Cockburn Reach Academy

School pre-registration inspection report

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Cockburn Reach Academy Northcote Crescent, Leeds LS11 6NN

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)h to 4  The proposed school’s curriculum is well considered. The curriculum offer is aligned with the requirements of the national curriculum and outlines a broad range of subjects for pupils to study.  The site is currently operating as a satellite provision attached to a school.  The proposal is for the school to be established as a provision with its own unique reference number which continues to accept pupils through referrals from the local authority.  The proposed school day will begin at 8.30am and finish at 2.30pm.  The proposed school will provide pupils with 30 hours of learning a week.  The proposed school will specialise in supporting pupils with mild to moderate social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).  The staff have suitable training and expertise in this area.  Teaching assistants in the proposed school will receive specialist training to support

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Main inspection findings

pupils’ needs.  The proposed school will support pupils at the early stages of reading through a systematic synthetic phonics programme.  The inspector explored how the school is currently supporting pupils with additional needs in its current satellite provision.  The proprietor has ensured there are long-, medium- and short-term schemes of work in place for the subjects that will be offered. These are broken down into suggested lesson activities for the subjects being taught.  The school has agreed expectations for how staff will check pupils’ knowledge and understanding. Procedures are clearly planned and understood by staff. Staff can explain how they will use these to check what pupils know and remember in each subject. The curriculum plans indicate how teachers will check that learning routinely builds upon what pupils have been taught before.  The school clearly illustrates its intention to provide a flexible curriculum to meet the

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Main inspection findings

needs of each pupil. The curriculum will include personalised pastoral support for pupils. This will allow pupils to work on their personal and emotional development, alongside their academic learning.  The teaching of personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education will take the form of regular timetabled lessons. The curriculum will incorporate PSHE components, alongside extra opportunities to promote pupils’ development.  The school has put explicit protocols in place to check that the pupils who are due to attend the proposed school will receive a high-quality education. The school has a quality assurance schedule to check the teaching of the curriculum.  The school has ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5(a) to 5(d)  The proposed school will be part of the Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust. The comprehensive personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) curriculum is designed to nurture every aspect of our pupils’ development.  Leaders recognise the importance of promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural growth. The school has crafted a clear programme of study that aims to boost pupils’ self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. The proposed school will employ an ‘include, engage, and celebrate’ approach and plans to work closely with children and their families to provide access to appropriate emotional support. The planned strategy aims to help pupils learn to take responsibility for their actions, manage their behaviour effectively and demonstrate respect and tolerance towards others.  The proposed school’s PSHE curriculum shows plans to foster pupils’ understanding of

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Main inspection findings

themselves and others in preparation for their next steps.  The proposed school has implemented a robust recruitment policy and staff code of conduct. These measures are intended to safeguard pupils against the promotion of partisan political views and to ensure pupils access a balanced range of views. The detailed procedures for vetting teaching materials, school visitors and extra-curricular experiences support the promotion of tolerance in the curriculum.  The school has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 9 to 9(c), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 to 16(b)  The proposed school has implemented a multi-faceted approach to ensure pupil safety. There are rigorous procedures for reporting, recording and monitoring any safeguarding concerns.  The proposed school has a structured approach to safeguarding pupils. The safeguarding measures currently in place will extend to the proposed school. Staff at the school already engage with appropriate external agencies to review and support pupils and this will continue.  Staff members will undergo a comprehensive induction programme. This includes mandatory safeguarding training and regular professional development sessions which link to behaviour and wider areas.  The school shared its high expectations for both learning and behaviour. Staff who are in place are well versed in behaviour management techniques, with a particular focus

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Main inspection findings

on forming positive relationships. There are clear procedures which will be implemented to reward positive behaviour and celebrate pupils’ achievements.  Robust health and safety policies and procedures are in place to protect pupils, staff and visitors. Precise systems for checking and maintaining the school’s premises and grounds are in place. Regulatory compliance is regularly reviewed and shared with the trust, including adherence to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The proposed school has a comprehensive risk assessment policy in place. The school explained how it will identify and mitigate risks and hazards across all areas of the school and when on educational visits. These assessments will consider the individual needs of all pupils.  The proposed school has systems to maintain admission and attendance registers. A thorough system is in place for recording pupil absences and attendance. This system

