The Anchor Sendfriendly Centre

School pre-registration inspection report

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The Anchor Sendfriendly Centre 3 Block E, North Road, Plumstead, London SE18 1BS

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have created a detailed curriculum policy. The range of subjects offered is well matched to the school’s proposed age range. Leaders plan to admit children and young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They intend to adapt the curriculum content and teaching to meet the individual needs, abilities and aspirations of pupils. The proposed teaching subjects include English, mathematics, science, art, computing, personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, history, religious studies and physical education. Suitable schemes of work are in place.  At the end of Year 11, pupils will eventually have access to external accreditation at various levels, including entry levels 1, 2 and 3 and functional skills.   The assessment policy includes plans for the baseline assessment of pupils’ starting points together with any information provided by the placing school. Assessment

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Main inspection findings

procedures will assess pupils’ progress academically and their social and emotional development. Leaders will provide parents and carers with reports on their children’s attainment and progress every half term. Throughout the year, staff will update parents in person.   Where appropriate, pupils will have access to careers information, work experience and impartial guidance.   The head of school has previously worked with pupils with SEND. She has considerable experience in training and developing staff. She is likely to be able to ensure that the quality of teaching will be of a suitable standard. Leaders have already appointed a senior teacher and a few other teachers. These appointees bring experience in teaching and supporting pupils’ well-being, especially those pupils with SEND.   The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met.  Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

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Main inspection findings

All paragraphs  The school aims to provide pupils with a curriculum that takes account of differences and welcomes everyone. Leaders plan to teach pupils about the rule of law and mutual respect.  The school plans to teach pupils history, religious education and fundamental British values through their curriculum and school ethos.  Leaders have planned an individualised tiered programme to teach pupils to have respect for the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010. This will be covered through PSHE lessons, social stories, planned activities, community projects and educational visits.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  The proprietor has written detailed policies about health and safety, fire safety, first aid and risk assessment.  Leaders intend to make an individual risk assessment and behaviour management plan for all pupils. They plan to keep these under regular review. These are detailed

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Main inspection findings

and cover different eventualities.  The health and safety leaders induct all new staff with training on a wide range of health and safety aspects. They tailor the training to the staff’s roles and responsibilities. The proprietor has ensured that there are enough employees trained to undertake fire warden responsibilities. Leaders already have a number of staff who are first-aid trained and will be training more staff once they have been appointed. Leaders intend that all health and safety training will be completed before the school opens to pupils.  The safeguarding policy is fully up to date. Leaders have relevant previous experience and have completed suitable training.  The security and safety of pupils have been considered as part of the plans for the building. For example, closed-circuit television recording is in operation around the building and entry into and around the school is controlled by the use of electronic

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Main inspection findings

door fobs.  Leaders have produced appropriate anti-bullying and behaviour policies. Leaders have prepared to log incidents of serious misbehaviour and any sanctions imposed as a result.  Leaders have systems in place for completing the admissions register and attendance register as required.  Leaders plan to deploy sufficient staff throughout the day to ensure that pupils are appropriately supervised from arrival to departure.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  Leaders have completed training to help them know and understand the requirements for checking on the suitability of new members of staff. They have prepared a suitable staff recruitment policy. This has been implemented appropriately for all staff appointed to date.  Details of all required checks on staff and the proprietor are entered into a single

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Main inspection findings

central record.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The intended premises are spacious and light and maintained to a high standard of repair. It is spacious enough to accommodate the proposed number of pupils. Besides regular classrooms, there are specialist teaching rooms for sensory activity, literacy and art.  The premises meet all requirements related to acoustics, lighting, provision of hot and cold water and toilets. Showering facilities are being installed and should be in place at the time of opening.  There is currently no medical room, but there are plans to create a suitably placed medical room. This will be private and have use of a sink.  There are water coolers that will provide pupils with drinking-water in areas around the school.  Sufficient outdoor space is provided for safe play and physical education activities.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders propose to use the cooking facilities to teach pupils key life skills at an alternative site.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  The school’s website provides parents with access to the required school policies and other information such as contact details.  Leaders are aware of their responsibility to add further information as it becomes available and the school is established. They plan to upload information such as inspection reports and examination results and provide an account of income and expenditure to placing authorities. Leaders plan to provide suitable reports for parents.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  Leaders have prepared a comprehensive complaints policy. It is fully compliant with the standards.  The policy is available to parents through the school’s website.

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Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Leaders have robust systems in place for supporting and training staff. They have plans to regularly audit the quality of education, health and safety and provision for pupils’ welfare.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have audited the site and produced a full accessibility plan for the proposed school, which complies with 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.

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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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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 4 to 25 4 to 25 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 25 25

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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 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 30

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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 7

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Information about this proposed school

 The Anchor Sendfriendly Centre is seeking to register as an independent school. It proposes to provide full-time education for up to 25 pupils, aged four to 25, with a range of SEND, such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Cognitive and Learning Needs and Social, Emotional and Mental Health.  The Anchor Sendfriendly Centre registered in 2021. It is an independent respite and childcare service for children and young people with SEND between the ages of three and 25 years. It is situated in Plumstead, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, London. It is currently functioning as a registered early years provider. The provision was inspected on 22 May 2023 and was judged as good in all areas. Proprietors have adapted another section of the building in preparation for pupils aged 4 to 25.  The school does not propose to use the services of any alternative provision

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector gathered evidence to check whether the school is likely to meet the standards by scrutinising documentation submitted by the leaders. These included the school’s curriculum planning, safeguarding policy, risk assessments and other health and safety documentation and information available for parents.  The inspector held several meetings with the head of school and other members of the leadership team. They visited the proposed new section of the building in addition to the current building and checked the single central record of staff suitability.  This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to assess whether the provision is likely to meet all of the standards if registered as an independent school. This is the school’s first pre-registration visit.

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Inspection team

Aliki Constantopoulou, 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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