Springboard Education

School material change inspection report

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Springboard Education 55 South Street, Lancing, West Sussex, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 8AN

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i)  The school’s curriculum provides all pupils with access to the areas of learning required by the independent school standards, while taking full account of pupils’ individual interests and needs.  The proprietor ensures that staff are well informed about pupils’ needs and that they are knowledgeable about how to adapt the curriculum accordingly.  The school uses well-established procedures to assess pupils’ needs when they join the school. Targets in pupils’ education health and care (EHC) plans underpin curriculum design for each pupil. Staff use specific short-term targets well to complement and support those already identified in pupils’ EHC plans.  The school regularly reviews pupils’ progress against their targets and uses the findings to plan subsequent learning. Parents receive regular progress reports via termly reports to parents and annual reviews.

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Main inspection findings

 The school is likely to meet the relevant parts of this independent school standard if the material change is approved. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  Leaders have reviewed the school’s safeguarding policy to take account of the latest government guidance. The policy comprises a comprehensive range of information and provides a secure basis for safeguarding practice. The policy is posted on the school’s website.  The safeguarding policy provides clear information about roles and responsibilities. It includes contact details for key personnel in the school and in the local authority, as well as links to additional sources of information.  The policy provides guidance about procedures to be followed where a safeguarding concern arises. Staff use the school’s centralised electronic system well to record key information. The proprietor maintains an overview of safeguarding provision to assure

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Main inspection findings

themselves that systems are followed consistently.  The school uses a range of training opportunities to ensure that staff have an up-to- date knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures. Paragraphs 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 to 16(b)  The school has a suitable anti-bullying policy, which is followed consistently. Parents are notified and involved in discussions from an early stage where concerns arise. Leaders maintain robust procedures for recording, monitoring and responding to behaviour and bullying incidents over time.  The school’s curriculum promotes the development of positive relationships and friendship. Pupils are supported to develop personal skills which contribute to healthy relationships, with interventions and support provided for those pupils who struggle.  Health and safety and first-aid policies are fit for purpose and routinely followed. The proprietor ensures that all safety checks are carried out methodically and that any

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Main inspection findings

shortcomings are addressed in a timely manner. Ongoing premises checks are used to identify and address any maintenance issues.  The school follows its risk assessment policy methodically. Risk assessments are used well to identify and mitigate risk.  The school follows well-established fire safety policies and procedures. Fire exits are clearly indicated, emergency exits are accessible, and fire extinguishers are serviced regularly. Emergency evacuation drills are completed and recorded appropriately. Extensive work has been completed to ensure that the premises continues to comply with fire safety regulations since the proprietor acquired the leasehold of the whole site.  Leaders give careful attention to arrangements for the supervision of pupils. High staff-to-pupil ratios and sensible staff deployment ensure that pupils are supervised appropriately. The proprietor ensures that admission and attendance registers are

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Main inspection findings

properly maintained.  The school is likely to meet the relevant parts of this independent school standard if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18, 19, 20, 21  The proprietor makes sure that all required pre-employment checks are carried out. These include statutory checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.  Leaders maintain complete and up-to-date records of suitability checks. The proprietor meets regularly with the school’s designated safeguarding lead and other members of the safeguarding team to check that all checks and records are in order.  The school is likely to meet the relevant parts of this independent school standard if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31  The proprietor has acquired the leasehold for the whole of the existing premises,

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Main inspection findings

which was previously shared with another organisation, since the previous standard inspection. This has increased the available space significantly. Work has been completed to reconfigure the internal space to make it suitable for the school’s use.  The premises includes a range of rooms and areas designed for different purposes, including kitchens, therapy rooms and a music room. Classrooms are well lit and appropriately resourced. The multi-purpose dining hall is suitably equipped to serve a range of functions at different times of the day.  The school’s medical room is suitably equipped and includes a lockable medicine cabinet, a sink and a toilet. Toilet and washing facilities are provided throughout the building. Drinking water is readily available.  Well-maintained outdoor areas provide pupils with space to play games, socialise and relax. Substantial fencing ensures that the site is secure.

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Main inspection findings

 The school is likely to meet this independent school standard if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The proprietor is knowledgeable about the independent school standards. They use a range of formal and informal procedures to maintain oversight of the school’s work and to ensure that the independent school standards are met consistently over time.  Leaders are knowledgeable about teaching pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They are committed to ensuring that every pupil achieves well, and they ensure that staff are suitably trained to understand pupils’ needs.  Leaders intend to take a sensible and proportionate approach to increasing the number of pupils on roll if the material change is approved. The main aim of the proposed increase in capacity is to introduce greater flexibility in curriculum planning

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Main inspection findings

and delivery. Leaders plan to increase the number of pupils on roll gradually over time with careful consideration given to pupils’ needs.  The school is likely to meet this independent school standard if the material change is approved.

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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

Proprietor Judy Packham Jeremy Cross Headteacher Leanne Jarvis

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School details

Email address office@springboardeducation.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 13 to 15 June 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 18 Not applicable Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 26 36 36

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 26 36 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 26 36

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 26 36

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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 26 36

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 18 18

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Many also have other specific learning needs. All pupils have an EHC plan. All pupils are placed at the school by one of four local authorities. School places are funded by the respective local authority.  The school is registered for up to 27 pupils between the ages of five and 18.  The proprietors are also the company directors. The school does not have a governing body.  The school’s last standard inspection took place in June 2023, when it was judged good.  The school does not use alternative provision currently.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to evaluate the school’s application for a material change. The proprietor wishes to increase the maximum number of pupils on roll from 27 to 36.  This was the school’s first material change inspection in respect of this particular change that the school has applied to make.  The lead inspector held discussions with the proprietor, the headteacher and the designated safeguarding lead. She toured the school site, reviewed the school’s website and considered a range of school policies and procedures. The lead inspector also visited the dining hall during the lunchtime break and spoke with pupils informally during the inspection.

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Inspection team

Julie Sackett, 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 looked-after children, 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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