Brenkley School

School material change inspection report

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Brenkley School 3–5 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 6DS

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(i), 2A(1) to 2A(2)  The school intends to expand the age range of pupils so that a very small number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) on roll can continue their education post-16. This is a specific request to ensure that pupils with SEND can continue to be educated in a school environment that enables them to be well supported and achieve their potential. If granted by the Department for Education (DfE), this material change to the age range will only be for pupils in these circumstances.  By expanding the school’s age range, the school intends to enable pupils with SEND to resit some qualifications and support pupils with consolidation of learning. The school has clear curriculum plans that will enable pupils to revisit learning from key stage 4 and begin to extend this where possible. The wider curriculum offer continues to be

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Main inspection findings

ambitious. It enables pupils to gain skills and knowledge across the curriculum.  The school has employed additional staff with experience of teaching post-16 pupils, so that the small number of pupils who will remain on roll are well supported. Across the staff, there is sound understanding of how to support pupils with SEND in their learning. These additional staff will also further strengthen the number of teachers for the increase on school roll.  The school will prioritise an enhanced careers offer for the pupils who remain on roll post-16. An increased offer linked to work placements will prepare pupils for adulthood.  The school has a clear relationships and sex education programme. This will be used to embed knowledge and understanding for pupils who stay on roll post-16.  There is a well-established curriculum for pupils aged 11 to 16. Any additional pupils will benefit from this curriculum. They will also benefit from the school’s expertise in

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Main inspection findings

meeting the needs of pupils with SEND. Paragraphs 3 to 4  The school continues to offer effective teaching through carefully planned schemes of work. Resources are purposeful. There is bespoke support that helps pupils reach their potential.  Classrooms are well resourced. The school has developed spaces so pupils can work in small groups and at individual workstations.  Leaders have a strong understanding of pupils with SEND. This knowledge, alongside clear curriculum plans, will enable pupils to reach their potential.  Additional recruitment of teachers with post-16 experience further enhances the school’s ability to meet the emerging needs of pupils who remain on roll post-16, should the material changes be granted.  The proprietor has ensured that ‘the standards’ in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material changes. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school ensures that pupils benefit from spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through a planned curriculum offer and further enrichment activities. This will continue for any post-16 pupils, should the material changes be approved.  A planned curriculum will ensure that pupils will consolidate their understanding of aspects of democracy. This will be further enhanced through real-life experiences, such as visits to the magistrates’ court or through a calendar of cultural events.  The school ensures that aspects of religious education are taught to all pupils. A planned key stage 4 curriculum will embed pupils’ knowledge and understanding of world faiths should the material changes be granted and pupils stay beyond Year 11.  Planned opportunities will enable pupils to contribute to school life. For example, pupils contribute to the structure of the lunch offer and the menu served to their

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Main inspection findings

peers.  The proprietor has ensured that ‘the standards’ in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material changes Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  Designated safeguarding leads and staff are knowledgeable and well skilled. All staff complete level 3 safeguarding training to keep pupils safe. The school understands the complex safeguarding needs of pupils who attend the school. Leaders for safeguarding have detailed knowledge of the individual risks that pupils might face. Clear processes and procedures help keep pupils safe.  An up-to-date policy makes clear everyone’s responsibility relating to safeguarding. Record-keeping shows that the school maintains detailed records of safeguarding concerns and actions.  The school understands the needs of pupils well. Pupils benefit from individual support to meet their welfare needs.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 11  There is a clear health and safety policy. It is appropriate to the school, its buildings and pupils. Leaders maintain regular checks and meet weekly to ensure that health and safety is an ongoing priority.  The school has maintained its Contractors Health and Safety Assessment (CHAS) accreditation. Paragraph 12  Leaders ensure that they are suitably trained to support pupils and staff in case of a fire. Firefighting equipment is serviced regularly. Leaders make changes based on the advice of external professionals. Leaders are prompt in adding additional fire call points, for example, or replacing fire doors.  Both buildings have trained fire marshals. They regularly test and check fire evacuation systems and carry out fire drills. Fire exits are clear and enable pupils and staff to leave safely in the event of a fire. Paragraph 14  There are high levels of supervision for pupils. Leaders have prepared for the further

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Main inspection findings

growth of the school by employing additional teachers. This ensures that, if the DfE grants the material changes, supervision will be sustained. Pupil to staff ratios meet the necessary requirements. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)  A clear risk assessment policy defines expectations around managing risk for the proprietor, leaders and staff. Risk assessments show rigour and are purposeful. Risk assessments for activities such as aerial gymnastics contain specific detail linked to transport, parking and the activities that pupils will be engaged in.  Risk assessments are available for both on-site and off-site activities. These have clear actions identified to mitigate risk. Where needed, pupils have individual risk assessments linked to their individual needs.  The proprietor has ensured that ‘the standards’ in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material changes

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(3), 19(2) to 19 (3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(7)(b)  The school makes the detailed and necessary checks on staff suitability to work with pupils. This includes members of the newly established governance body. The single central record is up to date. The school ensures that checks are completed before employment starts.  The school does not use supply staff.  The single central record is up to date.  The proprietor has ensured that ‘the standards’ in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material changes. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(2)  Both school buildings have adequate toilet facilities for both male and female pupils. These are well-maintained and intended for the use of one pupil at a time. In the Buttress House building, many learning areas have their own dedicated toilet facilities

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Main inspection findings

for pupils.  Work awaiting completion at the previous material change inspection in July 2023 has been completed. There are dedicated shower facilities for pupils in the second building. However, many sporting activities take place off site where pupils can shower and change while at different venues.  Medical spaces for the short-term care of pupils are readily available at both sites. Paragraph 25  Both school buildings are maintained to a high standard. Learning rooms are welcoming and well resourced. This enables pupils to work at individual workstations or collectively as a group.  At the previous material change inspection, work was ongoing to resource the Buttress House building. This has been completed for the pupils on roll accessing this site. Additional rooms that will be used for the teaching of pupils, should the material changes be granted, offer the same standard seen across other areas of the building.

