Progress Schools - Liverpool

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Progress Schools – Toxteth 115 Upper Warwick Street, Liverpool L8 8HD

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2, 2(1), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i)  At the school’s standard inspection in October 2022, this standard was unmet. Inspectors found that leaders had not ensured that the curriculum took account of pupils’ prior learning, needs or interests. The curriculum did not set out the important knowledge that pupils needed to be ready for the next stage in their education, employment or training. Inspectors found that leaders had not made appropriate arrangements to ensure that pupils learned to read accurately and fluently. Leaders had not ensured that pupils were fully prepared for life in British society.  At the first progress monitoring inspection in July 2023, the inspector found that there was a suitable curriculum policy in place. This was supported by plans and schemes of work that leaders were in the process of redesigning. However, leaders had not finalised

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Main inspection findings

their curriculum thinking. It was unclear what pupils would learn, and when.  When the school’s action plan was evaluated in November 2023, it was judged that leaders’ plans to improve the quality of education for pupils were sufficient to meet this standard.  At this progress monitoring inspection, it was found that leaders had put schemes of work in place that set out the key knowledge that pupils need to learn and remember. Leaders have considered the order that pupils will learn new knowledge to support them to know and remember more over time. There are a range of assessments used when pupils join the school. Leaders use the information they gain from these assessments to find out where pupils may have gaps in their knowledge. Paragraph 3, 3(e)  At the school’s standard inspection in October 2022, this standard was unmet. Inspectors found that teachers had not been provided with appropriate training to support them to

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Main inspection findings

teach pupils to read well. Leaders did not ensure that teachers checked regularly for any gaps in pupils’ learning, or that pupils could remember earlier learning. Leaders had not ensured that staff had the expertise to make appropriate adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.  At the first progress monitoring inspection in July 2023, the inspector found that leaders had taken some actions to resolve the weaknesses identified at the standard inspection. Leaders expected teachers to follow their curriculum plans and schemes of work. Nonetheless, many lessons were taught by teachers who were not subject specialists. These staff did not feel well equipped to teach the knowledge set out in the subject plans. To remedy this, leaders set out a programme of subject-specific training and support for teachers.  When the school’s action plan was evaluated in November 2023, it was judged that

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Main inspection findings

leaders’ plans to improve teachers’ understanding of their aims for the implementation of the curriculum were sufficient. The actions included staff being part of subject working groups.  At this progress monitoring inspection, it was found that leaders had put in place a programme to support the assessment of reading. Leaders have provided a range of resources to support the delivery of this reading programme. Pupils read regularly and can access books that match their reading ability.  Leaders support teachers to assess pupils on an ongoing basis to check for gaps in their knowledge. This, coupled with coherent curriculum plans, means that learning is more closely matched to pupils’ needs. Through the curriculum subject working groups, teachers have a clearer understanding of leaders’ vision for the implementation of the curriculum.  The previously unmet independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part are

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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)  At the school’s standard inspection in October 2022, this standard was unmet. Inspectors found that the proprietor had failed to ensure that all the standards were met and it had not carried out its statutory obligations, including in relation to keeping pupils safe. The proprietor had not held leaders to account for the poor quality of education that pupils received. Inspectors found that the proprietor did not have the capacity to improve the school.  At the time of the progress monitoring inspection in July 2023, the inspector found that there had been some improvements to the school’s curriculum. However, leaders had not ensured that there were appropriate subject curriculum plans and schemes of work. In addition, they had not taken steps to ensure that teachers had adequate subject knowledge to be able to teach the curriculum well.

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Main inspection findings

 When the school’s action plan was evaluated in November 2023, it was judged that leaders’ plans to improve the quality of education for pupils were sufficient to address these standards.  At this progress monitoring inspection, it was found that leaders have put into place all of the actions within their action plan. The school meets all of the standards checked during this inspection. There are systems and procedures in place for the proprietor and school leaders to quality assure the effectiveness of their actions to improve the school. This includes checking their ongoing compliance with the standards. The proprietor ensured that systems and procedures to keep pupils safe are robust.  The previously unmet standard in this part 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)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work– – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.

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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(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £11,000 to £31,500

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School details

Email address liverpool@progress-schools.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 4 to 6 October 2022

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Information about this school

 The previous standard inspection took place on 4 to 6 October 2022.  The school operates from premises at 115 Upper Warwick Street, Liverpool L8 8HD.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provision and one registered alternative provision for a small number of pupils.  The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Some pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The proprietor provides a breakfast club for pupils.  The school is registered for up to 30 pupils.

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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 is the school’s second progress monitoring inspection following the standard inspection in October 2022.  The school’s first progress monitoring inspection following the standard inspection was July 2023.  The Department for Education required the school to prepare an action plan following the standard inspection in October 2022. Ofsted evaluated this plan on March 2023. This action plan was not accepted.  The Department for Education required the school to prepare an action plan following the first progress monitoring inspection in July 2023. Ofsted evaluated this plan in November 2023. This action plan was accepted.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out without notice.  The inspector met with the headteacher. She also spoke online with representatives of the proprietor, including the managing director.  The inspector visited a sample of lessons, met with some of the teachers and looked at examples of pupils’ work.  The inspector reviewed a wide range of documentation. This included information relating to the standards, the school’s curriculum, leaders’ improvement priorities, leaders’ approach to safeguarding pupils and the checks that leaders carry out on newly appointed staff, including supply staff.

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Inspection team

Jane Dennis, 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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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Inspection team

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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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