VTC Independent School

School material change inspection report

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VTC Independent School Unit 2, Centre 2000, St Michael’s Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3DZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b) and 2(1)(b)(i)  The school has not considered what changes it will need to make to the curriculum to cater for students up to the age of 21.  The curriculum policy has not been updated to include provision for students up to the age of 21. It is not clear what subjects older students would study or what qualifications they would work towards.  The school’s laudable aim to keep students in education longer because they are not yet ready for the world of work has not been fully thought through or planned carefully enough. Paragraphs 2(1)(b)(ii) to 2A(3)  The school’s current curriculum meets the needs of existing pupils and students up to the age of 18. This includes relevant relationships, sex and health education and impartial careers guidance.  The range of subjects currently available is appropriate and this is likely to be the

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Main inspection findings

same if the material changes are granted.  The current curriculum does not undermine any fundamental British values. Paragraphs 3 to 3(j)  Teaching at the school is currently effective at meeting the needs of existing pupils. Teachers are experienced at working with pupils that have previously missed long periods of schooling. They are helping to close gaps in knowledge in the core areas of English and mathematics.  Particular expertise in vocational subjects, such as catering, mechanics and welding are contributing well to pupils learning helpful new skills.  These relative strengths are transferable to more and/or older students. Paragraph 4  Current systems of assessment and reporting could be extended to more and/or older students.  The proprietor has not ensured that all standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change requests are granted.

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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’s existing policies and procedures around developing pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding are fit for purpose. They are likely to remain so if there were more pupils attending or older students were part of the school.  The proprietor has ensured that all standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change requests are granted.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b) and 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The current safeguarding policies and procedures are fit for purpose, including around safer recruitment of staff. Staff are alert to keeping current students safe from harm.  The current safeguarding policy is published on the school website and made available to parents.  The school has not thought about how they would need to adapt their safeguarding policy and procedures should the school admit students aged between 18 to 21. They have not considered the risks of having adult students and vulnerable pupils present on the same site. This could place pupils at risk of harm if the material change was granted.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 11, 12 and 14  The health and safety policy is fit for purpose and implemented effectively. This includes appropriate specific procedures in the catering kitchen and mechanics and welding workshops.  Fire risk assessments have been completed recently at both premises by external experts. The very minor action points identified have been addressed.  Current staffing levels help to ensure that current pupils are well supervised. The school recognises that additional staffing would be required if pupil numbers were to grow beyond the current 32 the school is registered for. Paragraph 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  Current risk assessments, including for the specialist workshops for welding and mechanics and for the catering kitchen, are fit for purpose. Risk assessments for taking current pupils off site for a range of activities are also appropriate.  The school has not considered the additional risks of having adults and children

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Main inspection findings

learning on the school site at the same time. They have not assessed the risks or thought about how to mitigate them.  The proprietor has not ensured that all standards checked in this part are likely to be met if the material change requests are granted.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(3)  The proprietor has ensured that all the required checks have been completed on staff before appointment. These include medical fitness, the right to work in the United Kingdom in addition to their suitability to work with children. Paragraphs 19(2) to 19(3) and 20(6) to 20(6)(c)  The school does not use supply staff and has no intention of doing so in the future.  The school does not have additional individuals who are part of the proprietor body. Paragraphs 21(1) to 21(7)(b)  All of the required checks on staff were recorded on the single central register as outlined by Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024.  The proprietor has ensured that all standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change requests are granted.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1) and 23(1)(a)  There are only two toilets available for pupils and students at each of the school sites.  These facilities are suitable for the small number of pupils currently on roll or for the 32 pupils currently included in the registration. However, there would not be enough suitable toilets and washing facilities if the maximum number on roll increased.  There are no plans to increase the number of toilets or washing facilities to accommodate the requested material changes. Paragraph 23(1)(b) to 23(1)(c) and 24(1) to 28(2)(b)  The current toilets are individual rooms that can be secured from the inside to give boys and girls privacy. There are showering facilities on one of the school sites.  Drinking water is labelled and separate from the toilet areas. The running water does not provide a scolding risk.  Both sites have a medical room that meet requirements.

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Main inspection findings

 The premises are well maintained. Each classroom has adequate light and acceptable acoustics. The workshops for mechanics and welding and the kitchen for catering are very well equipped. Paragraph 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The school does not have adequate suitable on-site outside space for pupils to play or take part in physical education as part of the curriculum.  The small outside area at the side of the building at the sixth-form site in Castle Road is not suitable for more than the currently registered number of pupils.  The current arrangements to take pupils from the main site, which has no suitable outside space, to nearby recreation facilities would not be practical with a larger number of pupils.  There is no scope to increase the outdoor space available to pupils at either site. The proprietor recognises this.  The proprietor has not ensured that all standards in this part are likely to be met if the

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  There have been multiple changes of headteacher since the previous standard inspection in November 2023. The current headteacher returned to the school in July 2024, having previously fulfilled the role up to October 2023.  Due to a period of instability, the school lost the confidence of its placing local authorities. One of the two placing local authorities removed pupils from the school due to reasonable concerns about safeguarding and school leadership. The other main placing local authority has not placed any new pupils recently. The headteacher has returned and stabilised the school. This means the proprietor has sensibly reduced its involvement in the day to day running of provision. However, the school has not yet secured the confidence of its main placing local authorities.  The proprietor and headteacher have laudable aims in requesting the material

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Main inspection findings

changes but have not considered the practicalities around the limitation of the school sites. Furthermore, they have not considered how the curriculum will need to be adapted for older students. Finally, they have not considered the well-being of pupils, by not risk assessing the safeguarding implications of having adults and children learning on the same site.  The proprietor has not ensured that all standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change requests are granted.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school continues to meet the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely 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, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Proprietor Vocational Training Centre Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £16,000 to £88,000

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School details

Email address sean@vtcindependentschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28 to 30 November 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 13 to 18 13 to 21 13 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 8 120 32

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recommendation

The school has not considered the curriculum for students aged over 18 or the safeguarding implications of having adult students and child pupils on the same site. The two school sites do not have enough toilets or suitable outside space for more than the 32 pupils that the school is currently registered for.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 8 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 8 Up to 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 8 Up to 120

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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 Up to 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 7 TBC

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 0 TBC

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 TBC

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Information about this school

 The school’s last standard inspection was in November 2023.  The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Most pupils have previously been excluded from education. All current pupils are in the sixth form and have been placed by the local authority. The school is currently registered for up to 32 pupils.  The school has an additional site at Unit 13, The Glenmore Centre, Castle Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3GL. The sixth-form students are based here.  The current headteacher rejoined the school in July 2024 having previously been headteacher prior to the previous standard inspection.  The school uses no alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the Department for Education after the proprietor applied for a material change to increase the maximum number of pupils from 32 to 120. The proprietor also requested to change the upper age of pupils from 18 to 21.  The purpose of the inspection was to check whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the requested material changes are approved.  The inspector met with the proprietor and the headteacher to discuss the proposed material changes. The inspector toured both school sites. The inspector visited lessons and talked to some pupils and staff informally.  The inspector reviewed the school’s safeguarding policy and checked that it was available on the school website. The inspector met with the designated safeguarding lead to discuss the school’s safeguarding arrangements. The inspector reviewed safeguarding records and checked the single central record. Safer recruitment training

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Inspection team

Lee Selby, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils;  29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable- – 29(1)(a) physical education to be provided to pupils in accordance with the school curriculum; and – 29(1)(b) pupils to play outside.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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