Leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)–32(1)(b), 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f)–32(2)(b), 32(b)(ii)–32(2)(c), 32(2)(d)– 32(4)(c) ◼ The school’s headteacher has put in place a well-organised website prior to the proposed opening. It contains all of the information required by the standards. ◼ Leaders have prioritised parental engagement in their plans. They have produced a

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Main inspection findings

schedule for reporting to parents, as well as providing more regular access to assessment information. In addition, they have planned frequent opportunities for parents to visit the school, both to form a support network with each other and to liaise with teaching staff. ◼ Leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33–33(k) ◼ The school’s complaints policy mirrors closely the Department for Education’s guidelines. It is published on the school’s website. The policy provides clear and accessible information to parents about how to raise concerns and escalate these if they are not resolved at the informal stage. ◼ Leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) –34(1)(c) ◼ The proprietor body has appointed an experienced and knowledgeable headteacher

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Main inspection findings

with a background in special education. ◼ Members of the proprietor body have experience in special and mainstream education as well as in social care. They are in the process of appointing a governing body which will meet regularly. In the meantime, quality assurance processes have been put in place. These include members of the proprietor body working alongside representatives from the local authority to oversee the school as it is established. ◼ Leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 ◼ Leaders and the chair of the proprietor body are knowledgeable about their responsibilities regarding equality. They have produced an appropriate accessibility plan which is published on the school’s website.

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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

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Email address headteacher@amegreened.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 6 to 14 6 to 14 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 25 32

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations ◼ Following refurbishment, the site is suitable for 32 pupils. There are four classrooms, each suitable for up to eight pupils. In addition, there is another classroom which leaders intend to use for smaller groups when required. Outdoor and corridor space is also suitable for 32 pupils, and leaders have put in place risk assessments to ensure pupils’ safety and supervision between lessons and at social times.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 25

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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 25

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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 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 8

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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 3

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Information about this proposed school

◼ Haywards Farm School has been proposed by Amegreen Education Ltd as an independent special school for pupils with SEND. ◼ Amegreen Education Ltd is registered at Companies House and has three directors. It has close links to Amegreen Children’s Services which runs several children’s homes in West Berkshire and Hampshire. ◼ The proprietor has a working relationship with West Berkshire and Reading local authorities and intends to accept placements from these two areas. ◼ The proposed school will cater for pupils with autism and associated conditions such as speech, language and communication difficulties. All pupils will have an education, health and care plan, with all places funded by the local authority. ◼ The school does not plan to use any alternative provision. However, leaders plan to make use of facilities at a local farm and a leisure centre on a regular basis. They have conducted thorough checks on these premises and associated staffing.

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Information about this proposed school

◼ Once the school has opened, the proprietor body will appoint a governing body to oversee the school.

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Information about this inspection

◼ The purpose of this inspection was to check whether the school is likely to meet the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 if the Department for Education decides to register it. This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection. ◼ The inspector discussed and reviewed all relevant plans and documentation for the new school with the headteacher. He also met with the chair of the proprietor body and the school’s deputy headteacher. ◼ The inspector looked around the school premises to check that it met the requirements of the standards. He scrutinised a wide range of policies and records in relation to the health and safety of the premises. ◼ The inspector checked the school’s arrangements for safeguarding by reviewing the policy and systems in place. He also discussed these arrangements with the school’s headteacher who is also the designated safeguarding lead.

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Inspection team

Chris Ellison, 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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