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Main inspection findings

 The original building has space within the current classrooms to accommodate additional pupils. Paragraphs 26 to 27(b)  The acoustics across both buildings are appropriate. There is limited noise between classrooms due to the acoustics of the building. Lighting is also fit for purpose. Lighting fixtures that were awaiting completion at the previous material change inspection are finished. Paragraphs 28(1) to 28(2)(b)  Drinking water is available at all times for pupils who attend. Water that is suitable for drinking is labelled.  The lighting system linked to the temperature of the water, previously reported at the school’s original building, is still in use. This is being extended to the water supply in the Buttress House building. Hot water is at an appropriate temperature for pupils on both sites. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)9b)  Both school buildings have dedicated outdoor space. This enables pupils to enjoy both

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Main inspection findings

social time and sporting activities outside. Most aspects of the physical education curriculum happen off site at dedicated sporting venues, including for surfing and horse riding. Paragraph 30  The school does not provide boarding accommodation for pupils.  The proprietor has ensured that ‘the standards’ in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material changes. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor proposes to increase the capacity and extend the age range of the school. The capacity increase is in relation to the identified need in the local area. The increase in age range is to enable a very small number of pupils with SEND to stay on roll to finish their education beyond Year 11.  Leaders are clear about the implications that an increase in capacity will have for the school. They have taken reasonable actions through the recruitment of additional staff

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Main inspection findings

to meet the needs of pupils. Also, there is sufficient space in both buildings to ensure that an increase in capacity is managed across the school sites.  There is also a secure understanding that an increase in age range is for the purpose of providing post-16 education for a small number of pupils who are already on the school’s roll. There is a lack of appropriate post-16 placements for these pupils in the local area. The school’s post-16 provision will consolidate pupils’ key stage 4 learning.  The proprietor and school leaders have a detailed understanding of the independent school standards. They fulfil their roles and responsibilities effectively and promote pupils’ well-being with appropriate rigour. They also have quality assurance systems in place that assure them that the standards will be met consistently over time.  The proprietor has ensured that ‘the standards’ in this part are likely to be met if the

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Main inspection findings

DfE decides to approve implementation of the material changes.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 23 to 25 November 2021

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 18 11 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 30 60 50

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recommendation

The recommendation of an increase in capacity from 30 to 50 pupils is to ensure that the space the school has available is used and developed in a sustainable way that meets pupils’ needs. This will ensure that the pupils who attend will continue to benefit from small purposeful learning areas that are dedicated to pupils from Year 7 to Year 11. This will also sustain the lower teacher to pupil ratio that the school plans for. The school has requested that an age range change to 11 to 18 is granted to offer school places beyond Year 11 for a small number of pupils already on roll who will revisit key learning and resit examinations, where applicable.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 30 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 30 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 30 60

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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 30 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 12 14

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 2.5 2.5

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Information about this school

 The school currently caters for up to 30 secondary-age pupils with identified social, emotional and mental health needs. Most pupils have a diagnosis of anxiety and/or autism spectrum disorder. Pupils come from a number of local authorities in the surrounding area.  The previous standard inspection took place on 23 to 25 November 2021, when the school was judged to be good. A material change inspection took place in July 2023, which raised the registered capacity for the school from 20 to 30 pupils. A previous material change inspection took place in July 2021, which raised the registered capacity of the school from 10 to 20 pupils.  The school’s current address is 3–5 Brenkley Way, Seaton Burn, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 6DS. There are additional premises at Buttress House, 36 Brenkley Way, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 6DS. These premises are a very short walk from the current premises.  If the material change is approved, there is sufficient space to increase the number of

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Information about this school

pupils in the 3–5 Brenkley Way site for Year 10 and 11 and for further increase in capacity for Year 7 and 8 at the Buttress House site. The Buttress House site does have more space, should the school propose to extend its pupil numbers further.  The name of the school changed from ID Academy to Brenkley School in 2022.  The school does not use any alternative education provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the DfE, the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to determine whether the school would be likely to meet the independent school standards if the number of registered pupils was increased from 30 to 60 and the age range was increased from 11 to 18.  The school proposes to continue to cater for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, where primary needs are linked to anxiety and autism spectrum disorder.  This is the third material change inspection since the school opened in November 2017.  The inspector met with the headteacher and proprietor. They toured the current premises. The inspector also reviewed documentation relating to the standards that the DfE requested to be checked.  The inspector checked safeguarding arrangements and checks made on staff to ensure they are suitable to work with pupils.  The inspector checked that the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and

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Information about this inspection

carers. This requirement of the independent school standards is met.

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Inspection team

Emily Stevens, 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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