OMG Education

School pre-registration inspection report

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OMG Education 4 Pinchin Street, London E1 1SA

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have written curriculum and assessment policies that are likely to be suitable in providing pupils aged 14 to 16 with temporary alternative-provision placements. The policies are supported by appropriate schemes of work that cover all the required areas of learning for secondary-aged pupils. Pupils will study the core subjects, physical education, geography, computing and either music technology or business administration. Pupils will be able to complete qualifications, including at GCSE, depending on their situation. Curriculum plans are likely to take account of pupils’ different ages, interests and abilities, including any pupils who may have education, health and care (EHC) plans. Leaders are likely to ensure that the curriculum is well resourced. However, leaders’ plans to recruit teachers with sufficient subject expertise are embryonic. The proposed school is not ready to provide pupils with a high quality

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Main inspection findings

of education that reflects the ambition of the proposed curriculum.  Leaders have planned a suitable personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum, which includes coverage of fundamental British values and equality. Leaders have planned for the required relationships and sex education (RSE) statutory content to be taught as part of the PSHE education curriculum. Leaders plan to consult with parents and carers when the school opens. The draft RSE policy explains to parents how they can withdraw their children from sex education.  Leaders have suitable plans to provide pupils with regular, impartial and up-to-date careers information, advice and guidance. This will complement the planned teaching about employability as part of PSHE education.  Some of the independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part are not likely to be met. These are listed in full in the report’s annex.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed curriculum includes twice-weekly PSHE education, assemblies, mentoring sessions and tutorials. A programme of visits and visitors is also planned. Through these activities, pupils are likely to be encouraged to respect differences, including in relation to the protected characteristics. The planned curriculum includes teaching pupils about a range of religions, faiths and cultures. Pupils are likely to learn about British values, respectful relationships and the diversity of modern society.  The proposed school’s curriculum policy makes it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan political views. Teachers are likely to be trained to ensure that balanced points of view are always presented in the teaching of any political topic.  The standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance. Designated leaders have completed some suitable online training. However, leaders were made aware of some of their legal duties during the inspection. Their knowledge of the latest ‘Keeping children safe in education’ guidance is not strong enough. Of particular concern is the safer-recruitment process, which pays very little regard to statutory guidance. Leaders’ understanding of the process does not reflect what is written in their safer recruitment policy. The school’s proposed system for tracking safeguarding concerns, referrals made, and actions taken, is not likely to be effective, as it consists of a combination of word-processed documents and emails only.  The proposed school’s suitable behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to be implemented well. Leaders will use a spreadsheet to record incidents of serious

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Main inspection findings

misbehaviour and any sanctions imposed as a result.  The proposed school’s health and safety policy is likely to be implemented well overall. However, arrangements for complying with fire-safety legislation are too weak. Though an external fire risk assessment report for the proposed school has been recently completed, all the required weekly, monthly and annual logs and certificates of fire-safety checks were either out-of-date or unavailable.  Leaders have written a suitable first-aid policy. There are several staff with in-date first-aid training. The processes for managing and recording accidents, injuries and medication are likely to be suitable.  Plans to supervise pupils are likely to be appropriate. Class sizes will be up to 15 pupils. Pupils will always be supervised at breaktimes and lunchtimes.  The school’s admission and attendance registers are not likely to be compliant with the requirements of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.

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Main inspection findings

They do not include all the required information.  The proposed school’s risk-assessment policy and written risk assessments are likely to be suitable if implemented well. However, leaders have not thought thoroughly enough about the potential risks posed by the premises, as outlined in Part 5.  Some of the standards in this part are not likely to be met. These are listed in full in the report’s annex.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The proposed school’s single central register is likely to be suitable overall, as it includes all the required, dated, checks.  However, prohibition from teaching checks have not been completed on all those involved in teaching pupils, and leaders were unclear about when to complete additional checks on those who have lived and worked overseas.  Some of the standards in this part are not likely to be met. These are listed in full in the report’s annex.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The premises are likely to be generally fit for purpose. There are four suitable classrooms, including specialist music technology rooms, a suitable medical room facility, and two open-plan areas for learning, discussion and recreation.  Bottled drinking water is readily available to pupils. The hot water supply is safely regulated. Lighting inside and out, and the building’s acoustics, are all likely to be suitable. There are suitable toilet and washing facilities.  The disabled toilet on the ground floor includes a changing and shower facility. However, there are plans to also provide changing room and shower facilities at a public leisure centre for physical education lessons that will take place there instead of the public sports pitch opposite the school.  On the top floor, some windows open far too widely, presenting an obvious danger. In

