Weston Point College

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Weston Point College Picow Farm Road, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 4UN

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2, 2(1)–2(1)(b)(i)  At the previous standard inspection in November 2023, inspectors found that leaders had not ensured that there was a broad range of subjects for pupils to study nor that there was sufficient breadth within subjects. For example, pupils did not study art and design, languages or music. Furthermore, leaders did not have appropriate plans and schemes of work that set out curriculum subjects in sufficient detail. Also, these subject curriculums did not take enough account of the ages, aptitudes and needs of pupils, all of whom have education, health and care (EHC) plans for their special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  Leaders have developed an appropriate curriculum policy. This outlines a sufficiently broad range of subjects for pupils to study and details how the curriculum content differs between key stages 3 and 4. The policy demonstrates leaders’ approach to providing a

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Main inspection findings

flexible and personalised education for each pupil.  Leaders have given thought to what they want pupils to learn during their time at the school. They have developed schemes of work for each subject. Leaders’ curriculum design, in all subjects, takes into account the specific and individual needs of pupils.  The proprietor has recruited a curriculum lead to support the headteacher and teaching team in revising and redeveloping the curriculum. They have also bought in time with an educational consultant who is providing advice and support to school leaders in developing their curriculum. There is a commitment from the proprietor to employ subject-specialist teachers with qualified teacher status. Leaders have worked with staff to develop a consistent and more precise approach to long-and short-term plans that reflect the curriculum content that is required to be taught. These plans include consideration of the individual needs of pupils. These actions are having a positive

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Main inspection findings

impact on the improved quality of curriculum provided for pupils.  Leaders have been swift in ensuring the range of subjects on offer in school is broadened. For example, an art and design lesson is now on the school’s timetable at least once a week for all pupils, but often more frequently. Long-and short-term plans that reflect an appropriate content for art and design have been devised for this term across all year groups. These will be completed for the full academic year in the summer holidays. These plans have been designed in the same consistent and precise way as the rest of the subjects on offer. Once this curriculum subject is established, leaders intend to offer art and design as a GCSE option.  Leaders have been creative in how they will incorporate subjects such as design and technology, modern foreign languages and music into the curriculum. Leaders have devised enhancement days which will occur approximately once a month. All pupils will

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Main inspection findings

be taught design and technology, modern foreign languages and music on these days by qualified specialist teachers. Long-and short-term plans are being devised that reflect appropriate subject content that meet the needs of all pupils. These plans are being devised in the same consistent and precise way as the rest of the curriculum on offer. Leaders have also given thought to how they will ensure that pupils are supported to commit their learning in these subjects into their long-term memory. To this end, there are a range of approaches to support pupils to revisit and recap their knowledge and understanding in these subjects.  Leaders have put in place some strategies to support pupils who struggle with reading. For example, leaders have invested in assessment resources so that they can pinpoint more accurately where pupils are in their reading development. Leaders intend to use an appropriate phonics programme that suits older pupils. A member of staff is trained to

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Main inspection findings

support pupils who struggle with their reading. Leaders are in the process of extending their reading strategy to ensure that all pupils can access and enjoy reading no matter their ability.  The school now meets the previously unmet requirements in this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(b)  At the time of the standard inspection in November 2023, the proprietor did not have sufficient oversight to reassure itself that the school met the independent school standards (‘the standards’) consistently for the quality of education. The proprietor’s systems to hold school leaders to account for the quality of education overall were underdeveloped.  The proprietor and school leaders have made many improvements since the standard inspection. They have thought carefully about the curriculum that they offer pupils. They have paid particular attention to ensuring that the curriculum meets the needs of pupils,

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Main inspection findings

all of whom have SEND and an EHC plan. The proprietor has employed new staff and engaged external support. Leaders have been creative in building a wider range of subjects into the curriculum. This is beginning to ensure pupils are experiencing a broader and richer curriculum offer. The proprietor and school leaders have acted swiftly and decisively to remedy the previously unmet standards.  Leaders have set up a suitable, regular cycle of checks on the quality of education. This information is shared with those responsible for the governance of the school. The proprietor has systems in place to ensure that leaders at all levels are regularly held to account for their work, areas of responsibility, and the ongoing development of the school. This oversight includes regular checks to ensure that the standards are met.  The school now meets the previously unmet requirements in the standard 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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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Bridge4Learning Education Services Limited

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £28,057.80 to £52,100.69

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School details

Email address katie.anderson@bridge4learning.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 31 October to 2 November 2023

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Information about this school

 The school’s most recent standard inspection was 31 October to 2 November 2023.  The school is located at Picow Farm Road, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 4UN. This is the school’s only site.  All pupils who attend this school have an EHC plan for social, emotional and mental health needs and have been permanently excluded from education prior to attending this school.  At the time of the inspection, there were a very small number of students in the sixth form at the school.  The school does not make use of alternative provision.  The school is registered to admit up to 36 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 was the first progress monitoring inspection since the standard inspection in November 2023. It was conducted with no notice.  The Department for Education (DfE) required the school to prepare an action plan. This plan was statutory. Ofsted evaluated this plan on 12 February 2024. The DfE rejected this action plan on 14 March 2024.  The inspector met with the headteacher. She also met with other senior leaders, as well as staff, including those responsible for safeguarding and health and safety.  The inspector met remotely with all three members of the proprietor body, including the

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Information about this inspection

chair.  As well as visiting some lessons, the inspector spoke to the curriculum lead and a few teachers. She looked at curriculum plans and schemes of work, examples of pupils’ work and the curriculum policy.  The inspector spoke informally to some pupils.  The inspector looked at a wide variety of documentation in relation to the standards checked.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central register of pre-employment checks and whether the school safeguarding policy is available to parents. These requirements of the standards are met.

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Inspection team

Sue Eastwood, 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

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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