The Divergent School Harborough

School pre-registration inspection report

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The Divergent School Harborough 2 Heygate Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7JS

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h) to 2A(1), 2A(1)(b) to 2A(3)  Leaders have set out a clear rationale, vision and ethos for the school. They are proposing a school that meets the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. There is a clear focus on ensuring that pupils are enabled to achieve their potential through a personalised approach to personal development and learning.  The school’s curriculum policy demonstrates that leaders intend to provide for pupils’ individual needs, as many pupils will have education, health and care (EHC) plans.  The school has a curriculum overview with schemes of work for a range of subjects. These are based on the ambition of the national curriculum. They provide a breadth of experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, aesthetic and cultural, human and social, technological and physical education.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have developed curriculum planning that takes into consideration the ages and aptitudes of the pupils they plan to teach. The plans include a range of suggested teaching approaches and resources.  Leaders have considered the development of pupils’ speaking, literacy and numeracy knowledge and skills. They have identified a specific scheme that will support pupils who are at an early stage of learning to read. They intend to purchase more resources and provide training for staff to support pupils with reading.  Leaders have planned to teach personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. The PSHE curriculum includes carefully thought-out schemes of learning for physical and mental health, finance and money, and relationships. These curriculum plans include learning that prepares pupils for life in Britain and develops their understanding of diversity and equality.  The school intends to provide appropriate careers information, advice and guidance.

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Main inspection findings

This includes impartial careers advice and opportunities to develop pupils’ understanding of the world of work.  Leaders have developed a relationships and sex education policy that reflects statutory guidance. This is supported by schemes of learning that provide age- appropriate sex education. Paragraphs 3 to 4  The school has adopted an approach to teaching that combines learning with pupils’ personal development. Leaders have planned activities that will develop pupils’ resilience and self-confidence. Leaders have produced assessment and reporting procedures in readiness for the proposed school.  The school intends to use assessment information to adapt the curriculum and build pupils’ learning over time.  The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards (the standards) in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The proposed school’s curriculum will include a strong focus on pupils’ personal development. It includes planned pastoral support, specific therapies and a structured PSHE programme. It is intended that curriculum plans will be focused on the individual needs of each pupil.  The curriculum is planned to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Leaders have plans that promote respect for other people, including those with protected characteristics, as set out in the Equality Act 2010. These plans are based on the school’s aims, values and expectations of how others should be respected.  Leaders have plans to promote fundamental British values. They intend to provide pupils with opportunities to understand their place in, and contribution to, British society, now and in the future. Leaders intend for pupils to be involved in a range of

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Main inspection findings

community-based experiences.  The school proposes that pupils will receive a balanced presentation of views.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  Leaders have ensured that there are effective arrangements in place to safeguard pupils. They have produced a range of policies and procedures to help keep pupils safe. The school’s safeguarding policy reflects the most recent government guidance. There are processes in place to record safeguarding concerns and leaders’ follow-up actions.  The school has planned for staff to receive regular safeguarding training. This includes training about what to look for to identify pupils who may be a risk of harm and how to share any concerns they may have about pupils’ welfare.  Leaders intend to closely monitor pupils’ welfare so that they can identify any concerns and provide appropriate support. Paragraphs 9 to 10  The school has a suitable behaviour policy that sets out what leaders expect of pupils, and for staff to promote and manage behaviour positively. The school has an anti-

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Main inspection findings

bullying policy. Policies are written for the specific needs of pupils who will attend this school. Paragraphs 11 to 13  The school has put in place suitable health and safety and first-aid policies. Leaders demonstrate a commitment to the maintenance of health and safety. There are systems in place to record regular health and safety checks. Leaders propose to carry out regular monitoring to ensure that all staff follow the procedures contained in these policies.  The school has purchased appropriate and relevant signage related to health and safety and fire safety. Leaders have plans to display this signage around the building, once the building work is complete. First-aid kits are available.  Leaders have plans in place for all new staff to receive health and safety, first-aid and fire safety training as part of their induction. Paragraph 14  Leaders have plans to make sure the staffing levels will provide appropriate

