Red Balloon Educational Trust-Norfolk

School pre-registration inspection report

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Red Balloon Education Trust - Norfolk 76 Earlham Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 3DF

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a) to 2(2)(i)  This school will provide both short- and long-term placements for pupils who have found it challenging to attend mainstream schools due to their anxiety and/or mental health needs.  The school has comprehensive curriculum policies, identifying how the school will work with individual learners. Teachers will work with pupils and their families to identify their learning needs and topics that interest them, while developing core subject knowledge, for example in mathematics and English.  Teachers will make use of the detailed plans and schemes of work that the proprietor body’s other providers already have in place. This includes for personal, social, health and economic education.  Staff will ensure that for each pupil a broad and balanced curriculum is in place once they are attending school full time. This includes appropriate careers education and

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Main inspection findings

planning for transition to other settings after their time at the school. Paragraphs 2A(1) to 2A(1)(g)  The plans and schemes of work for relationship and sex education are in place. Leaders intend to consult with parents before delivering this material. Paragraphs 3, 3(a) to 3(j)  The charity’s other providers have a clear framework for progression of skills and knowledge over time. The school will make use of this to ensure pupils make progress over time in the core subjects. Leaders intend to work with pupils to plan an individualised curriculum that will ensure progression once pupils are in the school and settled.  The behaviour policy is clear. The school intends to develop an ethos aimed at building pupils’ self-esteem. Restorative discussions will be held to help pupils understand the consequences of their actions. Leaders are clear that they are there to support pupils who want to make changes and get back into school. They have

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Main inspection findings

detailed plans on how this may take time and small steps of progress. Paragraph 4  As teaching will be highly individualised, teachers will make ongoing assessments of pupils’ successes and identify areas where they need further support. More formal assessments will also be made, for example around pupils’ reading ability and well- being.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in part 1 are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a) to 5(d)(iii)  The plans and schemes of work allow for discussion and teaching about fundamental British values and democracy.  Leaders intend that as pupils become settled in the school, they will work in small groups, building up tolerance and acceptance of others. The schemes of work contain lots of opportunities for debate about current affairs.  Leaders are aware of the need to ensure that discussion of political issues is balanced

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Main inspection findings

and that no partisan views are promoted.  Leaders have planned out a calendar of events to enhance the core curriculum and extend pupils’ knowledge of the world around them.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in part 2 are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders have had appropriate safeguarding training. There are clear plans in place to ensure that other members of staff are trained when they start work at the school. Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c)  There is a detailed behaviour policy in place. Leaders will train staff to understand the school’s ethos of ‘unconditional positive regard’ and ways of working with pupils. Paragraph 10  The anti-bullying policy makes it clear how staff will address any bullying or near- bullying incidents. Leaders are realistic that bullying will happen and plan to cover how to address this within staff’s behaviour training.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 11  All appropriate health and safety laws are complied with. The school has detailed systems in place to ensure pupils, visitors and staff are safe. Paragraph 12  The school has had substantial refurbishment work to meet fire safety regulations. Leaders and staff understand their responsibilities here. The school has already begun regular fire safety checks and held fire drills. Paragraph 13  The first-aid policy is appropriate. A suitable number of staff have had the relevant training. First-aid kits are appropriately equipped and kept easily accessible. Paragraph 14  The proprietor body intends to recruit staff gradually to match a steadily increasing intake of pupils. This will ensure that all staff have quality induction experiences and that pupils are able to integrate into the school community at an appropriate pace. Paragraph 15  A suitable format is proposed for the admissions and attendance registers.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 16  Risk assessments have been undertaken for the premises. Leaders have a format ready for individual risk assessments for pupils.  Leaders have ensured that the standards for part 3 are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5)(a) to (b) and 21(6)  All appropriate checks have been made on members of staff already in employment. The proprietor body has central human resources professionals who will support this process of pre-employment checking.  The school does not intend to use supply staff.  All appropriate checks have been made on members of the proprietor body.  Leaders have ensured that the standards for part 4 are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(2), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b),

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Main inspection findings

28(1), 28(1)(a) to 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The school has recently been refurbished to a high standard. Pupils’ work spaces are light and airy with a choice of seating arrangements. Acoustic conditions are suitable.  Communal spaces are well decorated and provide a range of leisure activities for pupils during breaktimes. There is an outside area for play and physical education. There is emergency and external lighting.  Suitable toilet and showering facilities are provided for pupils. These include appropriate accessibility fittings to provide access for any pupils who may need them. Suitable drinking-water points are provided.  The medical room has a bed, toilet and running water.  The kitchen provides space for both catering for pupil meals and for pupils to take part in cookery lessons.  Leaders have ensured that the standards for part 5 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1), 32(1)(a) to (d), 32(1)(f) to 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a) to 32(2)(d), 32(3), 32(3)(a) to 32(3)(g)  The school’s website contains policies and other information for potential pupils and parents.  The proprietor body has appropriate systems in place to be able to inform local authorities how funding has been spent.  Leaders are aware of their need to review and adapt education, health and care plans annually.  Leaders have ensured that the standards for part 6 are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33, 33(a) to 33(k)  The complaints policy meets the standards.  Leaders understand their obligations to ensure the graduated policy includes, at appropriate points, an external member on the panel and support for complainants.  Leaders have ensured that the standards for part 7 are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  Leaders are experienced in running schools, including those for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The proprietor body has experience in opening a new school and in providing education for pupils of the age range proposed.  Leaders have a good understanding of what support and guidance their pupils will need to make a positive start at their school.  Leaders have ensured that the standards for part 8 are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Policies and schemes of work take aspects of the Equality Act 2010, including protected characteristics, into account.  The building is accessible to those with a wide range of disabilities and/or needs.  Leaders have ensured that this requirement 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.

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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

Type of school Independent special school

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Proprietor Red Balloon Educational Trust

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £35,000 to £45,000

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Proposed school details

Website www.redballoonlearner.org/locations/red- balloon-educational-trust-norfolk/ Email address admin@rbet.ac

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 18 11 to 18 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 20 20

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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 20 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 20

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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 20

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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 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 7

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 5

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Information about this proposed school

 The proprietor body is Red Balloon Educational Trust, a registered charity. The proprietor body operates one other school. It also operates online full-time education for around 80 pupils at any one time.  The school will provide 20 spaces for pupils with any of, but not exclusively, severe anxiety, traumatic experiences or mental health needs.  It is likely that most pupils will be funded by their local authority.  The school is seeking registration to age 18, but this is in anticipation that some pupils will be re-taking Years 10 and 11. There is no intention of providing key stage 5 education.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first pre-registration inspection prior to the school opening. The inspection focused on compliance with the regulatory requirements of the standards, safeguarding procedures and schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  The inspector carried out a range of activities in order to check whether the school is likely to meet the standards and other requirements. The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body, the head of centre, the deputy head of centre and the director of education. The inspector toured the proposed school’s premises. The inspector reviewed a wide range of documents, including safeguarding information, policies, curriculum information and proposed procedures to assess pupils’ learning.

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Inspection team

Tessa Holledge, 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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