Blackwater Academy

School material change inspection report

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Blackwater Academy 14 Riverside Drive, Stechford, Birmingham B33 9BF

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  There is a suitable safeguarding and child protection policy which reflects the current guidance from the Secretary of State. The policy is available on the school’s website.  Leaders have completed appropriate safeguarding and safer recruitment training. Leaders are acutely aware of the risks their pupils are likely to face and show a good understanding of how to address these risks. This includes educating pupils about the potential dangers and consequences of risky behaviours.  There are appropriate systems in place for reporting and recording concerns. Leaders review any concerns on a regular basis to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to keep pupils safe. This includes liaising with external agencies. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor has ensured that a suitably competent member of staff oversees health

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Main inspection findings

and safety. There is a thorough approach to all matters regarding health and safety. Programmes for maintenance and checks are well organised. Since occupying the building, appropriate risk assessments and checks have been made on the water, gas and electrical installations.  The proprietor has ensured that the building has had an appropriate fire risk assessment. All issues identified were immediately actioned. There is appropriate equipment in place that has been checked by an external company. A fire drill has taken place and staff are trained as fire marshals. Leaders have ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  There is an appropriate risk management policy in place. It gives a clear outline of the purpose of risk assessments and how they should be conducted.  There are a range of detailed risk assessments, including for travel to and use of the local leisure centre for physical education lessons.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has ensured that all the independent school standards checked in this part are met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 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), 18(3), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 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), 21(3)(b), 21(6)  Leaders ensure that all the appropriate pre-employment checks are undertaken when recruiting staff. This includes relevant checks on staff who are in management positions.  The single central record details all the required information for staff and regular visitors and is stored securely.  The proprietor has ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are

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Main inspection findings

met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(1)(c), 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), 29(1)(b)  The proprietor has secured the lease of suitable premises for the school. The building is maintained to a high standard. The building is located at the end of a short cul-de- sac and has secure gated access. The building provides several classroom spaces of varying sizes to accommodate small and larger groups of pupils. There is a library space and a room set out with gym equipment. There is a pastoral room suitable for pupils to participate in therapy or counselling. There are also spaces for pupil to socialise as well as to study. There is a large office space that provides appropriate working space for staff. There are kitchen facilities for staff to use. The

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Main inspection findings

accommodation is arranged over two floors.  All rooms have suitable sources of natural and artificial lighting. The acoustics in all areas are suitable.  There are separate toilet facilities for boys and for girls. There is also a separate toilet available for pupils who are disabled, and this can be used by visitors. There are separate staff toilets.  There is a medical room suitably equipped with a toilet and handwashing facility directly accessible.  Cold water, suitable for drinking, is clearly labelled. It is in the staff kitchen and pupils can access it by requesting that staff fill their water bottles. It is available to pupils throughout the day.  There is outdoor space suitable for playing and socialising outside.  Physical education lessons take place off site at a nearby leisure centre. The school has an appropriate service level agreement in place with the leisure centre to use their facilities, which include changing rooms and showers. There is a comprehensive

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Main inspection findings

risk assessment in place for the journey to the leisure centre and the lessons that will take place there. The risk assessments include actions to reduce the risk to pupils of being in the same facility as members of the public.  The proprietor has ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that the new building meets the requirements of the independent school standards. At the time of the material change, there were 35 pupils on roll. The building has the space to accommodate the number of pupils the school is currently registered for.  The appropriate checks on the building ensure that the safety and well-being of the pupils has been prioritised.  The proprietor has ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has ensured that a suitable accessibility plan is in place that meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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 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 compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £17,500 to £60,000

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School details

Email address info@blackwateracademy.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 26 to 28 April 2022

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 35 N/A N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed N/A Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 33 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 10 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 5 N/A

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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 5 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 5 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 1 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 14 N/A

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Information about this school

 Some of the information held on the government’s ‘Get information about schools’ (GIAS) website is not accurate. GIAS states that the proprietor is Blackwater Academy Ltd, and the address is 68–69 Cecil Street Birmingham B19 3SU. Leaders confirm this information is not correct. The address is now 14 Riverside Dive B33 9BF and the proprietor is Nauman Tassawer.  Blackwater Academy offers places for pupils aged 11 to 20 who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  The school does not have a religious character.  The school use one alternative provider.  The school’s last standard inspection was in April 2022.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to establish if the school meets all of the relevant independent school standards now the school is operating from a new premises. This is the school’s second material change inspection. The first material change took place in September 2018.  The material change has already been implemented.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the person responsible for health and safety and the proprietor.  The inspector toured the premises.  The inspector met with pupils.  The inspector reviewed a range of documentation relating to health and safety.  The inspection also considered the schools safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the independent school standards are met.

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Inspection team

Helen Forrest, 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 looked after children, 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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