Caelum House School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Kent House, Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1BX

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  The proposed school has suitable curriculum and assessment policies that are likely to be implemented well. Drawing on their expertise and experience, leaders have constructed ambitious and well-sequenced schemes of work that are suitable for Reception-age children. Plans take into account children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including those children who may have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.  The intended provision for personal, social, health and economic education is woven carefully though the planned curriculum for early years. This includes age-appropriate coverage of important ideas, such as respecting difference, privacy, healthy eating and emotional well-being.  Resources are likely to be of a good quality and suitable for supporting teaching, learning and play.  The headteacher is highly qualified and has extensive expertise in early years

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Main inspection findings

education and in therapies. She has experience of appointing suitably qualified staff for the trust’s two registered nursery schools. Plans are in place to recruit additional staff for this proposed school.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed school has considered how it intends to promote children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. This will include through visits to landmarks in London, such as the Houses of Parliament. Children will learn about different religious events. For example, leaders intend to invite parents and carers of different backgrounds to come in to talk about, and show artefacts and teach children songs, from their home countries. Through age-appropriate reading books, children will be taught about ethnicity and prejudice.  The proposed school’s code of conduct for staff lays out the statutory requirements on political impartiality in schools. It makes it clear that staff should not make any reference to their own political views to pupils.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  Leaders of the proposed school have knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with statutory safeguarding guidance in the trust’s registered nursery schools. The proposed school’s safeguarding policy is compliant with the latest statutory guidance.  The policies for behaviour and anti-bullying are suitable and are likely to be implemented well. Systems for recording incidents of misbehaviour and resulting sanctions are in place.  The proposed site’s landlords carry out a range of health and safety checks regularly. This includes using external experts to carry out annual fire-safety risk assessments and various other safety checks. The proposed school’s leaders, in addition to the landlords, have also drawn up policies for health and safety. The school intends for all new staff to have training in health and safety, including for fire evacuations, from the

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Main inspection findings

building’s site manager before commencing work.  The proposed school has produced a suitable first-aid policy and its intention is for all members of staff to be trained in paediatric first aid. An incident book is in place. Leaders have also considered the approach they will take to manage pupils’ medication.  The leaders have produced suitable registers for admissions and attendance.  With the intended high staff-to-child ratio, children will be under appropriate levels of adult supervision throughout the day.  The school has carried out several risk assessments. These include for the use of the staircases, the classroom and for taking children on visits beyond the school site.  Leaders have ensured that 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 All paragraphs  The proprietor body has a safer recruitment policy in place that meets current statutory requirements. The framework for the single central record of pre- employment checks is suitable.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The proposed school is located on the basement floor of Westminster Synagogue. The premises are maintained to a high standard and are clean and safe. Acoustics and lighting, both indoors and outdoors, as well as access to drinking water, are suitable.  The premises include two suitable classrooms. There are two small outdoor areas. The school also intends to take children to the nearby Hyde Park. These facilities are suitable for teaching physical education and for recreation.  There are suitable toileting and washing facilities, and the hot-water temperature does

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Main inspection findings

not present a scalding risk. Leaders have identified an office that will also serve as a medical room. It is near to a toilet, and leaders plan to install a sink in the office, giving access to running water.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  The proposed school is aware of all of the documentation, information and policies that it must make available to parents, inspectors and local authorities on request. Leaders have prepared a website for sharing this information. They intend for it to go live once their application for registration is approved.  Leaders have prepared suitable templates for reporting to parents on how well their children are attaining and progressing. Leaders are also aware of their duty to provide funding authorities with annual statements of income and expenditure for pupils with EHC plans and their duty to provide reasonably required information for annual reviews.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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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 are likely to be suitable. The policy takes a graded approach, from initial informal resolution to convening a formal panel hearing if necessary. The planned written record includes the stage of resolution and any action taken as a result.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  The proprietor body has a sound knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards and the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage. It has experience of running two special nursery schools. Leaders are likely, therefore, to ensure that they meet their statutory duties consistently.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school’s accessibility plan is suitable. It is likely to meet this requirement.

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Main inspection findings

Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  The requirements for ensuring children’s safeguarding and welfare requirements are likely to be met by the proposed school’s arrangements.  The proposed early years curriculum sets out clearly leaders’ plans for teaching children all of the seven areas of learning.  Leaders have ensured that the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage are likely to be met.

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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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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 4 to 5 4 to 5 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 10 10

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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 10 Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 10

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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 6

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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 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable Not yet determined

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 0

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Information about this proposed school

 Caelum House School intends to register as an independent day school in the London Borough of Westminster.  The proposed school intends to open in May 2024. It plans to cater for children with SEND, to include those with the following needs: cognitive and learning needs; speech, language and communication needs; autism; moderate learning difficulties; and specific learning difficulties.  The proposed proprietor runs two existing day nursery schools. There are Play2Talk Pimlico, 55 Moreton Street, London SW1V 2NY (URN 2740300) and Play2Talk Kent House, Westminster Synagogue, Rutland Gardens, London SW7 1BX (URN 2749082). Neither of these has been inspected.  Leaders do not plan to make any use of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to assess whether the provision is likely to meet all of the independent school standards and other requirements if registered as an independent school.  This is the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was carried out with three days’ notice.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor, who is likely to be the proposed school’s initial headteacher. The inspector also met with the premises manager and had a telephone conversation with the chair of the governing body.  The inspector toured the premises and looked at a range of documentary evidence to consider the likelihood of the proposed school meeting all the independent school standards and statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection team

David Radomsky, 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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