Progress Schools - Tees Valley

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Progress Schools – Tees Valley 114 Fabian Road, Eston, Middlesbrough TS6 9RQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2), 2(2)(h), 3, 3(a)  At the time of the last monitoring inspection, the school had intentions to create a curriculum that included adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It particularly needed to design schemes of work for art and design, science and physical education (PE).  The school has made significant progress towards the requirements of these independent school standards (the standards). The school, with the support of the Progress Schools central team, has developed schemes of work for art and design, science and PE. The schemes indicate the knowledge and skills that pupils need to know. For example, the school has a well-structured PE curriculum, emphasising skill development and teamwork.  The school considers the different starting points for each pupil, including those with

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Main inspection findings

specific SEND. This enables pupils to access tasks and qualifications that are appropriate to their individual needs and aspirations.  At the previous monitoring inspection, pupils were not making progress over time. This was because the curriculum did not support pupils to know more and remember more. The school’s work to redesign the schemes of work ensures that pupils are now securing essential knowledge.  The school checks pupils’ understanding to identify any gaps in their knowledge. Leaders ensure that the timetable allows for pupils to catch up where any gaps have been identified. This ensures that pupils do not move on until content is fully understood. This is supporting pupils to progress well through the curriculum.  The school now meets all the previously unmet requirements in this part. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 9, 9 (b), 16, 16(a), 16(b)  At the request of the registration authority, inspectors checked that the arrangements for

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Main inspection findings

safeguarding were effective. The school ensures that safeguarding policies, procedures and practices protect pupils.  The school’s single central record is overseen by the proprietor body central team. The team is knowledgeable about the recruitment process and the appropriate checks needed to ensure the suitability of those working at the school. This ensures that pupils are taught by qualified and skilled adults.  The school has several systems for recording the actions taken to safeguard pupils. On occasions, these records do not fully reflect the actions that staff have taken to keep pupils safe.  The school has a behaviour policy. The staff understand the expectations and the systems in place to maintain positive behaviour. Training has supported staff to improve their behaviour management practice.  The school has a risk assessment policy. This ensures that the school identifies potential problems associated with particular tasks and activities. The school takes action to

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Main inspection findings

mitigate the potential impact of risks on pupils and staff. Individual risk assessments outline the control measures that keep pupils safe.  These standards have been maintained since the last monitoring inspection. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  At the previous progress monitoring inspection, some of the standards in part 8 were not met. The school’s subsequent action plan was found to be not effective in supporting the school to meet these standards.  The school took decisive action to amend the action plan deemed ineffective in August 2024. It made considerable changes to ensure that the timescales and actions are appropriate. Some aspects of the school have improved considerably, such as the curriculum and behaviour management. Additional support from the proprietor body central team ensures that the curriculum is fit for purpose.

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Main inspection findings

 These standards are now met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an accessibility plan that fulfils the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £14,000 to £32,000

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School details

Email address teesvalleyps@progress-schools.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 20 to 22 June 2023

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Information about this school

 This school’s previous standard inspection was in June 2023. This was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008.  The school operates from 114 Fabian Road, Eston, Middlesbrough TS6 9RQ.  The school uses two unregistered alternative provisions.  The school is registered to admit 50 pupils.  The school currently has only 14- to 16-year-olds on site.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The inspection was also commissioned because of concerns raised with the Department for education (DfE) about safeguarding.  Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.  Inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  The registration authority required the school to prepare the action plan as a result of non-compliance with the independent school standards being identified on the previous standard inspection. This proposed action plan was found not to be acceptable in August

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Information about this inspection

2024.  This was the second monitoring inspection to take place following the standard inspection. The first monitoring inspection was in April 2024.  This progress monitoring inspection was conducted without notice.  Inspectors met with the headteacher and the managing director of the proprietary board, via a telephone call.  Inspectors looked at the curriculum design and spoke to the headteacher about the sequencing of learning. Inspectors completed a learning walk around the school.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors: reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  Inspectors met with staff and pupils to gain their views.

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The school’s progress in meeting previously failed standards

During the inspection we checked whether the school now meets the independent school standards that it was judged to have failed at its previous progress monitoring inspection in April 2024.

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The school’s progress in meeting previously failed standards

 The outcome of this part of the inspection is: the school now meets the previously failed standards.

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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 subparagraph (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.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are– – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught.

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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.

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Inspection team

Alison Stephenson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Marcus Newby 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

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

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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