Hopefields Education CiC

School material change inspection report

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Hopefields Education CiC Hopefields School, 16 High Force Road, Riverside Park, Middlesbrough TS2 1RH

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The school meets the independent school

standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor ensures that all staff receive comprehensive and regular safeguarding training to ensure that they are alert to potential safeguarding concerns.  The proprietor has devised several policies to support pupils’ safety and welfare. These include, among others, a detailed safeguarding policy, an online safety policy and an anti-bullying policy. The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website.  Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe through the curriculum for personal, social and health education, as well as educational visits.  The proprietor commissions support from several external agencies to ensure that there is a robust safeguarding culture in the school. This includes an annual safeguarding audit.  The proprietor demonstrates a secure understanding of local, contextual safeguarding risks.

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Main inspection findings

 The school provides pupils with a range of opportunities to support their wider welfare. Paragraph 11  The proprietor has drawn up an effective health and safety policy which is published on the school’s website. The policy sets out the responsibilities of different stakeholders within the school. It takes account of all aspects of health and safety, such as health and hygiene, electrical safety and site security.  As part of their induction, new staff are required to familiarise themselves with the health and safety policy. Paragraph 12  The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The proprietor commissions an external agency to conduct a fire risk assessment of the premises. The feedback from this assessment has been acted on. Another assessment is already scheduled for 2025.  Clear fire evacuation procedures are in place. Visitors are informed of these on arrival

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Main inspection findings

at the school.  The school conducts regular fire evacuation drills. Paragraph 14  The school is not intending to appoint any more staff if the proposed increase in pupil numbers is approved. However, current staffing levels are more than sufficient to ensure that pupils will remain properly supervised should the proposed increase in pupil numbers be approved. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)  The proprietor has ensured that a suitable risk assessment policy is in place.  Risk assessments are completed for educational visits. As well as making use of the external provider’s risk assessment, the school produces its own to ensure any risks to pupils are identified.  Individual safety plans and risk assessments are used for pupils where necessary.  The proprietor has ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve

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Main inspection findings

the implementation of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), and 18(3)  All required pre-employment checks are made on staff. The proprietor has ensured that robust recruitment procedures are in place. These include a requirement for candidates to complete the school’s own application form, and telephone calls to referees to validate references. Paragraphs 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), and 19(3)  The proprietor ensures that all appropriate checks are made on supply staff prior to them commencing employment at the school. On arrival at the school, leaders make checks to confirm the identity of supply staff. Supply staff are expected to undertake several visits to the school before they begin their employment. Paragraphs 20(6) to 20(6)(c)  All required pre-employment checks are made on members of the proprietor board. Paragraphs 21(1) to 21(3)(b) , 21(5) to 21(5)(c), and 21(6)

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Main inspection findings

 There is an electronic single central record in place. The proprietor commissions external support to ensure that the single central record is well maintained. The school’s single central record records all relevant checks on school staff and the dates on which those checks were made.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), and 24(2)  The premises have adequate toilets and washing facilities for the proposed number of pupils.  Pupils come dressed in sportswear on the day of their physical education (PE) lessons. These lessons take place during the afternoons so that pupils leave school immediately afterwards. The school does not have its own changing and shower facilities. It makes use of other local schools and gymnasiums where these facilities

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Main inspection findings

are available should pupils need them.  There is a medical room for the short-term treatment of pupils. The room has a sink, first aid equipment and a bed. The room is located near to toilets. Paragraphs 25 to 28(2)(b)  The premises are well maintained to ensure the health, safety and welfare of pupils. Rooms that contain potentially hazardous tools and equipment, such as knives and machinery, are kept locked.  The premises, including the toilet facilities, are suitable to accommodate the increased in pupil numbers if the change is agreed.  One of the directors undertakes a health and safety analysis periodically. This analysis identifies actions to be followed up. It shows that the school takes account of legislation and guidance in relation to health and safety.  Classrooms are spacious, with plenty of natural light. They are suitably insulated to ensure that teaching is not disrupted by external noise.

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Main inspection findings

 Externally, adequate lighting is fitted to ensure the safety of those entering and leaving the premises.  Pupils have access to drinking water as well as a variety of fruit juices. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  There is a small outdoor space at the side of the premises. This is adequate for the proposed number of pupils. It is secured by fencing and a locked gate. There is a range of equipment for pupils to use, including a swing and planting boxes. Pupils do not use this space for PE lessons, but it would be adequate should they need to.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor is also the headteacher. They have a secure understanding of the independent school standards and, over time, have demonstrated their capacity to

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Main inspection findings

meet these consistently.  Leaders and the proprietor fulfil their responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils. They have fully considered all aspects of the school’s provision and pupils’ well- being in their proposed increase to the number of pupils on the school’s roll.  The proprietor has devised a monitoring and evaluation schedule to enable them to make checks on the quality of education that pupils receive.  The proprietor commissions a wide range of external support to ensure that the school operates effectively.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material changes. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school is likely to meet the requirements of schedule 10 of 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 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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £25,567 to £47,852

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4 to 6 July 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 37 40 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 37 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 37 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 30 Not applicable

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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 29 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 10

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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’s last standard inspection took place from 4 to 6 July 2023.  The school caters primarily for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.  The school does not use any external alternative provision.  The school has a main site on the outskirts of Middlesbrough. The address for this site is 16 High Force Road, Middlesbrough TS2 1RH. Pupils also attend a farm at the nearby village of Wolviston. The address for this site is Cross Farm, Wynyard Road, Wolviston TS22 5LL.  The school is registered to admit 35 pupils. The school currently has 37 pupils on roll and has therefore exceeded the maximum number of pupils on roll that it is registered to admit. The school has not notified the DfE that it is operating beyond its registration agreement.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE commissioned this inspection as the school has applied to increase the number of pupils on roll from 35 to 40.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of this particular change that the school has applied to make.  To check compliance with the independent school standards, the inspector had a tour of the premises and met with the headteacher. The inspector also reviewed the school’s fire safety arrangements and several policies. These included the health and safety policy and risk management policy.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector reviewed the school’s single central record and met with the designated safeguarding lead.

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Inspection team

Philippa Kermotschuk, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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