The King Alfred School

School material change inspection report

p.1

The King Alfred School Lake Street, Lower Gornal, Dudley DY3 2AU

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 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)(f), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 2A(1), 2A(1)(a), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d), 2A(1)(e), 2A(1)(f), 2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3), 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 3 to 11 to 3 to 13 years old. The school currently offers a classical Christian education to those within the primary phase. Leaders plan to now extend this into the secondary phase and have suitable plans in place for pupils who will join in Years 7 and 8.  The school intends to offer a similar range of subjects to the primary phase as it expands into the secondary phase. This includes a range of traditional core subjects as well as other less conventional subjects, such as classical studies, visual arts, Latin

p.1

Main inspection findings

and horticulture.  The school currently teaches primary pupils in mixed-aged classes. Leaders intend to create a separate group for those in the secondary phase to provide more tailored teaching of the curriculum.  The school has suitable plans which outline what topics will be taught each term. This shows how pupils will build and develop their knowledge and skills over time.  Leaders have thought carefully about the content of their personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) curriculum. This will be delivered in line with the school’s designated Christian character and will teach their distinctive faith perspective on relationships, with balanced debate about issues that are seen as contentious. The school will also consult with parents and carers. The PSHE curriculum also includes plans to teach all the protected characteristics.  The school intends to provide appropriate careers advice and guidance to pupils. This

p.1

Main inspection findings

includes activities and projects to develop entrepreneurial skills as well as inviting guest speakers to school from a wide range of careers.  The school has appropriate assessment procedures in place, which they intend to continue with into the secondary phase. All pupils sit a baseline assessment on entry to the school to determine end-of-year goals alongside age-related expectations. This will continue for pupils in Years 7 and 8.  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.

p.1

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), 5(d)(iii)  The PSHE curriculum, alongside the delivery of subjects such as religious education (RE) and citizenship, has been designed to cater for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.  The school intends to teach pupils about fundamental British values through weekly citizenship lessons. In Year 7, leaders plan to ensure that pupils learn about democracy by studying the role of parliament, voting in elections and different political parties. Leaders also plan to ensure that pupils have a secure understanding of public institutions. The school intends to teach pupils about the role of the police as well as courts and tribunals. It also intends to teach pupils about the role of voluntary

p.2

Main inspection findings

organisations. This will include working closely with a local church.  In RE lessons, leaders intend to teach pupils about mutual respect and tolerance. This will include learning about the core beliefs of Islam in Year 7 before moving on to study Sikhism in Year 8.  The school intends to continue with a range of extra-curricular clubs that will be available to secondary pupils. This includes clubs such as sign language, keyboard, chess and sports clubs. Pupils will also be able to attend various trips, such as visits to an arboretum, a Christian heritage centre and a sports day at a local country park.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change application is approved.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(c)  The school has ensured that there is suitable changing accommodation and a shower room for pupils aged 11 years or over receiving physical education.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change application is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor, who was formerly headteacher, has a strong understanding of the school. She has a background in secondary education and is passionate about a classical model of education. The school’s plan to grow and develop its secondary provision at this point is entirely appropriate.  The proprietor is ably assisted by two part-time headteachers at the school. Both headteachers have specific areas of responsibility, including oversight of different

p.2

Main inspection findings

parts of the independent school standards. Both headteachers are knowledgeable about the quality of the school’s work and discharge their duties, including that of safeguarding, effectively.  The proprietor has robust procedures in place to check compliance with the independent school standards. These are tested through meetings between the proprietor and headteachers before this information is taken to governing board meetings to be scrutinised.  The school has appropriate plans in place for its expansion to secondary-aged pupils. The proprietor has clear plans to recruit additional staff to help support the delivery of the curriculum.  The proprietor and other leaders have pupils’ well-being at the core of what they do. This is supported by the Christian virtues which sit at the heart of the school’s work.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change application is approved.

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

Headteachers Charmian Gamble and Katy Patla

p.5

School details

Email address office@kingalfredschool.co.uk

p.5

School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 14 to 16 September 2022

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 3 to 11 3 to 13 3 to 13

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 32 N/A N/A

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 19 N/A

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 N/A

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 N/A

p.6

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 0 N/A

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 N/A

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 4 N/A

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 N/A

p.6

Information about this school

 The school’s most recent standard inspection was in September 2022, when it was judged to be good overall.  The school does not use alternative provision.  The school provides a classical Christian education.  The school is currently registered to provide full-time education for boys and girls aged 3 to 11.

p.6

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 3 to 11 to 3 to 13 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 leader inspector also looked at the school’s website.  The lead inspector spoke with the proprietor and headteachers about safeguarding arrangements. The school’s single central record was checked, as well as a sample of personnel files. The lead inspector spoke with staff and pupils about safeguarding arrangements.  The lead inspector conducted a tour of the school site.  The lead inspector met separately with the proprietor to discuss the leadership and

p.7

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 .

p.7

Inspection team

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

p.8

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 .

p.8

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.

p.8

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8