The Becklands School

School material change inspection report

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The Becklands School Unit 18, Becklands Park Industrial Estate, York Road, Market Weighton YO43 3GA

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7(a) 7(b)  The school’s detailed safeguarding policy is compliant. The policy is available from the school’s website. It is based on procedures that are already used effectively in the school. Appropriate systems are in place for recording any safeguarding concerns. These procedures will be suitable if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted.  The safeguarding team in the school has experience of developing effective welfare provision. Staff receive a wide range of training linked to safeguarding and welfare. Additionally, they are suitably trained in the behaviour management of pupils. This ensures that they understand how to keep pupils safe. Leaders plan to follow the established induction procedures already in place to recruit new staff. Paragraph 11, 12, 14, 16  The school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

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Main inspection findings

2005. Leaders ensure that regular fire audits and fire-risk assessments are carried out. Any issues that are identified are remedied quickly. For example, the plan of the fire escape route and fire exit signage have been revised and are clearly displayed throughout the school.  Leaders intend to have high staff-to-pupil ratios. Leaders intend numbers of pupils to grow gradually. Staffing levels will then increase accordingly. The planned staff numbers would be appropriate to ensure suitable supervision of pupils if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted.  There is a written health and safety policy in place. This complies with relevant legislation. Leaders have created systems to record health and safety checks. These will be routinely evaluated by leaders.  The written risk assessment policy clearly outlines the responsibilities of staff and leaders. The detailed risk assessments explain the measures to take to identify and

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Main inspection findings

minimise potential risks to pupils’ welfare. This includes the new classrooms and other areas of the school that it is proposed are used for the increased number of pupils.  The proprietor body has ensured that all the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(2), 18(2)(a)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  The appointment of staff is carried out in accordance with statutory guidance. The single central record is already in place. This contains all the required information and is well maintained.  The proprietor body has ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 23(2)  There are sufficient, appropriate toilets and showering facilities in the school’s existent and newly acquired accommodation. These are suitable for the proposed increase in numbers. There are facilities for the use of pupils who may be disabled. These may also be used by other pupils, staff, supply staff, volunteers and visitors, whether or not they are disabled. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  Leaders have ensured that a high-quality, dedicated medical room is available to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils. This includes washing facilities and is in close proximity to a toilet. The school does not currently cater for pupils with complex medical needs. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The classrooms are well ventilated and both lighting and acoustics are suitable. Classrooms are appropriate for the requirements of the intended curriculum. Leaders

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Main inspection findings

have paid attention to pupils’ welfare and safety within the new area to be used. The new classrooms have been finished to a high standard. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Drinking water is clearly labelled and is available throughout the building and near the new classrooms. Washing facilities are also available close to the learning areas. The temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  There is sufficient outside space for pupils to play safely at breaktimes. It is also large enough for pupils to take part in physical education. The use of two recently refurbished playgrounds mean that this is suitable for the proposed number of pupils. Leaders have appropriate risk assessments in place to ensure the safety of pupils.  The proprietor body has ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be

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Main inspection findings

met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school has published its safeguarding policy on its website. The proprietor body has ensured that this policy is updated at least annually to reflect the most recent statutory guidance.  All of the standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Leaders have already developed the school site and educational provision to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. At the time of the material change inspection, there were 20 pupils on roll. Leaders propose to gradually increase this number to 30 pupils. Leaders have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining the quality of education for all pupils while increasing the number of pupils on roll.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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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 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

Email address steven.hobden@thebecklands.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 21 to 23 September 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 11 to 18 11 to 18

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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 20 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 20 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 20 30

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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 20 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 7 7

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 0.5 0.5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 11 30

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Information about this school

 The school is registered to take pupils up to the age of 18.  The school does not use any alternative providers of education.  Most pupils access some sessions of land-based learning, the majority of which takes place at a local farm.  A standard inspection of the school took place in September 2022. The school was judged to require improvement. In part, this was due to the school having independent school standards (ISS) which were unmet. The school had a progress monitoring inspection in April 2023. At this inspection, the ISS were met. A progress monitoring inspection does not change the overall outcome of a school. The school remains to be judged as requires improvement.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to consider the school’s request for a material change. The proprietor body would like to increase the maximum permitted number of pupils on the school roll from 20 to 30 pupils.  The purpose of the inspection was to establish whether the school is likely to meet the relevant standards if the registration authority granted the requested material change.  The inspection was conducted with two working days’ notice.  The inspector scrutinised the information and policies that are published on the school website.  The inspector met with the headteacher. He met with staff and pupils.  The inspector met with the leaders for safeguarding to review the school’s arrangements for safeguarding pupils and staff. The inspector looked at the school’s single central record of the checks that leaders carry out before staff are employed to work at the school.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector reviewed additional documentation, including the school’s health and safety policy, risk assessments and fire safety checks.  The inspector toured the school site with the headteacher. The inspector visited the additional buildings that have been put in place to support the increase in pupil numbers to check that these are compliant with the standards.

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Inspection team

Marcus Newby, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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