Supreme Start Ltd

School pre-registration inspection report

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Supreme Start Ltd Unit 7, Roman Road, Royton, Oldham OL2 5PJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2, 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The curriculum policy is underpinned by suitable plans and schemes of work for each subject. Pupils will work towards a range of recognised qualifications. The proposed school’s curriculum planning contains the necessary details about what pupils will learn and when they will learn this knowledge. Pupils will learn a broad range of subjects.  The curriculum plans show the proposed school’s suitable understanding of the needs of pupils who may join the school.  There is a package of training in place to support staff to be able to teach the curriculum effectively. There are suitable resources in place to support the delivery of each subject curriculum.  The proposed school has given careful thought to how personal, social, health and economic education will be taught. The proprietor recognises that pupils may have

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Main inspection findings

had a disjointed previous experience of education. It has set out the curriculum with a flexible approach to fill any gaps in knowledge that pupils may have.  Pupils’ emotional well-being is a high priority for the proposed school. There is a clear programme for how pupils will learn about themselves, as well as understanding others. The proposed school’s plans and policies show consideration for the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010. Paragraphs 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d) to 2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3)  The curriculum content for sex and relationships education reflects the current statutory guidance. The proprietor plans to consult with parents and carers about the content of this curriculum. The policy makes it clear to parents that they can choose to withdraw their child from the non-statutory aspects of this curriculum. Paragraphs 3, 3(a) to 3(j)  The proprietor has made careful recruitment choices to ensure that staff have the

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Main inspection findings

expertise they need to design and monitor the implementation of the curriculum. There is a package of training for staff to ensure that all subjects in the curriculum are taught in line with the proprietor’s high expectations.  The proprietor and the headteacher have the knowledge, skills and experience to check that the curriculum is meeting pupils’ needs and supporting pupils to learn well. Paragraph 4  The school has a suitable assessment policy in place.  The school has developed appropriate systems to assess pupils’ attainment and emotional needs when they join the school. The school aims to provide a cohesive package of support for pupils to target their academic and emotional needs.  The school is aware that many pupils will join the school with previous periods of missed learning and at non-standard points in the year. The planned assessments will enable staff to design learning based on pupils’ individual starting points.

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Main inspection findings

 The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a) to 5(d)  The proposed curriculum shows clear consideration for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils will learn about people who live differently from them locally, nationally and globally. This work will be supported by a range of planned educational trips and visitors to the school.  The school has set out within the relevant policies and plans where pupils will learn about fundamental British values. This is central to the school’s aims in preparing pupils for life in modern Britain. British values are threaded through relevant policies, such as the behaviour policy where pupils are encouraged to think about the impact of their actions on others.  The school’s curriculum plans show that political information shared with pupils will be presented in an impartial way.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  At the first pre-registration inspection, this standard was not likely to be met. Since then, the proprietor has ensured that the designated safeguarding lead has received suitable safeguarding training. The proprietor has the required safeguarding knowledge to promote a positive culture of safeguarding.  The safeguarding policy reflects the most recent government guidance and will be published on the proposed school’s website. The staff code of conduct sets out the expectations for staff, including how to raise concerns about other adults who work in the school. Paragraphs 9, 9(a) to 9(c), 10  There is a suitable behaviour policy in place. This sets out the strategies that the school will use to manage pupils’ behaviour, along with how any incidents of poor behaviour will be dealt with and recorded. There is an appropriate anti-bullying policy

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Main inspection findings

in place that sets out clear roles and responsibilities. The policy refers to all of the protected characteristics. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13  At the first pre-registration inspection, this standard was not likely to be met. Since then, the proprietor has ensured that clear signage is visible for all emergency exit routes. In addition to this, maps of the emergency exit routes are displayed throughout the building.  The proprietor has put a suitable health and safety policy in place. This has regard to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The proprietor contracts an external specialist to check firefighting equipment and emergency systems and to carry out fire risk assessments. The school plans to carry out regular fire drills.  The proprietor has put a suitable first-aid policy in place. There will be an appropriate number of staff with relevant first-aid qualifications. Furthermore, the proprietor has

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Main inspection findings

paid due regard to the safe storage of medication and recording systems for the administration of first aid and medication. Paragraph 14  There will be a suitable number of staff deployed to supervise pupils on the school site, including at social times. Additional appropriate consideration has been given to the supervision of pupils at the start and end of the school day. Paragraph 15  The proposed school has systems in place to register pupils’ attendance. Staff will provide regular attendance reports to the proprietor. The proposed school’s systems enable senior leaders to monitor any periods of pupil absence.  There is a suitable admissions policy in place. This includes the information that leaders will collect when admitting a pupil, as set out in the Education (Pupil Registration)(England) Regulations 2006. Paragraphs 16, 16(a) to 16(b)  At the first pre-registration inspection, this standard was not likely to be met. Since

