Journey Education Group

School pre-registration inspection report

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Journey Education Group Oak Tree Lodge, Tickhill Road, Balby, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN4 8QN

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(i)  The proposed curriculum intends to match the ambition of the national curriculum. The proposed school has made effective use of commercial curriculums and its own plans to develop an ambitious curriculum. Curriculum maps outline a broad range of subjects for pupils to learn across key stages.  The school has developed well-thought-out schemes of work for all subjects that will be delivered. These include English, mathematics and science, as well as wider curriculum subjects such as art and the humanities.  The proposed school intends to admit pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders have considered how the proposed school curriculum will be adapted to meet the needs of pupils. Paragraphs 2A(1) to 2A(3)  The school has considered statutory guidance when deciding what pupils of different ages will learn in the sex, relationships and health education curriculum. The school

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Main inspection findings

has thought about how it will inform parents and carers of the content of the curriculum, and parents’ right to withdraw their child from these lessons.  Relationships and sex education (RSE) will be taught in ‘growth’ lessons. These are designed for pupils’ personal development. Aspects of the curriculum for RSE will also be woven into the wider curriculum. Relationships education and RSE themes will increase in complexity and maturity as pupils move through the proposed school. Paragraphs 3 to 3(j)  The school intends to provide an adapted curriculum offer for each pupil. It knows how to adapt curriculum planning to meet the individual needs of pupils. The curriculum will include different approaches to support pupils’ personal and emotional development alongside academic learning. Paragraph 4  Leaders knowledgeably describe the proposed school’s assessment procedures. These are supported by a clear curriculum and assessment policy. In addition, the policy

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Main inspection findings

outlines provision to measure pupils’ wider development and personal progress.  Staff of the proposed school will use pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plan targets in their overall assessment of pupils’ academic and personal progress. This will support pupils in achieving the targets outlined EHC plans.  The independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The proposed school has thought carefully about the curriculum for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. This is supported by a well-considered SMSC policy. The school recognises the importance of developing pupils’ self- knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.  The SMSC curriculum aims to support pupils to meet the targets set out in their EHC plans. In addition, curriculum plans for a range of subjects make links to pupils’ SMSC development.  Pupils’ understanding of fundamental British values will be actively developed through the curriculums for personal, social and health education (PSHE), RSE for older pupils and relationships education for younger pupils. British values are woven through aspects of the academic curriculum. This includes the development of pupils’ understanding of the protected characteristics.

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Main inspection findings

 Educational visits and learning experiences are planned to enable pupils to learn about their locality. For example, leaders will make regular use of a nearby forest school to learn about the outdoors and develop pupils’ understanding of the environment.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 6 to 7(b)  The proposed school’s safeguarding and child protection policy is comprehensive. It is available on the proposed school’s website.  The school understands its statutory responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. It has developed well-thought-out procedures to report, record and monitor any concerns about pupils’ welfare.  Appropriately trained staff will take the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) role. There are similarly trained staff to be deputy DSLs.  All staff will receive safeguarding training during their induction. This will be regularly updated in weekly staff development sessions. Paragraphs 9 and 10  The school uses expert knowledge of behaviour management to set high expectations. This will be utilised when opening the new school to ensure that it is calm and orderly.  The behaviour policy aims to promote positive behaviour through a ‘growth tracker’.

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Main inspection findings

This ensures that pupils will focus on individual targets that they will own. Staff will log any behavioural concerns, including bullying, and plan a whole-school response of support and/or intervention if needed.  The proposed school intends to keep electronic records of any behaviour incidents. These records will be analysed to spot patterns and trends in pupils’ behaviour. Appropriate support and intervention will then be put in place.  All teaching and teaching support staff have received positive handling training. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15  Appropriate health and safety policies and procedures are in place. The school understands the importance of these procedures to keep pupils, staff and any visitors to the proposed school safe. The proposed school has a detailed health and safety policy. This documents leaders’ roles and responsibilities and how the school will comply with relevant health and safety laws.

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Main inspection findings

 The school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The proprietor has acted comprehensively to address recommendations from the most recent fire risk assessment to ensure that this standard will be met. This includes, for example, the installation of additional fire signage and strengthening fire marshal responsibilities.  Regular fire drills will be undertaken. Each fire drill will be appropriately recorded.  The school knows how to maintain admission and attendance registers. It has developed an electronic system of recording pupil absences and daily attendance. This is supported by a paper back-up system. Paragraphs 16 to16(b)  The proposed school has developed an effective risk assessment process. This includes a risk register and a wide range of individual risk assessments. Risk assessments follow a consistent format. They identify potential risks and hazards in and outside the various parts of the proposed school. Risk assessments also detail the