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Main inspection findings

recognises the additional importance of such checks for pupils attending part time or those who may find it challenging to enter an educational setting.  The school has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18 to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(6)  Staff working at the proposed school will be employed by the Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust. The proposed staff team will work across a number of the schools in this trust.  A single central record is in place to check the suitability of adults teaching at the school. The school has invested significant time and resources into developing a robust system for operating and maintaining these checks.  All appropriate checks on the suitability of staff, the proprietor and governors are recorded on the school’s single central record. This meets statutory requirements.  Leaders recognise that a school community extends beyond the full-time employees and the commitment to safeguarding encompasses everyone who enters the school. Supply staff, visitors, volunteers and contractors will be subject to stringent checking

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Main inspection findings

procedures.  The school has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(b), 24(1) to 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The proposed schools buildings and outside areas are in excellent order and well maintained.  The school’s commitment to the well-being of the pupils is evident in the carefully thought-out procedures for supporting pupils with medical needs. There is a designated area for pupils who may feel sick, complete with access to both hot and cold water and nearby toilet facilities.  The proposed school has appropriate lighting. Acoustic conditions have been carefully considered to create a conducive learning environment. There are accessible drinking fountains and washing areas are equipped with temperature controls to prevent any risk of scalding.  The proposed school has appropriate accessible toilet facilities. This means that all

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Main inspection findings

members of the school community, regardless of their physical abilities, can navigate the space.  The school has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(c), 32(1)(e) to 32(3)(f)  The proposed school’s website contains links to a wide range of policies. For example, the school’s safeguarding policies, health and safety, behaviour and admission policies are available. There are also links to other documents such as curriculum details. The website has devoted areas to give parents and carers the information they most need.  The website provides a host of further information about the pastoral care the school will offer. Methods of communication are highlighted for parents and families should they have questions.  The school has a clear understanding of the processes they must undertake to support pupils with additional needs, including those with an education, health and care plan (EHC plan). The school has protocols in place for sharing information. Leaders understand how crucial it is to include all pertinent parties in the yearly

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Main inspection findings

reviews of pupils.  The proposed school will report regularly in writing to parents. Where appropriate, staff will complete records for all pupils in their care. Daily communication and newsletters will be used to share pupils’ accomplishments.  The school has clear systems in place to provide local authorities with evidence of how they will account for the funding of each pupil, including those with an EHC plan. This will include reporting to the local authorities on a termly basis on the pupils whom they assist.  The school has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  The school’s written policy for complaints meets the requirements of the standards. The policy provides information on how to make formal and informal complaints and the process for resolving these.  In the first instance, the school will allow for informal complaint handling, but they

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Main inspection findings

also recognise the need for impartial representation on any complaints panel.  The policy includes procedures for keeping copies of complaints securely and information about the follow-up actions taken.  The school has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of the leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  There is a comprehensive educational offer that will be available to any pupils who attend this proposed school.  The leaders have expertise in running schools. The school has clear processes and procedures in place to oversee the quality of its work. The trust plans to conduct audits and school visits to ensure the quality of the educational programme and care available to pupils. The trust will monitor the buildings and grounds.  The proposed school has clearly defined lines of accountability at every level of leadership and management. The responsibilities are clearly defined.  The school has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has written an accessibility plan. The accessibility plan fully reflects the school’s statutory requirements. The proposed school is likely to fulfil its responsibilities under 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.

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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

Email address ali.quinn@reachprimary.co.uk

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 11 5 to 11 5 to 11 Number of pupils on the school roll 0 40 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Up to 30 Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable Up to 40 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Up to 30 Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Up to 30 Up to 40

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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 Up to 30 Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 11 11

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Information about this proposed school

 Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust operates Cockburn Reach Academy. The school will operate on one site located at Northcote Crescent, Leeds, LS11 6NN.  Cockburn Reach Academy is an independent school which intends to provide education for up to 40 pupils aged five to 11 years.  The school’s education staff will collaborate with therapeutic staff in meeting the pupil’s SEMH needs.  The local authority will refer pupils.  The school does not have a religious ethos.  The school may use alternative provisions.

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Information about this inspection

 This is the school’s first pre-registration inspection commissioned by the Department for Education to evaluate the provider’s readiness to open as a school.  The inspector checked whether the school is likely to meet the standards. The inspector evaluated a range of evidence, including policies and plans relating to each part of the standards. The inspector scrutinised health and safety documentation, including the safeguarding and child protection policy. The inspector also checked the school’s staff recruitment and vetting processes and the single central record.  The inspector undertook a tour of the completed buildings and the grounds to evaluate the suitability of the school’s premises to be an independent school.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher and trust leaders.  The inspector also met with the operations manager and subject leaders of the proposed school. The inspector spoke with the chief operating officer and the

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Inspection team

Richard Jones, 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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