Park View Academy

School material change inspection report

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Park View Academy 146–148 Parkview Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SR

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 1 to 4  The school provides pupils with the opportunity to study a broad range of subjects. The school’s curriculum is well organised, clearly setting out the knowledge and skills leaders expect pupils to learn over time.  The school’s curriculum reflects the content and ambition of the primary national curriculum from Year 1 onwards. Staff identify each pupil’s starting points and tailor the curriculum to meet their needs. This is also informed by pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans. Appropriate provision is in place to enable pupils to catch up on any gaps in their learning, including if they have been out of education for some time.  All pupils receive personal, social and health education with a dedicated, age- appropriate programme covering key themes such as celebrating differences, healthy lifestyles and healthy relationships.  Staff are suitably trained and the curriculum is well resourced to meet the needs of

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Main inspection findings

pupils in the primary phase. The current arrangements for teaching primary-aged pupils are readily adaptable to include the proposed admission of six-year-olds to the school.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school promotes pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development across different subjects and activities. For example, the curriculum for the nurture class includes encouragement of pupils’ love of reading while guiding their reflection on, and expression of, their own and others’ feelings.  Therapeutic support is threaded through the delivery of the academic curriculum. Staff expectations and routines in lessons and around the school help pupils to develop their social and communication skills. Pupils who met with the inspector spoke sensibly and respectfully, listening carefully to each other as they shared their opinions on a range of subjects.  Pupils have opportunities to develop their cultural awareness through educational trips to enhance their learning in different subjects. The school’s current provision for

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Main inspection findings

primary-aged pupils is suitable should six-year-olds be admitted to the school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7(a) and (b), 11, 12, 14, 16(a) and 16(b)  The proprietor ensures that all staff receive training and regular information so that they know and fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities. Staff are alert to any indication that a pupil might be at risk. The school has well-organised systems for the reporting and follow-up of any safeguarding concerns, working with outside agencies appropriately to keep pupils safe. The school’s safeguarding and child protection policy follows the latest statutory guidance and is published on the school’s website.  The school’s health and safety policy is up to date, setting out clear expectations and responsibilities to ensure the welfare, health and safety of pupils. The proprietor oversees the effective implementation of the policy. Staff make frequent checks of the premises, with clear systems for the identification and reporting of hazards and

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Main inspection findings

processes for swift repair. The proprietor commissions regular external risk assessments and audits, including for fire safety. The school responds swiftly to make any necessary improvements.  Since the previous inspection, the school has expanded its leadership teams and increased and developed the specialisms of staff providing therapeutic support for pupils. Staff are suitably qualified and experienced to provide education and support for pupils in all phases of the school. The increased staffing capacity is ample provision for the proposed increase in number of pupils on roll and the proposed extended age range.  The relevant standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17 to 21(8)  The proprietor ensures that the required pre-employment checks are completed for all members of staff. The single central register is well organised and indicates that the statutory requirements for recruitment and recording of checks are followed.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 31(c)  The school premises provides a spacious and well-maintained learning environment. Classrooms are appropriately furnished and equipped, with chairs and tables at suitable heights for the pupils using them.  Since the previous inspection, the school has increased the size of the school premises. An additional teaching space has been acquired immediately adjacent to and accessible from the original school premises. The school has also made

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Main inspection findings

alterations to extend an existing classroom. Both spaces are fully furnished and resourced and already in use as classrooms. They provide plentiful accommodation for the proposed increase of 10 pupils to the school’s roll.  There are sufficient toilet and washing facilities, including for boys’ and girls’ sole use. The medical room meets requirements.  The school uses several external locations to provide physical education for all pupils. Leaders have refurbished and resourced the limited outdoor space at the school to be especially appealing to younger pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(2)  Leaders have a clear rationale for making the proposed changes to the age range and the number of pupils attending the school. They have thought carefully about the implications and challenges of the proposed changes, recruiting suitably qualified staff and increasing the school’s accommodation.  Leaders have considered the views and well-being of pupils, ensuring that pupils are fully informed and reassured about the proposed changes.  Leaders, including the proprietor, are fully conversant with the independent school standards and ensure that these are met.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £52,552 to £63,270

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 23 to 25 May 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 19 6 to 19 6 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 40 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 40 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 40 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 40 50

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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 40 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 12 13

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Information about this school

 Park View is an independent special school. It caters for pupils with autism and/or social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an EHC plan.  Pupils are placed at the school by several local authorities.  The proprietor is Gemma Gosden. However, the proprietor is recorded on the government’s register of education establishments, Get Information about Schools (GIAS), as ALP Schools Ltd. The school has communicated with the Department for Education (DfE) to update the proprietor information on the GIAS website.  The school uses three unregistered alternative provisions. Pupils attend these provisions on a part-time basis, accompanied by school staff.  The school’s last standard inspection was in May 2023, when it was judged to be good. All the independent school standards were met.

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Information about this inspection

 The school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration: to increase the number of pupils on roll from 40 to 50 and to increase the age range of pupils from seven years to 19 years to six years to 19 years.  The inspector met with school leaders, including the headteacher and the managing director representing the proprietor.  The inspector toured the school site accompanied by the headteacher.  The inspector evaluated a range of documents, including those relating to: safeguarding; the school’s curriculum; pupils’ welfare, health and safety; and risk assessments.  The inspector met with pupils and looked at pupil surveys carried out recently by the school.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central register of employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the independent

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Inspection team

Amanda Fraser, 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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