Hopespring Newcastle

School material change inspection report

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Hopespring Newcastle Chesters Avenue (on corner of Aydon Gardens), Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8UZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  Designated safeguarding leads are knowledgeable and well skilled. They understand the complex safeguarding needs of pupils who attend the school. Clear processes and procedures help keep pupils safe. When needed, the school takes effective action to keep pupils safe.  The school ensures that all staff are trained to identify safeguarding concerns. This includes contextualised issues for the communities the school serves.  The school understands the needs of pupils well. Pupils benefit from individual support to meet their welfare needs. Paragraph 11  Leaders ensure that the school’s building and learning environments are safe for pupils. They carry out regular health and safety checks. A clear health and safety policy supports leaders and staff to keep pupils safe.  When health and safety issues are identified, the school takes prompt action to

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Main inspection findings

remedy those issues. Paragraph 12  The school completes thorough and regular fire risk assessments. Leaders ensure that firefighting equipment is checked regularly and is fit for purpose.  The building provides clear means for evacuation. In each room, there is information displayed on how to leave the building safely. Fire doors are clearly marked. Access to fire doors is clear from any hazards, meaning pupils and staff can leave quickly. Regular testing of fire safety systems and fire drills ensures that evacuation procedures work effectively. Paragraph 14  The school supervises pupils well through appropriate deployment of staff. There is sufficient staff to maintain effective supervision of pupils should the school’s proposed increase in pupil numbers be approved. The school plans to recruit more staff to develop the teaching team. It plans to maintain current staff-to-pupil ratios. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)

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Main inspection findings

 There is a clear risk assessment policy. Risk assessments are detailed and ensure that pupils are kept safe throughout the school day and during different activities. These activities include off-site visits to woodland to complete forest school lessons.  The proprietor has ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1) to 18(3), 19(2) to 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(7)(b)  The school makes the necessary checks on staff suitability to work with pupils. The single central record is up to date and detailed. The school ensures that checks are completed before employment starts.  The school does not use supply staff.  The school makes the necessary checks of adults who have responsibilities linked to governance.  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 change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(2)  The school building has the appropriate toilet facilities needed should the DfE approve the material change. This includes separate facilities for male and female pupils.  There is a medical space that is designated for the short-term care of pupils which is readily available. It has washing facilities and a toilet. Paragraph 25  The building is well maintained. The school has sufficient dedicated learning spaces. These will be able to accommodate the increase in pupil numbers should the material change be granted by the DfE. The spaces are large enough for pupils to work individually or in small teaching groups.  Work to remove some piping identified at a recent audit is planned for the summer holidays. The school takes prompt action to maintain the building to a high standard. Paragraphs 26 to 27(b)  Around the school building, the lighting and acoustics are appropriate for the planned

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Main inspection findings

activity in each space. Paragraphs 28(1) to 28(2)(b)  Safe drinking-water is clearly labelled. Pupils have access to drinking-water throughout the day.  The supply of hot water is maintained at an appropriate temperature. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  There is a large outdoor area which provides ample space for social times as well as for physical education. However, most sporting activities take place at appropriate external venues. 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 change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  Leaders have carefully considered what is needed to ensure that if the material change is approved, they will continue to meet the standards. In proposing an increase in pupil numbers, they have ensured that they will be able to meet the needs of all pupils. They know and understand the capacity of their staff and of the building they use.  The proprietor has a clear vision and oversight of the school. There is regular and purposeful communication between the proprietor and school leaders to ensure planned changes are implemented successfully and in a sustainable way. This work relates to aspects of safeguarding and health and safety as well as the curricular offer for pupils.  Leaders complete routine checks of the standards. This ensures that the school sustains its compliance with the standards. Leaders’ understanding of the standards

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Main inspection findings

will enable the school to continue to meet them should the material change 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 change.

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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

Email address jacob.vart@hopespringcharity.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16 to 18 November 2021

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recommendation

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

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 9 15 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 9 15 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 9 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 8 15

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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 8 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 7 8

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection took place on 16 to 18 November 2021.  The school is part of the Hopespring charity. It educates a small number of pupils aged 11 to 16 years, all of whom have social, emotional and mental health needs.  The school offers access to therapeutic support from teaching staff who are trained as therapists. Pupils can access an outdoor curriculum alongside more formal academic learning.  The school uses no alternative provision.  The school operates from Chesters Avenue, Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 8UZ. It is located in a former community centre.  The school admits pupils from a range of local authorities.  Pupils join the school at different times of the year.  The school is registered to admit 12 pupils. At the time of the inspection, there were nine pupils on roll.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the DfE. It was commissioned to consider a material change to the school’s registration agreement with the DfE. The inspection focused on the standards with regard to the welfare, health and safety of pupils; the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors; premises and accommodation; provision of information regarding safeguarding; and the quality of leadership in and management of the school.  The material change sought by the school related to pupil numbers. The purpose of the inspection was to determine whether the school would be likely to meet the standards if the number of registered pupils was increased from 12 to 15.  The school proposes to cater for pupils with autism, as well as continuing to cater for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.  This is the first material change inspection since the school opened in March 2017.  The inspector met with the headteacher and proprietor. They toured the current

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Information about this inspection

premises. The inspector also reviewed documentation relating to the standards that the DfE requested to be checked.  The inspector checked that the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. This requirement of the standards is met.

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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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Inspection team

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