Rowan Education

School material change inspection report

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Heslam Park, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire DN16 2AG

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 1, 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)(h) and 2(2)(i)  The proprietor has applied for a material change to extend the age range of the pupils up to 16 years old and to increase the maximum number of pupils to 25.  The school is currently open to pupils. A pre-registration inspection took place in March 2023, when the inspector found that the school is likely to meet all the independent school standards (the standards) when it opens.  The proprietor expects that most pupils who come to the school will be on short-term placements and will then return to mainstream school. There is flexibility in the curriculum offer to enable staff to teach what pupils need most.  The proprietor body has a suitable written curriculum policy in place to meet the

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Main inspection findings

needs and developmental stages of the pupils. The associated schemes of work clearly set out what pupils will learn in a broad range of subjects.  The school’s proposed curriculum includes all the subjects of the national curriculum. The proprietor has plans in place to educate pupils aged 11 to 16. The plans are sequenced logically and progressively. They are likely to take account of pupils’ different ages, abilities and interests.  The proprietor anticipates that pupils who will attend the proposed school will have missed substantial parts of their education. The proprietor plans to purchase a phonics programme to support those pupils who are at the early stages of reading.  The envisioned curriculum will support pupils to achieve qualifications such as functional skills at level 1 and level 2.  The planned programme for personal, social, health and economic education is likely to be suitable. It focuses on developing pupils socially and emotionally, including

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Main inspection findings

developing pupils’ aspirations.  The curriculum will teach pupils about protected characteristics, as set out in the Equality Act 2010.  The proprietor has established links and is working with local colleges to ensure that pupils will receive impartial, up-to-date and wide-ranging careers education, advice and guidance. Paragraphs 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d), 2A(1)(e), 2A(1)(f), 2A(1)(g) and 2A(2)  The school’s proposed relationships and sex education (RSE) programme covers all the required areas of statutory guidance. The school’s RSE policy will go to parents and carers for their views when their child attends the school. The current policy is published online. The policy explains clearly parents’ rights to withdraw their child from aspects of this programme. Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j) and 4  Pupils will undertake baseline assessments for mathematics, English and computer

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Main inspection findings

technology when they join the school. It is intended that teachers will use the information obtained from these assessments, along with pupil information from pupils’ host schools to plan lessons that build on what pupils already know.  The proprietor has set out their assessment expectations through a clear policy. It is proposed that teachers will regularly check pupils’ understanding through formative and end-of-unit assessments. Teachers will adapt lessons to fill any gaps that have been identified. Pupils will receive feedback to help them progress and improve.  The proposed school has produced a marking policy and a ‘topic tracker’ to support teachers with their assessments.  Leaders have established a quiet, calm and purposeful atmosphere in the school. Positive relationships mean that pupils feel valued and secure. There is an expectation of mutual respect.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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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)(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) and 5(d)(iii)  The proposed school has extended the current scheme of work to incorporate Years 10 and 11. It has considered carefully how the curriculum will build on what has come before. Teaching is likely to support pupils to develop their self-esteem, self-belief and confidence, in line with the school’s aims and ethos.  The schemes of work set out how teaching will support pupils’ understanding of fundamental British values and the diversity of modern British society. It is expected that pupils will learn to know right from wrong and take responsibility for their actions.  A wide-ranging programme of enrichment activities, trips, clubs and visitors will complement the curriculum.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  The proprietor has a detailed safeguarding policy in place. The child protection and safeguarding policy takes account of the most recent government guidance and is available on the school’s website.  The proprietor uses regular training and briefings to update staff about safeguarding matters. The proprietor is aware of their statutory duties and of the likely risks faced by pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Safeguarding is given a high priority in staff recruitment and induction. Paragraphs 11, 12 and 14  The health and safety policy is comprehensive. Arrangements to clean and maintain the building and to keep its users as safe as possible are likely to be effective.  The proposed school is attached to Heslam Rugby Club, which owns the building. Heslam Rugby Club ensures that all the required checks for the entire building,

