Compass Community School Lancashire

School material change inspection report

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Compass Community School Lancashire Bend Hill Farm, Granville Street, Briercliffe, Burnley BB10 2RA

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2, 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a) to 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g) to 2(2)(i)  The school has prepared an appropriate curriculum policy. The policy emphasises the contribution that each subject will make to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural education. The information set out in the policy also shows that the active promotion of fundamental British values is at the core of leaders’ work. This includes values such as tolerance and respect, together with the development of pupils’ knowledge and understanding of being a British citizen.  The curriculum policy is supported by plans and schemes of work for each subject. The curriculum design and schemes of work are appropriate. The school has thought carefully about what it wants pupils to learn during their time at the school. It has also considered any changes that it may need to make in relation to this material

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Main inspection findings

change request. For example, ensuring that the curriculum is suitable and interesting for both boys and girls. The schools’ curriculum design considers the specific and individual needs of pupils, some of whom will be pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.  There is suitable importance placed on speaking and listening, reading, writing and mathematics in the curriculum. The school has increased their reading resources to include books that might engage reluctant male readers. There will be an emphasis on pupils studying subjects such as science, information and communication technology, religious education, history, and geography. The subjects offered will also include art and design and physical education.  Pupils’ personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is taught through timetabled lessons. Again, the school has considered any differences and approaches in teaching male pupils, as well as teaching male and female pupils together. Aspects

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Main inspection findings

of PSHE education will also be woven into the whole school curriculum, including careers education. The school has ensured that the careers education on offer will engage both male and female pupils and will place no limits to the range and choices that each individual pupil might make. The development of pupils’ life skills and their emotional and well-being skills are considered essential parts of the curriculum. The topics to be covered are suitably wide ranging and often personalised to each pupil. The school’s plans pay particular regard to the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010. Paragraph 2A(1) to 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d) to 2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3)  The PSHE education curriculum includes the development of pupils’ understanding of relationships, sex, and health education. The school have taken into consideration the relevant statutory guidance as well as any additional considerations that might arise

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Main inspection findings

from having male pupils in school, alongside female pupils. They have an appropriate policy statement, and they consult with parents and carers about this policy. The school has ensured that this statement is on its website. Paragraph 3, 3(j)  The proprietor has ensured that there is no discrimination against pupils that would be contrary to Part 6 of the 2010 Education Act. Boys and girls will be taught together and will access the same curriculum and opportunities as each other.  The independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(b)(vi)  The school’s policies include appropriate references to all the protected characteristics set out in legislation. This is also evident in a range of documents and schemes of work, including the PSHE curriculum. This clearly sets out how the school will

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Main inspection findings

encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 3. Welfare, health, and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has paid attention to the current statutory guidance for safeguarding pupils. A suitable and up-to-date policy is in place. The policy has been made available to parents, on request, from the school office and is on the school’s website. Leaders have established all the necessary arrangements to keep pupils safe and to promote their welfare at the school.  There are two designated safeguarding leaders. All staff receive appropriate induction and safeguarding training, including regular updates on specific issues, such as radicalisation, extremism, sexual exploitation, and e-safety.  Leaders have ensured that the relevant standard in Part 3 and the requirement in

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Main inspection findings

paragraph 32(1)(c) are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a) to 23(1)(c)  To accommodate this material, change request, the school has had a small standalone building constructed. It houses a toilet, shower and changing facilities and is adjacent to the main school. It has been built and appointed to a high standard.  There are appropriate toilet and washing facilities. They are separate for boys and girls. All toilet cubicles can be secured from the inside.  There are separate changing and shower facilities for boys and girls. They are clean and well appointed.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The proprietor has a secure understanding of the standards and monitors compliance

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Main inspection findings

with the standards regularly.  Leaders demonstrate the knowledge required to run this independent school successfully and to accommodate the material change request. They have experience of, and a commitment to, providing an effective quality of education for pupils. They are likely to continue to fulfil their responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils should the material change be approved.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school’s accessibility plan fully reflects statutory requirements.

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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 Independent special school

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6 to 8 February 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 17 11 to 17 11 to 17

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 1 6 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Girls Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 1 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 1 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health, and care plan 1 Not known

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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 1 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 3 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff None None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 1 3

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Information about this school

 The school is located at Bend Hill Farm, Granville Street, Briercliffe, Burnley BB10 2RA.  Most pupils who join the school have social, emotional, and mental health needs. Some have an education, health, and care plan.  The school is registered to admit up to 6 pupils aged from 11 to 17. Typically, all pupils who join the school are looked after by their local authority  Pupils usually join the school with significant gaps in their learning. Many have suffered traumatic experiences and have not engaged in education for a long period of time prior to joining this school.  The school does not make use of alternative provision.  The school has a small governing body. The chair of the governing body is independent of the running of the school. The other two members are employees of the proprietor body.  The previous standard inspection took place on 6 to 8 February 2024.

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Information about this inspection

 The proprietor applied to the registration authority for a material change to change the school from single sex to co-educational. The Department for Education commissioned Ofsted to carry out this material change inspection to advise whether the school would be likely to meet all relevant standards if the proposed material change is implemented.  This was the first material change inspection since the school’s last standard inspection in February 2024.  The inspector met with the headteacher and deputy headteacher. She also met with the assistant director for the company and a representative of the proprietor body.  The inspector made a tour of the school to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant standards.  The inspector also looked at a range of documents and policies relevant to the material change request, including the curriculum.  The inspector also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the

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Information about this inspection

single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the independent school standards are met.

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Inspection team

Sue Eastwood, 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

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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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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