Longridge School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Levedale Road, Penkridge, Staffordshire ST18 9AL

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a) and 2(2)  At the time of the previous standard inspection in November 2022, leaders had developed a curriculum for some subjects. However, leaders had not ensured that staff were delivering the curriculum as intended or that staff were using the school’s assessment strategies to inform their teaching.  Leaders have worked swiftly to address the issues raised since the previous inspection. Careful thought has gone into the curriculum offer, and curriculum documentation is in place for all subject areas.  Leaders have ensured that the schemes of work in each subject are carefully sequenced and build on what pupils have learned before. These are used and understood by all staff. All staff are using assessment appropriately. Paragraphs 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h) and 2(2)(i)  At the time of the previous standard inspection, information and guidance for careers

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Main inspection findings

were not well developed.  The school provides a planned programme of personal, social, health and economic education in all years. It has also now purchased a careers programme and ensures that pupils have access to independent support and advice about the world of work. Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e) and 3(g)  At the previous standard inspection, leaders had not ensured that teaching was planned to allow pupils to make good progress. In addition, there was a lack of consistency in the teaching of phonics and early reading.  All staff have had training in the teaching of phonics and share a passion for helping pupils to learn how to read. Most phonics sessions are delivered on a one-to-one basis. Alongside this, interventions are in place to support pupils across all key stages so that every effort is made to support pupils with their reading.  All pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Teachers take into account

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Main inspection findings

pupils’ individual needs when planning learning. They know pupils well. Staff ensure that they carefully check what pupils can and cannot do and they adapt learning accordingly. Requirements and advice set out in EHC plans are adhered to.  The inspector made visits to all classes in the school. In all lessons, pupils were thoroughly engaged in their learning. The inspector also scrutinised pupils’ learning across all subject areas. Pupils’ workbooks throughout the school were of a high quality and demonstrated that curriculum plans are being adhered to.  Leaders have implemented the action plan. The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(iii) and 5(b)(v)  At the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that there was a consistent plan in place for pupils’ personal development.  Leaders have given careful thought to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Leaders know that being able to form and manage relationships with other pupils and adults is an area with which pupils need significant support. Therefore, leaders place significant emphasis on celebrating pupils’ successes and building their self-esteem and confidence.  Leaders provide a wide range of activities to enrich pupils’ learning and to support personal development. There are also opportunities for pupil voice and student responsibility.  Leaders have implemented the action plan. The standards in this part are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The requirements of the standards in this part were met at the standard inspection in November 2022.  The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date and covers the most recent guidance from the Department for Education (DfE). The policy is available on the school’s website.  The recruitment of staff continues to be effective. The checks made on staff are detailed, and the single central record is up to date.  Leaders have implemented the action plan. The standards in this part continue to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)  At the previous inspection, the proprietary body had not made sure that those with leadership and management responsibilities demonstrated the skills and knowledge to ensure that the independent school standards are consistently met.

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Main inspection findings

 Since the previous inspection, there have been several staff changes. This has strengthened teaching at the school.  The way in which the proprietor holds leaders to account is more effective. There are now regular meetings to quality assure the work of the school. This means that the proprietor and leaders have a more accurate picture of the school’s effectiveness.  The headteacher has a detailed knowledge of the school curriculum and how it is delivered in each classroom. She uses a range of information, such as from lesson visits, scrutiny of pupils’ work and review of planning documents, to determine what is going well and what will be a priority for further improvement.  Leaders have implemented the action plan. The standards in this part are now met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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. 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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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(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are–  2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that–  2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner;  2(2)(e)(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options; and  2(2)(e)(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential;  2(2)(g) where the school has pupils above compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their needs;  2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; and  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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(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(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 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor–  5(a) actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs;  5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which–  5(b)(iii) encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality in which the school is situated and to society more widely;  5(b)(v) further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;

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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.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 1

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School details

Website https://reflexionseducation.org.uk/longridge- school Email address carol.harvey@longridgeschool.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 15 to 17 November 2022

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Information about this school

 This is an independent school for pupils aged seven to 18 years. Pupils are often placed in the school following breakdown of a placement in their previous primary or secondary school.  Leaders do not make use of any alternative provision.  All pupils who attend the school have an EHC plan.  The school caters for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The primary need for most pupils is moderate learning difficulties.  The school does not have a religious ethos.

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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 inspection.  The inspection was carried out without notice.  This was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection following the full standard inspection that took place from 15 to 17 November 2022. The DfE required the school to prepare an action plan. Ofsted evaluated this action plan on 22 March 2023. The DfE assessed the action plan as satisfactory.  During the inspection, the inspector met with the headteacher and the proprietor’s representative.  The inspector scrutinised safeguarding policies and procedures, including the school’s single central record.  The inspector visited lessons, listened to a selection of pupils reading aloud and

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Inspection team

Emma Gater, 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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