Values Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Values Academy 15 Key Hill, Hockley, Birmingham, West Midlands B18 5PB

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(e) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g) to 2(2)(i)  The previous inspection in November 2023 identified weaknesses in the curriculum. Plans were incomplete, and those that did exist did not take account of pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Careers guidance was not effective, and pupils did not engage meaningfully with employers or have work experience.  Nothing has changed since the last inspection with regard to the planned curriculum. Plans are still incomplete, and many are exam board schemes with no adaptations made to meet pupils’ needs. Some staff do not follow the schemes that are in place.  The school provides pupils with some limited careers guidance, such as how to complete a CV. However, there is not a planned programme in place that enables pupils to make informed choices or fulfil their potential.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 These independent school standards (the standards) remain unmet. Paragraphs 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(d)(ii)  At the time of the previous standard inspection, the personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum had limited impact.  At the time of this inspection, no planned curriculum was in place for PSHE. Staff only had access to a bank of resources.  These standards remain unmet. Paragraphs 3 to 3(h)  At the time of the previous standard inspection, lessons were based on pupils’ interests and did not require pupils to complete any meaningful written work. Staff expectations were not high enough. Teachers’ assessments did not correctly identify pupils’ starting points. Pupils were not making the progress they should.  Some staff still do not have high enough expectations. While learning is not disrupted, some pupils choose not to stay in their lessons. Pupils are still not required to produce

p.1

Main inspection findings

meaningful written work in English lessons, as they express a dislike for writing. As a result, pupils are not developing the literacy skills they need. There is no agreed system for accurately assessing pupils so that teaching can be based on filling the gaps in pupils’ knowledge.  Staff subject knowledge varies and there is no planned programme of training to improve staff subject knowledge.  These standards remain unmet.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(b) to 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(vii)  At the previous standard inspection, the school did not specifically teach the communication and social skills that pupils need to succeed in their future lives. The wider curriculum was not sufficiently planned and did not provide the rich cultural experiences that help prepare pupils for life in modern Britain.  There has been no change to the provision in this area.  These standards remain unmet.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1)(c)  The school ensures that all permanent staff receive relevant safeguarding training. Agency staff have an induction which ensures they know how to report any concern to the designated safeguarding leads in school. Staff know the pupils well and know what do to if they have concerns about a pupil. Pupils say they feel safe in school.  The school makes the appropriate checks on staff’s suitability to work with pupils before they start work at the school.  The school's website is not in operation, but the safeguarding policy is available on request. It pays regard to the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  The proprietor body has ensured that these standards continue to be met. Paragraphs 9, 9(b), 9(c)  At the previous standard inspection, the behaviour policy was inconsistently applied. This led to some poor behaviour not being challenged.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 There are still some aspects of the behaviour policy which are not implemented. The referrals to the fairness committee do not happen. There is no system to provide oversight of patterns or trends in behaviours as described in the policy.  These standards remain unmet. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13  There is a health and safety policy in place, though this is out of date. Some aspects of health and safety practice do not ensure that the policy is implemented effectively. While the general condition of the building is acceptable, and external companies make annual and quarterly checks on water, gas and firefighting equipment, the weekly and monthly checks that should occur do not happen regularly enough and are not recorded. The weekly temperature checks and flushing of water outlets are not carried out. The visual checks on fire panels and weekly testing of the alarm system are not recorded. In addition to this, the current fire risk assessment is also out of date. When external

p.2

Main inspection findings

companies do come to carry out checks, they cannot always access the required equipment.  At the time of the inspection, no first-aid policy was made available. There was a lack of certainty around how many staff were suitably trained to administer first aid. The school could only demonstrate that one member of staff had a suitable qualification to administer first aid.  These standards, which were met at the time of the last inspection, are no longer met. Paragraph 14  Staff ratios are high, and pupils are suitably supervised throughout the day.  The proprietor body has ensured this standard continues to be met. Paragraph 15  The admissions register contains all the required information for all pupils on roll. The attendance register, however, does not use accurate coding for pupils who receive some sessions from a tutor at their home.  This standard which was previously met at the time of the last inspection is no longer

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The building is maintained to a satisfactory standard. It is clean and there are no hazards in place.  The proprietor body has ensured that this standard continues to be met.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The school has experienced a turbulent time since the last inspection. A number of staff have left the school, including the chief executive officer and the executive headteacher. The proprietor body has taken the decision to close this school. There is an interim chief executive officer and a head of school in post. Their job has been to support staff and pupils through the consultation to close the school, while ensuring that the safety and well-being of pupils is maintained. The proprietor body and leaders in the school have ensured there continue to be positive relationships between adults working with pupils and between pupils themselves. Staff care for the pupils they work with and aim to prepare them for their next stage. This can be seen through the work done recently to secure appropriate placements for pupils leaving the school. The decision to close the

p.3

Main inspection findings

school is due to a recognition that the educational provision is not good enough for the pupils and there is not sufficient capacity to make the necessary improvements.  They have remained open for the remainder of the year to enable the older pupils to complete their studies and to give time for the other pupils to secure a new placement.  Due to the decision to close the school, the action plan that was submitted has not been implemented. Plans to improve the curriculum and further develop staff subject knowledge and expertise have not happened.  The priority for leaders has been to prepare pupils to move to their next placement. They have ensured that all annual reviews are going to take place before the end of term, with many already completed.  These standards remain unmet.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school is compliant with section 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

p.4

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet 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.

p.5

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.

p.6

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.6

School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

p.6

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £25,600 to £51,000

p.6

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 14 to 16 November 2023

p.6

Information about this school

 Values Academy is an independent day school located in Birmingham. All pupils have SEND and all have an education, health and care plan. The school offers places for pupils who experience social and emotional difficulties.  The school’s last full standard inspection was in November 2023 when it was judged inadequate.  The school does not use alternative provision.

p.6

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.  The Department for Education (DfE) required the school to prepare an action plan following the standard inspection in November 2023. Ofsted evaluated the action plan on 12 March 2024 and the DfE deemed the plan acceptable in March 2024.  This was the first progress monitoring inspection since the standard inspection in November 2023.  The inspector reviewed a range of curriculum documentation. She visited an English, mathematics and art and design lesson. The inspector spoke to staff and met with pupils to discuss their learning and experiences at school.  The inspector held discussions with school leaders, including the chair of the proprietor

p.7

Information about this inspection

body, to review the school’s progress against the previously unmet standards.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; examined relevant documentation; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  The inspection was conducted without notice.

p.7

Inspection team

Helen Forrest, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

p.7

The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

p.8

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; and  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education; – 2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills; – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which-

p.8

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(d)(i) reflects the school’s aim and ethos; and – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act[9]; – 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; – 2(2)(g) where the school has pupils above compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their needs; – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; and – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the

p.8

Part 1. Quality of education provided

school- – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(b) fosters in pupils self-motivation, the application of intellectual, physical and creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 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(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range; – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and

p.8

Part 1. Quality of education provided

thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress; – 3(h) utilises effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging pupils to act responsibly;

p.9

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor- – 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which- – 5(b)(i) enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence; – 5(b)(ii) enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England; – 5(b)(iii) encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality in which the school is situated and to society more widely; – 5(b)(iv) enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England; – 5(b)(vii) encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England;

p.9

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that- – 9(b) the policy is implemented effectively; and – 9(c) a record is kept of the sanctions imposed upon pupils for serious misbehaviour.

p.9

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.

p.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

p.9

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  13 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006[13]. 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

p.10

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.11

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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.11

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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.11

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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.11

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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.11

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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

p.11

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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

p.11