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Main inspection findings

actions that will be taken to mitigate risk. This includes considering pupils’ specific SEND.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1) to 18(2)(e), 18(3) to 18(4)(c), 19(1) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3) to 19(4)(c), and 20(1) to 21(8)  Recruitment procedures are rigorous. The school will use an appropriate range of checks to ensure that adults are suitable to work with children.  The school knows how to manage a single central record (SCR). The SCR will be recorded using an electronic system.  The school understands the importance of ensuring that checks on adults are carried out with rigour and that these are appropriately recorded on the SCR.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(2), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 28 to 28(2)(b)  The school has ensured that pupils will have sole access to an appropriate number of toilets in the proposed premises. These will be for mixed use with floor-to-ceiling doors. Appropriate washing facilities will be in place.  Pupils will have access to showers and changing rooms to facilitate physical education (PE) lessons.  The school will have a medical room for the short-term use of pupils with injuries or medical needs. It will contain a first-aid kit and fold-away bed. The room is located near to the pupil toilets, with hot and cold water available.  There will be a cold-water dispenser that provides clean drinking water. The dispenser will be clearly marked as drinking water. There will also be hot water for hand washing. The temperature of hot water at the point of use will not pose a scalding risk

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Main inspection findings

to users. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27 to 27(b)  The premises are already presented to a high standard. They will be well maintained. There is adequate external lighting to ensure that people can safely enter and leave the premises.  The property is bright, engaging and with adequate room for small groups of pupils to work in suitable acoustic conditions. It includes space for staff and pupils to work one- to-one. Paragraphs 29 to 29(1)(b)  Outside areas provide sufficient space for pupils to play and learn. There is ample green space to cover aspects of the PE curriculum and to offer a range of outdoor curriculum activities.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(5)  The website for the proposed school contains links to the required policies mandated in ‘the standards’. These include the proposed school’s safeguarding and child protection policy, behaviour policy, health and safety policy and admissions policy.  The proposed school’s website is being further developed. It will provide information about the care and support the school proposes to offer. It contains the contact details of the proprietor and identifies the headteacher.  The school is aware of the requirement to publish inspection reports and examination results on the school website when they become available.  The school plans to account for the funding it will receive for pupils to relevant local authorities. The current fee structure includes the cost of therapies and interventions that will be provided through the school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  The proposed school has a complaints policy. It is published on the proposed school website. It clearly sets out how complaints will be handled and the timescales for resolution. The policy includes the option of a panel hearing for parents. It includes information about how to make informal and formal complaints through a three-stage process.  The school is aware of the requirement to record and store complaints. The complaints policy details procedures for securely keeping copies of complaints and chronology records.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(2)  The proprietor will also lead the proposed school. They are recruiting volunteers with a range of educational and financial backgrounds selectively to support them. This board, while not a governing body, will provide governance for the proposed school.  The director of education has a secure knowledge of the proposed school. They are actively involved in developing SEND provision, curriculum design and staff development.  Leaders of the proposed school demonstrate that they will actively promote the well- being of pupils. This is evident through their current work as an AP.  Leaders have established systems and processes that promote pupils’ safeguarding, SMSC development and relationships education. Independent careers advice and guidance will be offered to pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school has a written accessibility policy and action plan in place. The accessibility policy and action plan demonstrate effectively how the proposed school will meet its statutory responsibilities under 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

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Email address hello@journeyeducationgroup.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age 27 Number of pupils of compulsory school age who have an education, health and care plan, or who are looked after by a local authority Total hours operating as a school per week 22

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 19

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 17 5 to 18 5 to 18 Number of pupils on the school roll 27 28 28

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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 0 28

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 27 28

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 22 28

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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 27 28

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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 1 1

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed independent school is located in Balby, Doncaster. The premises are on the site of Tickhill Road Hospital. The proposed independent school occupies part of the first floor of one of the former hospital buildings. The premises are maintained by NHS England.  At present, leaders are operating an alternative provision (AP) on the premises of the proposed independent school. If the proposed school is successful in the application to become an independent school, leaders will close the AP and operate solely as an independent special school. Leaders expect that some pupils attending the AP will move into the independent school if registration is successful.  The proposed school intends to be an independent special school for pupils with a range of SEND, including social, emotional and mental health and autism. Most pupils will have an EHC plan. Places will be commissioned by the local authority in which the

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Information about this proposed school

pupil lives.  It is proposed that the school will provide full-time education for up to 28 pupils aged between 5 and 18 years.

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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.  Inspectors checked whether the provider is likely to meet the standards. The inspectors evaluated a range of evidence, including policies and plans relating to each part of the standards.  The inspectors held discussions with the proprietor, who will also be undertaking the role of headteacher, the director of education, the designated safeguarding lead, the curriculum leader and some members of the newly appointed governing body of the proposed school.  Inspectors scrutinised health and safety documentation, including the safeguarding and child protection policy. An inspector also checked the school’s staff recruitment and vetting processes, and the single central record.  An inspector undertook a tour of the proposed school building as well as the outside

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Information about this inspection

areas to evaluate the suitability of the premises for the purposes of being an independent special school.

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Inspection team

David Mills, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

David Penny Ofsted 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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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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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