York Steiner School

School material change inspection report

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York Steiner School Danesmead, Fulford Cross, York YO10 4PB

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 1, 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(c), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(c), 2(A)(1)(d), 2(A)(1)(e), 2A(1)(f), 2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3), 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j), 4  The school has proposed schemes of work ready for implementation in key stage 4. The school has carefully designed the upper school curriculum to consider the Steiner ethos. It will enable pupils to gain appropriate qualifications that further education settings recognise.  The upper school curriculum will focus on pupils acquiring English and mathematics GCSEs, alongside an integrated suite of qualifications which includes modules such as global awareness, digital futures, languages and physical education. The grading for

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Main inspection findings

this qualification aligns with GCSE outcome grades.  The key stage 4 curriculum considers pupils’ starting points. The school will continue to hold pupils’ progress meetings to identify pupils who need additional catch up sessions in any subject.  The school plans to access training for the specialist staff who will teach the proposed curriculum. This will help to ensure that pupils acquire new knowledge and make good progress.  The school adheres to the statutory requirements of relationships and sex education while observing the Steiner values. It has mapped out the key stage 4 units to include forming and maintaining respectful, positive relationships, consent and discrimination.  The school has considered how its current careers programme will extend to meet the needs of the upper school pupils. There is a programme that ensures that pupils in upper school will participate in work experience.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)  The school has created a personal, social and health education programme that builds effectively on the current Year 9 plans.  The school’s personal development programme actively promotes fundamental British values and the protected characteristics.  The school proposes that all upper school pupils will access the global awareness strand of the new proposed key stage 4 curriculum. This strand has strength in addressing all aspects of British values. For example, the units include exploring

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Main inspection findings

causes of conflict, democratic processes, politics and protest.  The school has plans to enrich this curriculum for key stage 4 with an international residential where pupils have the opportunity to experience an exchange package with pupils from different Steiner schools. This will promote active citizenship.  The school already embraces a wealth of different faiths, cultures and beliefs. This will continue in the upper school, promoting principles of respect and tolerance.  The school proposes that all key stage 4 pupils will study personal and social skills. This qualification includes units on creative thinking skills, collaborative learning and healthy self-care.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  At the last inspection, these standards were met.  The school ensures that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school. It engages with support services, such as a clinical psychologist and the school counsellor, to offer appropriate therapies.  All staff receive annual safeguarding training.  The school’s designated safeguarding leads meet weekly to analyse any safeguarding reports they receive. This ensures that there is regular reflection and continuous review of the support for pupils and families.  The school continues to meet these standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b)  These standards were met at the previous standard inspection in January 2022 and subsequently at the additional inspection in September 2022.  The school continues to keep the single central record up to date to record the checks that are made on staff before their appointment.  The school does not employ supply staff.  These standards continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school publishes its safeguarding policy on its website. The school’s safeguarding policy is informed by the relevant statutory guidance and is reviewed annually.  These standards were met at the last inspection and continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and school leaders have a clear rationale for making the material change. There has been due diligence in consulting stakeholders to ensure that adding a key stage is viable.  Leaders have demonstrated good skills and knowledge in planning to continue to meet the standards when the number on roll rises.  The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and continue 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 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 likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £3,000 to £9,750 according to income

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School details

Email address reception@yorksteinerschool.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 26 to 28 January 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 3 to 14 3 to 16 3 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 174 217 217

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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 145 188

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 22 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 3 4

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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 3 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 23 27

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 31 34

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 4 4

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Information about this school

 The school follows the Steiner Waldorf curriculum. It currently accepts pupils aged three to 14 years old.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in January 2022, when the school was judged not to meet one of the requirements of the standards. A review of this standard was made in September 2022. At that point, the school met all the standards.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This was a material change inspection carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to evaluate the school’s proposal to add a new key stage, increasing the number of pupils on roll.  This is the first material change sought by the school.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the special educational needs and disabilities coordinator, the human resources manager and two trustees.  The inspector looked at the proposed curriculum design for key stage 4 pupils and spoke to the headteacher about the sequencing of learning.  The inspector evaluated the school’s proposed provision for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development for pupils in Years 10 and 11.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders; and considered the extent to

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Information about this inspection

which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.

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Inspection team

Alison Stephenson, 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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