Progress Schools - Carlisle

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Progress Schools - Carlisle 7 Victoria Place, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1EJ

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2), 2(2)(h)  At the progress monitoring inspection in December 2023, the school’s curriculum did not take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHC plan). Moreover, some pupils did not have the opportunities that they should have had to learn and make progress across the curriculum. The proprietor had not ensured that the curriculum took sufficient account of the needs of pupils with EHC plans or those who struggle with reading. This hindered the progress that these pupils made in the range of subjects that they studied.  At this progress monitoring inspection, the school has put in place a suitable curriculum for pupils to study. There are schemes of work and curriculum plans for all of the subjects that pupils study. These take into account the ages and needs of all pupils,

p.1

Main inspection findings

including those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils in key stages 3 and 4 study English, mathematics, science, art, physical education and humanities subjects. There are also lessons in personal, social, health and economic and careers education. Paragraphs 3, 3(d), 3(e), 3(g)  At the first progress monitoring inspection, staff did not have the subject knowledge needed to deliver the curriculum well. In some lessons, staff did not identify and address pupils’ misconceptions or missing knowledge. This meant that pupils did not make the progress that they should.  At this progress monitoring inspection, staff had received subject-specific training that has supported them to deliver the subject curriculums effectively. Furthermore, staff check pupils’ understanding consistently well. They use this information to pinpoint and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge.  The school now meets all of the previously unmet requirements and independent school

p.1

Main inspection findings

standards (the standards) in this part. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  At the time of the standard inspection in April 2023, this standard was met. Leaders had put into place all of the necessary arrangements to safeguard pupils.  At this inspection, the designated safeguarding lead and all staff were up to date with their training and fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities well.  The school has a safeguarding policy that meets the latest statutory requirements. It shares this with parents and carers on the school’s website. Paragraphs 9, 9(a) to 9(c)  At the time of the standard inspection in April 2023, this standard was met.  At the request of the Department for Education (DfE), this standard was considered as part of this progress monitoring inspection. The proprietor has a suitable behaviour policy in place that is followed by staff. Any incidents of poor behaviour are dealt with

p.1

Main inspection findings

appropriately. Leaders cross-reference these incidents with other concerns so that they can gain a detailed picture of an individual pupil and respond promptly to any needs or issues that arise. The school’s behaviour policy sets out proportionate sanctions. These are logged appropriately.  The standards checked in this part continue to be met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33, 33(a) to 33(k)  At the time of the standard inspection in April 2023, this standard was met.  At the request of the DfE, this standard was considered as part of this progress monitoring inspection. At the time of this monitoring inspection, the inspector found that leaders have a suitable complaints policy in place. This sets out the procedure for making a complaint. The procedure meets all the requirements of the standard in this part, including the provision for a formal complaint hearing to be held before a panel appointed by the proprietor.  This policy is published on the school’s website.  The standard in this part continues to be met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a) to 34(1)(b)  At the previous progress monitoring inspection, leaders had not taken sufficient action to ensure that the school met all of the standards that were found to be unmet at the standard inspection in April 2023. The quality of education remained poor.  At this inspection, leaders have implemented the improvements outlined in their revised action plan. Leaders have significantly developed their understanding of the requirements for independent schools and are now actively and thoroughly checking the school’s compliance with all the standards.  The proprietor is now fulfilling its responsibilities effectively so that the standards are likely to be met consistently.  The school meets the previously unmet requirements in the standard in this part.

p.2

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.

p.4

The school now meets the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and are now met at this inspection

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if–

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 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 and (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work–

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are–

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress.

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school–

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 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;

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught;

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress.

p.4

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;

p.4

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

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

Chair Charlotte Charnley (known as Charlotte Barton) Headteacher Philippa Skate

p.6

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £12,500 to £32,000

p.6

School details

Email address carlisle@progress-schools.co.uk

p.6

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25 to 27 April 2023

p.6

Information about this school

 The previous standard inspection took place from 25 to 27 April 2023.  The school is registered to admit up to 40 pupils.  The school operates from premises at 7 Victoria Place, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 1EJ.  The school provides short- and longer-term placements for pupils who are disengaged from education, have been permanently excluded or are at risk of exclusion from education.  Some pupils have SEND. A few have EHC plans.  Leaders make use of three unregistered alternative provisions.

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 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 on 25 to 27 April 2023.  Following the progress monitoring inspection on 13 December 2023, the DfE required the school to prepare an action plan. This was statutory. Ofsted evaluated this plan on 11 April 2024. This plan was rejected by the DfE.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other leaders.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body, the headteacher and other leaders.  The inspector spoke with pupils about their experience of school.  The inspector spoke with some parents and carers about their views of the school.

p.7

Information about this inspection

 The inspector examined documents, including the curriculum policy and other documents related to the standards. The inspector also checked the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents.  At the request of the DfE, the inspector also considered the school’s arrangements for promoting good behaviour and handling complaints.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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.8

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.8

Inspection team

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.8

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.8

Inspection team

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

p.8

Inspection team

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

p.8