Harpurhey Alternative Provision School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Harpurhey Alternative Provision School Christ Church Parish Hall, Water Street, Harpurhey, Manchester, Lancashire M9 5US

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i)-2(2)(e)(iii)  At the previous monitoring inspection in September 2023, the school’s curriculum did not take account of the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. There was no scheme of work in place for physical education (PE). Moreover, the school had not ensured that pupils received impartial careers information to help them to fulfil their potential and move on to appropriate next steps in education, employment or training.  In the school’s action plan, which was evaluated in January 2024, it was judged that this standard was unlikely to be met if the proposed actions were implemented. Since then, leaders have revised the action plan. They have added detail and specificity to the planned actions.  At the time of this progress monitoring inspection, the school has put in place a suitable

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Main inspection findings

curriculum for pupils to study. There are schemes of work and curriculum plans for all of the subjects that pupils study. These are adapted to meet the ages and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND). Pupils in key stages 3 and 4 have lessons in English, mathematics, science, art, physical education and humanities. There are also lessons in personal, social, health and economic and careers education.  The school has worked with staff from pupils’ home schools to develop short-, medium- and long-term plans that reflect the curriculum content that is required to be taught. This means that when pupils return to their home schools, they have followed a similar curriculum to their classmates.  At the time of this monitoring inspection, every pupil has a weekly careers lesson. This supports pupils to make informed choices about their next steps. Pupils have been

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Main inspection findings

helped with their college applications and with visits to colleges. Work experience is now in place for pupils in year 10. The school has engaged an external careers adviser to support key stage 4 pupils. Paragraph 3, 3(d), 3(f)  At the previous progress monitoring inspection, the curriculum was not delivered effectively. The learning that pupils received did not help them to build new knowledge securely on what they already knew. The range of resources to support pupils’ learning, such as textbooks and literature, was very limited.  At the time of this monitoring inspection, the inspector found that the implementation of the curriculum is effective. Teachers are checking pupils’ understanding consistently well to pinpoint and address gaps in knowledge. Pupils are making connections between prior and current learning. Leaders have purchased textbooks and literature to support pupils in their learning.

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Main inspection findings

 The school now meets all of the previously unmet requirements and independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 12  At the previous progress monitoring inspection, there were inconsistencies in the execution and recording of some checks to minimise the risk of fire.  At this monitoring inspection, leaders have put appropriate systems and processes in place to ensure that the school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The proprietor ensures that fire-safety checks are routinely undertaken to maintain fire-fighting equipment. Regular fire drills take place to ensure that everyone knows the evacuation procedures in the event of a fire. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  At the previous monitoring inspection, the school had not developed or implemented a suitable risk assessment policy. Steps had not been taken to identify the hazards and

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Main inspection findings

associated risks in relation to the school site.  Leaders have addressed weaknesses in this aspect of the school’s work urgently and effectively. The school now has a suitable risk assessment policy in place. Risk assessments identify suitable control measures to ensure the safety of pupils and staff, including relating to the use of the school’s outdoor area at breaktimes or during PE sessions. These risk assessments are updated regularly to ensure that pupils are kept as safe as possible. The school ensures that off-site visits are thoroughly risk assessed.  The school now meets the previously unmet standards in this part. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  During the previous progress monitoring inspection, the outdoor space for pupils to play games or to engage in physical activity was not safe.  At this progress monitoring inspection, the school had completed extensive renovation of

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Main inspection findings

this outside space. The school ensures that there are daily checks of the area to ensure that it is safe. There is a risk assessment in place which ensures that hazards and potential risks are identified and addressed.  The school now meets the previously unmet standard in this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  At the previous progress monitoring, leaders had a limited understanding of the requirements of the standards. They did not have effective systems in place to check compliance with the standards.  At this progress monitoring inspection, leaders have implemented the improvements outlined in their revised action plan. Leaders and governors have significantly developed their understanding of the requirements for independent schools and are now actively and thoroughly checking compliance with all the standards.  The proprietor is now fulfilling their responsibilities effectively so that the standards are

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Main inspection findings

likely to be met consistently.  The school now meets the previously unmet requirements in this part.

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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)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 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. – 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(a) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills. – 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that– – 2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner; – 2(2)(e)(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options; and – 2(2)(e)(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential.

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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(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable- – 29(1)(a) physical education to be provided to pupils in accordance with the school curriculum; and – 29(1)(b) pupils to play outside.

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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; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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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) £13,000 to £21,000

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School details

Email address admin@haps.manchester.sch.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 29 November to 1 December 2022

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Information about this school

 The previous standard inspection took place from 29 November to 1 December 2022.  The school operates from premises at Christ Church Parish Hall, Water Street, Harpurhey, Manchester M9 5US.  The school is registered to admit up to 25 pupils.  A new proprietor has taken over the school since the previous standard inspection. The Department for Education has approved this change.  All the pupils at the school have social, emotional and mental health needs.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.

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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 inspection was conducted without notice.  This was the school’s second progress monitoring inspection since its previous standard inspection November 2022. The school’s first progress monitoring inspection was September 2023.  Since the previous inspection, leaders were asked to submit another action plan. This was judged by Ofsted to be not acceptable in January 2024. Since then, the school has amended the action plan and added detail and specificity.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other leaders. She also met with some pupils.  The inspector met with the proprietor, the headteacher and other leaders.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector spoke with pupils about their experience of school.  The inspector examined documents, including the safeguarding policy, the curriculum policy and documents related to the standards. These included documents relating to the health, safety and welfare of pupils. The inspector reviewed the single central record.  The inspector made a tour of the premises.

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Inspection team

Rebecca Sharples, 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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