Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School

School pre-registration inspection report

p.1

Ortus Education Ltd – West Raynham School 1854 Hollow Lane, West Raynham, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 7HH

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(2), 2(2)(a) to 2(2)(i), 2A  The proprietor body intends for the proposed school to provide education for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It is likely that pupils will have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. The proprietor body has designed the school’s curriculum and pastoral support for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs; autism; and attention deficit hyperactivity. They have suitable plans, provision and training schemes in place to ensure staff meet pupils’ needs.  The proprietor body anticipates that pupils attending the school will have experienced disruptions in their education previously. The school’s curriculum has been designed to help pupils catch up and learn what they need to be successful in education.  The school aims to provide a broad curriculum based on the national curriculum. This

p.1

Main inspection findings

will be supplemented with enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities. The school’s intended curriculum includes linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education. The school has high aspirations for pupils’ achievement, including a range of accredited qualifications such as GCSE, vocational and functional skills qualifications.  In line with the school’s ethos, the curriculum includes opportunities for pupils to develop personally, emotionally and socially. For example, the curriculum will provide opportunities for pupils to take responsibility for various functions within the school.  The school’s plans include a well-designed personal, social and health education programme. Pupils will experience a substantial careers education programme, including practical activities such as two work placements, job application workshops and mock interviews. The school has planned a suitable relationships and sex

p.1

Main inspection findings

education and health education programme. Staff will teach pupils about how to stay safe at home, in the community and online. Paragraphs 3, 3(a) to 3(j), 4  The school’s curriculum plans provide sufficient guidance for teachers to arrange and deliver suitable learning activities and sequences of lessons for each subject.  The school has clear assessment procedures for teachers to check what pupils know and can do. Leaders and teachers will use this information to adjust the teaching and support pupils receive.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a), 5(b)(i) to 5(d)(iii)  The school’s curriculum provides pupils with opportunities to learn about the diverse lifestyles and beliefs in contemporary society. The school intends to prepare pupils to live harmoniously with people who are different.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 The school plans for teachers to enable pupils to make positive contributions to British society. The school’s curriculum and enrichment provision include opportunities for pupils to learn about being citizens in a modern democracy.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 9 to 10  The school has suitable arrangements in place to safeguard pupils. The school’s training and policies will provide the necessary guidance for staff to recognise signs of potential harm and know how to respond when concerns arise.  A teacher, the headteacher and a director are designated safeguarding leads and have undertaken the required training. As the school grows, a further member of staff will be trained to be a designated safeguarding lead. All new staff and governors will be trained at an appropriate level and will receive regular updates.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 The school’s behaviour policy clarifies for staff how they will manage behaviour to develop the intended school ethos. The school intends to use a restorative approach when responding to incidents of unacceptable behaviour. Staff will help pupils learn how to take responsibility for their own actions. The school’s plans are likely to minimise the risks of bullying and deal with it swiftly and effectively should it arise. Paragraphs 11 to 16(b)  The school has an appropriate health and safety policy in place. The school identifies health and safety risks, and fire risks and puts effective measures in place to reduce them. The school ensures that the site is well maintained. There are regular safety checks in place. Staff act swiftly and effectively when checks raise concerns.  The school has planned for an appropriate number of staff to ensure pupils are well supervised throughout the school day.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 The school has in place effective risk assessments. These cover the range of experiences for pupils when at school and visiting off-site locations.  The school has suitable admission and attendance registers to record the necessary information about pupils.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(7)(b)  Members of the proprietor body and some staff have been trained to know how to recruit appropriate staff. The school has in place all the necessary background checks regarding adults at the school.  The school understands the necessary procedures to appoint suitable supply staff.  The school’s single central record of background checks is well maintained.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  Prior to the proprietor body gaining the use of the school’s premises, the site was used as a community primary school. The proprietor body has refurbished the buildings and surrounding outdoor spaces. Rooms have suitable acoustics, lighting and ventilation.  The school has appropriate toilet and washing facilities. The school has drinking water available and appropriately labelled.  The school’s medical room has all the necessary equipment and dedicated toilets.  The school has a wealth of outdoor space for pupils to play and socialise. There is also a covered seating area. The school site is bordered by security fencing.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1)(a) to 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a) to 32(3)(g)  The school does not yet have a fully functioning website. The proprietor body has

p.3

Main inspection findings

provided all required information in a comprehensive prospectus.  The school has procedures in place to share information with the local authority about the income and expenditure of funding received for pupils with EHC plans. The school also has effective means for reporting to parents about how well pupils are doing at school and pupils’ achievements.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  The school has an appropriate complaints policy in place. It outlines what parents need to do to make a complaint and how these will be managed by the school.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  Members of the proprietor body, governors and the headteacher have demonstrated the knowledge and skills needed to make sure the independent school standards will

p.3

Main inspection findings

be consistently met. They all have substantial relevant experiences in education, including educating pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.  The proprietor body has a well-considered plan for the school’s growth. In the first instance, they intend to admit pupils starting in Years 3 to 6. The school intends to add new year groups each term. After arriving, pupils will remain at the school until they finish their GCSEs in Year 11.  The proprietor body and governors have procedures in place to check the strengths and weaknesses of the school accurately. The school has in place a governing body to ensure that the current headteacher, who is also the chair of the proprietor body, is held accountable for her work. Governors have already started to provide the necessary support and challenge to ensure that the school makes a successful start.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

p.4

Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has a suitable accessibility plan in place. The proprietor body, governors and the headteacher have demonstrated in their policies and plans for the school their commitment to inclusion, diversity and equality.  This requirement is likely to be met by the proposed school.

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.6

Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

p.6

Proposed school details

Email address directors@ortuseducation.co.uk

p.6

Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

p.6

recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 5 to 17 5 to 17 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 24 24

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 24

p.7

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

p.7

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 24

p.7

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable 24

p.7

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 24

p.7

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 4

p.7

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

p.7

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 10

p.7

Information about this proposed school

 The proprietor body intends for the school to open on 3 June 2024. The proprietor intends to increase the number of pupils on roll gradually to reach its capacity of 24 pupils. The proposed location is 1854 Hollow Lane, West Raynham, Norfolk, NR21 7HH.  Pupils attending the school are likely to have a range of educational needs, including social, emotional and mental health needs; autism; and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  Leaders plan for pupils to receive therapeutic, welfare and well-being support as part of the school’s curriculum. Although the school will cater for post-16 pupils, they will be completing key stage 4 qualifications.  The school is uncertain about whether it will use the services of alternative providers.

p.7

Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned the inspection to determine whether the proposed school is likely to meet the independent school standards if it is approved to open.  This is the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher, who is also the chair of the proprietor body, a director and two governors.  The inspector toured the school to check on the suitability of the premises. He reviewed the health and safety and fire hazard assessments made by external specialists.  The inspector reviewed a range of documents, including curriculum plans. He reviewed relevant policies. The inspector reviewed safeguarding documents, including the single central record of background checks undertaken to ensure staff are suitable to work with pupils.

p.8

Inspection team

Al Mistrano, 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 .

p.8

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.

p.9

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 .

p.9

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.

p.9

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspection team

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

p.9