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Main inspection findings

addition, leaders have not considered the implications of having up to 60 pupils aged 14 to 16 on site. For example, they have not fully considered the management of pupil movement, access control or site security.  Some of the standards in this part are not likely to be met. These are listed in full in the report’s annex.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  Leaders are in the process of ensuring that all the required information is added to a new, separate section on the organisation’s website. They know which information to include, such as policies, guidance, contact information and factual information such as that about complaints and examinations.  Leaders are aware of their statutory duties should pupils with EHC plans attend the proposed school, and are in the process of recruiting for a special educational needs and disabilities coordinator. However, they have not considered how they will meet the standard relating to providing an annual statement of income and expenditure for funded pupils with EHC plans.  Leaders have not prepared a suitable template to report pupils’ progress and attainment in all subjects to their parents on at least an annual basis.  Some of the standards in this part are not likely to be met. These are listed in full in

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The proposed school’s complaints policy and formal complaints log have been written in line with the requirements in this part. If implemented well, leaders’ proposed procedure is likely to ensure that informal and formal complaints are managed appropriately.  The standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  This school is currently providing unregistered alternative provision to pupils of compulsory school age.  The proprietor and the proposed school’s leaders are in the early stages of knowing and understanding all the independent school standards.  Some of the standards are not likely to be met, including that in this part.  Registration is not recommended.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school’s accessibility plan includes a range of suitable actions to improve access to the curriculum, written information and the physical environment. This requirement is therefore likely to be met.  The premises have three floors served by a lift which is currently out of order. In terms of physical access to the classrooms, which are on the first and second floors, this is not possible until the lift is returned to working order.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £13,500 to £24,375

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age 3 Number of pupils of compulsory school age who have an education, health and care plan, or who are looked after by a local authority Total hours operating as a school per week 25

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 20

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 14 to 16 14 to 16 Registration not recommended Number of pupils on the school roll 3 60 Registration not recommended

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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 Up to 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 3 Up to 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 1 Up to 5

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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 1 Up to 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 2 3

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Information about this proposed school

 One Miah Group (OMG) Education intends to register as an independent alternative provider in Tower Hamlets.  As an organisation, OMG Education provides a range of post-16 study, adult education, mentoring and prison rehabilitation programmes. They have recently admitted a small number of pupils of compulsory school age, including those with EHC plans. OMG Education is therefore currently operating as an unregistered independent school.  The premises are currently shared with another provider. This arrangement ends in February 2024, when the premises will be occupied by OMG Education only.  As a proposed alternative provider, the proprietor does not intend to make any use of other alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted with two days of notice.  The inspector met with three staff, including the proposed school’s proprietor and headteacher. He toured the premises and considered a range of evidence to check the likelihood of the proposed school meeting the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  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; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 18(2)(b) no such person carries out work, or intends to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act, or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction; – 18(2)(e) in the case of any person for whom, by reason of that person living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining such a certificate is not sufficient to establish the person’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks are made as the proprietor considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State; and  18(3) The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub- paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 32(1)(f) an annual written report of each registered pupil’s progress and attainment in the main subject areas taught is provided to the parents of that registered pupil except that no report need be provided where the parent has agreed otherwise; – 32(1)(h) where a pupil wholly or partly funded by a local authority (except where funding is solely for free of charge early years provision in accordance with the duty contained in section 7 of the Childcare Act 2006) is registered at the school, an annual account of income received and expenditure incurred by the school in respect of that pupil is provided to the local authority and, on request, to the Secretary of State;

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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; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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