River House Montessori School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Unit C, Great Eastern Enterprise Centre, 3 Millharbour, London E14 9XP

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(e) and 2(2)(e)(i)  The previous progress monitoring inspection in July 2023 found that although pupils explored a range of career options as part of personal, social, health and economic education, leaders had not made clear plans to ensure that they receive impartial careers advice.  This inspection confirms that, as outlined in the school’s post-inspection action plan, an independent careers advice service has been commissioned. The external provider is booked in to provide careers workshops for pupils aged 11 to 14 and personalised advice and guidance sessions for pupils aged 14 to 16.  These independent school standards are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 16 and 16(a)  The previous inspection found that although risk assessments showed that leaders suitably identify and consider risks to pupils, the school did not have an appropriate and up-to-date risk assessment policy in place.  This inspection found that, as confirmed in the school’s action plan, a suitable risk assessment policy is now in place. The policy shows appropriate consideration of the approaches to assessing risk as well as guidance on how risk assessments should be completed. It clearly identifies how risk assessments are carried out and the school’s procedures for monitoring and review.  This independent school standard is now met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  The previous inspection found that the proprietors had not established a means to fulfil some of their core functions. Leaders did not have robust systems in place to check the

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Main inspection findings

effectiveness of their work and to ensure that the independent school standards are met consistently.  The school’s action plan was not specific enough about how the proprietors would ensure that oversight of the school’s work is suitably rigorous.  This inspection found that leaders have thought carefully about the few remaining unmet requirements identified at the first progress monitoring inspection. They have ensured that these are now met. The inspection also found that the proposed ‘overview and scrutiny’ committee has now been established to provide external governance. The body of six people, who have a range of skills and professional experience, has recently agreed its terms of reference and nominated a chair. At the heart of its work will be ensuring that leaders know, and ensure compliance with, all the independent school standards.  This independent school standard is now met.

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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 were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that– – 2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Proprietor River House Montessori School Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) Up to £21,280 (depending on hours)

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10 to 12 May 2022

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Information about this school

 This is an independent Montessori day school for boys and girls aged three to 16. There are currently pupils up to Year 10 only.  The named headteacher is not involved in the day-to-day leadership and management of the school. Janet Pearson fulfils this role. Both are members of the proprietor body.  The school makes no use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This was the school’s second progress monitoring inspection since its last graded inspection in May 2022. The inspection was conducted without notice.  Since the previous inspection, leaders were asked to submit another action plan. This was judged by Ofsted to be not acceptable in October 2023 and was subsequently rejected by the Department for Education (DfE).  The focus of the inspection was to check whether the school complies with particular requirements in parts 1, 3 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspector met with two senior leaders, including the designated safeguarding lead.

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Information about this inspection

He toured the premises, met with a group of pupils and considered evidence relating to the school’s careers programme and risk assessment arrangements.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements. The relevant requirements in parts 3 and 6 of the independent school standards continue to be met.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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