Edison Pace School

School material change inspection report

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Edison Pace School Wellesley Street, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 4NF

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1) to 2(2)(i)  The proprietor currently provides full-time education for up to 60 pupils, aged 11 to 16 years, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The proprietor proposes to increase this number to 96 pupils. This is to enable the school to offer education for up to 36 pupils aged seven to 11, all of whom will have education, health and care (EHC) plans, as is the case for current pupils. If the material change is approved, these pupils will be educated at the separate site visited as part of this inspection.  The school has planned a broad curriculum, suitable for primary-age pupils, which exceeds the requirements of the independent school standards. It has been carefully considered to ensure that all pupils will have the opportunity to achieve at least age- related expectations, with personalised support for their needs as an integral part of

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Main inspection findings

their learning. The school is aware that schemes of work will need to be adapted as pupils with differing needs join the school.  The school has ensured that a suitable reading programme will be available for those primary-age pupils who may need support to develop their reading. Reading is threaded through the wider primary curriculum, providing many opportunities for pupils to access a wide range of texts to support their learning.  The school has developed a comprehensive programme of personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education that is flexible enough to respond to the additional needs of pupils. The programme ensures that pupils can develop their social, emotional, cultural and spiritual understanding through a wide range of activities.  The independent school standards (the standards) are likely to be met if the material change application is approved. Paragraph 2A(1), 2A(3)  The proprietor has ensured that there is an age-appropriate policy for relationships

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Main inspection findings

and sex education in place. The policy makes it clear that parents and carers have the right to withdraw pupils from sex education. It is intended that parents whose children join the school will have opportunities to be involved in consultation when the policy is reviewed.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change application is approved. Paragraphs 3 to 3(j) and 4  The school has ensured that the needs of pupils are central to their learning. Teachers are well trained and have the necessary expertise to ensure that social and emotional needs and academic needs are given equal and complementary status to support all pupils to achieve their potential.  Assessment has been carefully planned to rapidly identify where pupils may have gaps or misconceptions but also to recognise small steps of progress. The school has worked together to ensure that all available information about pupils can be gathered

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Main inspection findings

and shared to inform the support they will receive in the classroom and more widely.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change application is approved. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii) and 5(d)(iii)  Leaders thought carefully about how they will support the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of primary-age pupils. Drawing on the successful model in place for secondary-age pupils in the school, many opportunities are identified through the taught curriculum and beyond for pupils to broaden their horizons and develop their understanding of the wider world.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change application is approved. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a), 16(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has ensured that the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy meets all statutory requirements. Leaders have established partnerships and systems that put pupils’ needs at the centre of all the school’s work, creating a strong culture of safeguarding. The intended new cohort of primary-age pupils will benefit from this.  All staff, including the proprietor and members of the governing body, are trained in safeguarding and child protection processes and procedures. New staff have safeguarding induction training before they can enter classrooms. There is a suitable electronic system in place to record all concerns. Staff know how to raise and record a concern.  The school’s health and safety policy is comprehensive and implemented effectively to ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety legislation.  Leaders have planned carefully to ensure that additional staff are recruited and

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Main inspection findings

trained to meet the needs of the primary-age children.  The school meets the requirements of the Fire Regulatory Reform Act 2005. All suitable measures are in place to manage the risk of fire.  The school has an appropriate risk assessment policy which is implemented effectively to minimise risk.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change application is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18 to 18(4)(c), 19(1) to 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(7(b)  The proprietor has ensured that a single central record is in place. All required checks are made and recorded in line with statutory guidance. The proprietor is aware of the checks to be made when supply staff are employed through an agency.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change application is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1) to 23(2), 24(1) to 24(3), 25, 26, 27 to 27(b), 28(1) to 28(2)(b), 29(1)

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Main inspection findings

to 29(1)(b)  The building intended for the use of primary-age pupils has been renovated and refurbished to provide a high standard of accommodation. Classrooms are bright, welcoming and well-resourced spaces for learning. Drinking water is available in every classroom, as well as around the school, and suitable toilet facilities are available The medical room is suitably situated. School policy ensures that pupils who need to use this facility will be supervised at all times.  The outdoor area has been developed to provide a space for outdoor physical education as well as for play. Primary pupils will also have access to the multi-use games area at the existing secondary site.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change application is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that those with leadership and management

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Main inspection findings

responsibilities in the school, including at the proposed additional premises, have the skills and knowledge to ensure that the independent school standards are met consistently.  The proposed increase in numbers to accommodate pupils aged seven to 11, has been carefully considered in the light of ongoing requests from the commissioning bodies with which the school works. The proprietor has ensured that a three-year plan allows for pupil numbers to increase over time, alongside the necessary increase in staffing.  School leaders have created a secure and caring environment that actively promotes the well-being of pupils.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change application is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an appropriate accessibility policy in place that meets all requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £60,000 to £98,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 1 to 3 November 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 7 to 16 7 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 27 96 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 27 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 27 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 27 96

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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 27 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 18 54

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Information about this school

 The school currently provides full-time education for pupils aged 11 to 16 years with social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils at the school have education, health and care plans.  Leaders propose to admit up to 96 pupils aged seven to 16 if the material change is approved.  Pupils will continue to be admitted through local authorities, including Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Cheshire.  The school does not have a religious denomination.  The school does not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to determine whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the proposed material change is approved.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of this particular change that the school has applied to make.  The inspector met with the proprietor, the finance director, the business manager, the executive headteacher, the special educational needs coordinator, the head of the secondary phase and the head of the proposed primary phase.  The inspector also spoke with current pupils, observed their learning and spoke briefly with some teachers.  The inspector reviewed a range of documentation, including the proposed curriculum arrangements for primary-aged pupils, and considered the school’s compliance with statutory safeguarding requirements and schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector reviewed the proposed premises to check on health and safety, fire safety and the suitability of the proposed premises against the relevant independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Mel Ford, 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

achieve 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.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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