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Main inspection findings

supervision of pupils throughout the school day, including during social times. Paragraph 15  Leaders have plans to manage admissions and attendance information well. The admissions register complies with statutory requirements. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)  Leaders have a clear appreciation of their responsibilities related to risk management. The school’s risk assessment policy sets out the steps to be undertaken to assess and manage all types of risks in different situations. Leaders plan for these risk assessments to be reviewed regularly.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17 to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(1) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)  Leaders have experience, and a secure understanding, of safer recruitment procedures. The school is conducting all the required pre-employment checks on the staff who are currently being recruited.  Leaders do not intend to use the services of supply staff. However, they fully understand the checks that are required before a member of supply staff starts working with pupils.  The school has a single central record that includes the full range of checks required before an individual starts working with pupils. Leaders intend to meet all statutory guidance by continuing to complete and record all checks on future appointments.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(1)(b), 25 to 29(2)  The proposed school occupies a self-contained building. The premises have undergone significant refurbishment. At the time of the inspection, this refurbishment work had not been completed. However, clear and precise plans are in place to complete all the planned building work before the proposed school intends to open to pupils in mid-September.  The accommodation comprises several rooms, including a therapy room, a classroom, a reception, an office and suitable storage. All rooms are bright and airy, with appropriate acoustics and access to daylight. The school’s internal and external lighting is appropriate.  Once the refurbishment work is complete, there will be separate toilets for pupils to use. These are lockable from the inside. The accessible toilet is available for others to use. There will be suitable washing facilities with hot and cold water available in the

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Main inspection findings

toilet facilities.  The school plans for physical education to be undertaken in local leisure amenities. Pupils will have access to changing and showering facilities in these locations.  The premises will include a suitably equipped medical room for the treatment of sick or injured pupils. There is a toilet nearby.  Labelled drinking-water will be available, once the building work is complete.  The premises do not have their own external space. Leaders plan to use the local park for pupils to play in during social times. This is a short walk from the school premises. Leaders intend for the school’s comprehensive risk assessment for the use of the park to be regularly reviewed and updated.  Leaders have systems in place to monitor and maintain the premises to ensure the health, safety and welfare of pupils and staff.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(1)(i), 32(2) to 32(2)(b)(i), 32(2)(d) to 32(3)(g)  Leaders have ensured that all required information is readily available to prospective parents and carers and anyone else who requests the information. This information includes the school’s aims and ethos, address and the names and contact details of the proprietor and the headteacher.  The school does not have a website. However, leaders intend to publish a website in preparation for the school opening, subject to registration.  All policies and procedures are available in paper and electronic format, including the relationships and sex education and safeguarding policies. All other required policies are available on request.  Leaders have a suitable method of reporting to parents about pupils’ achievements. They have established procedures to submit financial information to local authorities

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Main inspection findings

and to share EHC plans at annual review meetings with the relevant agencies.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  Leaders have written a complaints policy that is available to parents on request. The policy sets out the process leaders will follow when investigating complaints. It includes a suitable time frame for managing complaints. The policy lists the various stages of the complaints procedure, including formal and informal stages. The policy explains how the outcomes of a complaint will be communicated to the complainant, as well as how information relating to the complaint will be stored.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and leaders have given much thought to the proposed school, its purpose and how it would be strategically developed.  Leaders demonstrate the knowledge and understanding needed to ensure that the standards will be met securely and consistently over time should the school be registered.  Leaders are committed to providing a quality bespoke curriculum that is matched to pupils’ needs. There is a strong focus on providing for pupils’ personal development and well-being.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have developed a suitable accessibility plan.  The school is likely to meet the regulation in this part.

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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.

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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.

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Email address amy.creatura@thedivergentschoolgroup.com

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 14 11 to 14 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 10 10

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recommendation

Reason for inspector's recommendations  The proprietor’s initial application to the Department for Education (DfE) was to establish a school to cater for up to 36 pupils. During the inspection, it was clear to see that the premises could not accommodate 36 pupils. The proprietor notified the DfE that she wished to change the application and reduce the potential numbers on roll to a maximum of 10 pupils.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable Up to 10

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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 Not applicable Up to 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 4

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Information about this proposed school

 The Divergent School Harborough is part of The Divergent School Group. The proposed school has a sole proprietor.  The school is located in Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7JS.  The school proposes to cater for up to 10 pupils, aged 11 to 14 years. All pupils are likely to have a range of special educational needs, including social, emotional and mental health difficulties; autism; speech, language and communication needs; cognitive and learning needs; and specific learning difficulties.  Most pupils are likely to have an EHC plan.  The proprietor intends to open the school on 16 September 2024 with up to 10 pupils on roll. All proposed staffing appointments will be made by then.  The school is not likely to use the services of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned to determine whether the proposed school is likely to meet the standards if it is given permission to open.  This is the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector met with the proprietor and the headteacher. He met with the building contractor.  The inspector toured the school site to check on the suitability of the premises, including the nearby park. He reviewed the planning schedule for building works to be undertaken and completed in the next two weeks.  The inspector reviewed various policies and documents, including those related to the curriculum; safeguarding; behaviour; risk assessment; health and safety; first aid and fire safety; relationships and sex education; complaints; and admissions. He reviewed the single central record.

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Inspection team

Chris Davies, 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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