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Main inspection findings

including its the alarm system, emergency lighting and extinguishers, are completed and logged in line with legislative requirements. The proprietor has their own copies of such reports. Leaders carry out regular fire evacuation practices. The proposed school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The supervision of pupils is likely to be proportionate. The maximum class size will be 10 pupils, supported by two members of staff. Paragraphs 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  Detailed and purposeful risk assessments clearly identify the risks associated with specific locations and activities. Risk assessments are carried out by suitably experienced and knowledgeable staff. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated as necessary.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e) and 18(3)  All required suitability checks were being made at the time of the previous pre- registration inspection. This continues to be the case.  The proposed school’s recruitment checks are being carried out, and their dates are recorded accurately.  During the inspection, the proprietor was waiting for confirmation from the Disclosure and Barring Service for two members of staff. There is a suitable risk assessment in place to ensure that those members of staff are not left unsupervised with pupils until all the checks are complete. Paragraphs 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii) and 21(3)(b)  There is an electronic single central record in place. All required checks are recorded

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Main inspection findings

here.  The school does not intend to use supply staff or volunteers.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b) 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The proposed school consists of two large classrooms, of which one has a kitchen that is cordoned off. There is appropriate signage in place to prohibit pupils entering when cooking sessions are not taking place. There is a third, medium-sized classroom and a small intervention room.  The retractable barrier that separates pupils from the kitchen area has broken. The proprietor has a new retractable barrier, which will be installed imminently.  The inspector raised questions with the proprietor about the arrangement of the furniture, which could potentially restrict access to the fire exit in the main classroom. While on site, the proprietor removed all obstructions and reconfigured the furniture,

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Main inspection findings

ensuring that there was suitable access in the event of an emergency.  There are suitable, separate toilet and washing facilities for male and female pupils.  The medical room is based in the female toilets and includes a pull-down bed for short-term care. This is unsuitable due to its use being restricted to female pupils. During the inspection, the proprietor gained permission from the manager of Heslam Rugby Club to use an adjoining room, with handwashing facilities, as a new medical room. This was put in place immediately during the inspection. The proprietor will work with Heslam Rugby Club to adapt the door from this room into an internal fire door. This should ensure that there is a fire escape access route and limited access to the school by members of the public.  The school will have access to some of the grounds of Heslam Rugby Club for breaktimes, lunchtimes and for physical education (PE) lessons. This will provide a

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Main inspection findings

well-appointed and substantial space for PE and recreation. There is access to the showering and changing facilities for pupils’ use.  Pupils have access to a water cooler that is labelled as drinking water. At the time of the inspection, the temperature of the hot water was too cold. The water heater system was not working. Work is scheduled to repair the boiler.  There is a fence with gated access to the school to separate the entrance to the school from access to the rugby club. This has added extra security to the site.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  All of the required information and policies are available on request for prospective parents and carers. Leaders have a website in place. The website contains all the required information required by the standards.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders have given very careful thought to the increase in numbers and age range. They are committed to providing high-quality education for each pupil. They are mindful that any increase in capacity does not have an adverse impact on the quality of education currently offered in the school.  The school has the capacity to support the proposed change to numbers on roll.  All of the independent school standards checked are likely to be met if the proposed material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have ensured that they have a suitable accessibility plan in place that meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Email address hhockaday.rowaneducation@gmail.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 14 10 to 16 10 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 15 25 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 3 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 12 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 12 Not known

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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 25 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 5 5

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Information about this school

 The proprietor intends to cater for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This includes pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, autism, cognitive learning needs, speech, language and communication needs, and moderate learning difficulty.  The school does not have any religious character.  The school does not intend to use any alternative provision.  The school’s previous inspection was a pre-registration inspection in March 2023.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider the school’s request for a material change. The proprietor body would like to increase the maximum permitted number of pupils on the school roll from 15 to 25 pupils.  During the notification call before the inspection, the school requested to change the proposed number of pupils on roll from 20 to 25. Ofsted communicated this to the DfE prior to the inspection.  The purpose of the inspection was to establish whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the registration authority were to grant the requested material change.  The school is currently operating as an alternative provision. Some teaching was observed during the inspection.  The inspector scrutinised the information and policies that are published on the school website.  The inspector met with the proprietor, who is also the headteacher, and with the

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Information about this inspection

business manager and a group of staff. She had a tour of the premises and also spoke to pupils throughout the day.

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Inspection team

Jenny Thomas, 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

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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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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