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Main inspection findings

then, the proprietor has put suitable risk assessments in place for a range of activities, for example when pupils will take part in educational visits.  The proprietor has put a risk assessment policy in place that shows how staff will identify and mitigate risks to pupils, staff and visitors.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a) to 18(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a) to 19(d), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a) to 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a) to 21(3)(b), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  An electronic single central record (SCR) is in place. The SCR contains all of the necessary information about the recruitment checks made on new staff. The proprietor has a strong understanding of the necessary checks that need to be made for new staff, agency staff, volunteers, contractors and members of the proprietor body. The proposed school makes sure that the checks are completed satisfactorily before staff commence employment.  The SCR contains space to record any overseas background checks should they be required. The proprietor understands this requirement and how the checks would be completed if required.  The headteacher and the chair of the proprietor body have completed relevant

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Main inspection findings

safeguarding training, including in safer recruitment procedures. The planned induction package of training for new staff includes a focus on safeguarding as well as ensuring that staff understand the potential contextual risks to pupils’ welfare and safety.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The proposed school is set in a two-storey building that was previously used as a secondary school. The accommodation is clean and well maintained. The accommodation includes several teaching spaces, a hall, a medical room, office spaces and secure outdoor areas to the front and rear. Since the first pre-registration, the proprietor has upgraded the fencing at the front of the property to support pupils’ safety. Previous concerns about site safety have been addressed by the proprietor. Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a) to 23(1)(c), 28(1), 28(1)(a) to 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a) to 28(2)(b)  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities, including an accessible toilet. Toilet cubicles can be locked from the inside. Drinking-water is labelled clearly and signs advise where there is hot water. Hot water is set at a safe temperature for young children to avoid the risk of scalding. Pupils can access drinking-water throughout the

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Main inspection findings

school day. Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a) to 24(1)(c)  There is a medical room that is located near to a toilet. The room contains an appropriate sink, bed, pillow and blanket as well as a first-aid kit. There is suitable storage for medication. Paragraphs 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The school is very well lit. Classrooms and other teaching spaces have suitable acoustics. Paragraphs 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  There are secure external areas to the front and rear of the proposed school where pupils can play. This space allows for pupils to take part in physical education (PE). The school plans to utilise some local facilities to further enhance the PE curriculum. Suitable risk assessments are in place that are likely to ensure pupils’ safety and welfare when using these facilities.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(k), 32(2) to 32(2)(d), 32(3) to 32(3)(g)

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed website for the school contains all the policies that parents may need. The contact details for the headteacher and the chair of the proprietor body are made available.  The proposed school intends to provide half-termly updates for parents about their child’s progress. These updates will contain information about pupils’ academic achievements as well as their emotional development. The proposed school understands the requirement to publish inspection reports on the school’s website when they are available.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33, 33(a) to 33(k)  The school’s complaints policy explains the complaints process for parents. This includes clear timescales, as well as how the proposed school will seek to resolve complaints initially at the informal stage. The proposed school has appropriate systems in place to store records of complaints.  The school plans to publish a copy of the complaints policy on the website when the school opens.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  At the first pre-registration inspection, this standard was not likely to be met. Since then, the proprietor has appointed a headteacher with the skills and knowledge to ensure that all of the standards are likely to be met securely and consistently over time. The proprietor has set out how it will make regular checks to ensure ongoing compliance with the standards.  The proprietor plans to employ staff at all levels that have the experience they need to ensure that pupils receive a suitable quality of education. The proprietor is likely to fulfil its responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school’s accessibility plan fully reflects the statutory requirements.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £60,000 to £87,000

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Proposed school details

Email address Nathan.bowker@supreme-start.com

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 5 to 11 5 to 11 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 20 20

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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 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 20

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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 20

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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 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 2

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Information about this proposed school

 This proposed independent special school is located at Unit 7, Roman Road, Royton, Oldham, OL2 5DD. It is housed in a repurposed and refurbished two-storey building. A secondary school previously occupied the building.  It is proposed that the school will provide full-time education for up to 20 pupils, aged between five and 11 years. Pupils will be able to join the school from Year 1. It is intended that the proposed school will cater for pupils who struggle to cope with mainstream education by providing them with a small, nurturing learning environment.  The proposed school will cater for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and autism. It is expected that all pupils will have an education, health and care plan.  The proprietor is Supreme Start Ltd. This company is registered at Companies House. There is one director. This director is the chair of the proprietor body.  The proprietor intends that there will be a governing body. The chair of the governing

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Information about this proposed school

body has not been appointed.  The proprietor does not intend to use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to determine if the school is likely to meet the standards if the DfE decides to approve the request to register this school.  This is the proposed school’s second pre-registration inspection. The previous pre- registration inspection was 17 April 2024.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher and the chair of the proprietor body.  The inspector made a tour of the school to check the suitability of the proposed premises against the relevant standards. She also looked at a wide range of documents and policies, including those relating to the curriculum, behaviour, health and safety and safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Jane Dennis, 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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