Arise Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Arise Academy Cornerstones, 14 Willis Road, Croydon, CR0 2XX

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(i)  The previous standard inspection found that the school’s curriculum was not well thought through. In some subjects, the curriculum was not well sequenced. Some elements of the curriculum lacked ambition and did not consider each pupil’s education, health and care plan (EHC plan) well. The school’s schemes of work did not meet the requirements of the independent school standards.  The school’s action plan proposed to put in place a curriculum policy and schemes of work that identified the key knowledge and skills that pupils needed to learn and remember. Also, it proposed to set out how the curriculum was to be adapted to the ages, aptitudes and needs of pupils, taking into consideration each pupil’s EHC plan.  The proprietor has taken successful action and put an effective curriculum and teaching and learning policy in place to guide the school’s work. All subjects now have schemes of

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Main inspection findings

work which are comprehensive and detailed. These medium-term plans have a strong focus on knowledge and subject content, key questions, pedagogy and resources. Teachers include details of adaptions to meet the needs of individual pupils, for example additional practice to consolidate learning in mathematics.  Subject content is broken down and well sequenced to ensure pupils’ engagement and help them make progress. Pupils’ work and participation in lessons show that this is particularly strong in the core subjects and art. Paragraph 3, 3(c), to (3)(e)  The previous standard inspection found that there were weaknesses in teaching. Staff’s subject knowledge was variable and some teachers did not adapt their teaching effectively to meet pupils’ needs.  The action plan set out the proprietor’s intention to recruit specialist subject teachers and provide an improved training programme, including regular training for staff to meet

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Main inspection findings

the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Also, the action plan set out leaders’ intention to implement baseline assessments of pupils.  The school has implemented these planned actions. There are now specialist subject staff for all core and foundation subjects. Teachers’ subject knowledge is strong. Staff model key subject vocabulary well, so that pupils can use it in their own writing and in discussion. There is a weekly training programme for staff to further develop their expertise.  Leaders with responsibility for SEND have ensured that staff know about the needs of pupils, so that they can support them effectively. Useful baseline assessments have been completed, and leaders have set up training for staff. Staff are confident to use a range of strategies to meet those needs and help pupils to learn and behave well. Teachers make effective adaptions, for example using drawings and stories as contexts for subject

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Main inspection findings

content, tailoring language on worksheets, questioning and providing individual support and intervention.  The improvements in curriculum planning and teaching have had a positive impact on pupils’ behaviour. There is a positive environment for learning, and staff skilfully support and manage pupils’ behaviour. Pupils are ready and keen to learn.  The standards checked on this inspection are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, to 7(b), 32(1)(c)  At the previous inspection, all the standards relating to safeguarding were met.  Pupils feel safe and trust adults to help them. The safeguarding team is well qualified and knowledgeable, and staff understand their responsibilities. Case studies show leaders’ appropriate response, action, and review, when pupils need help. School leaders and the proprietor’s central human resources team work well together to ensure that safer recruitment is effective and that the single central record is comprehensive and

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Main inspection findings

compliant. The safeguarding policy meets requirements and is available for parents.  These standards continue to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), to 34(1)(b)  The previous standard inspection found that the proprietor body knew the school well and provided effective support and challenge to the leadership team. However, a few of the independent school standards linked to the quality of education had not been met consistently.  In the action plan, the school proposed that leaders would work with external partners to audit their knowledge and skills and establish a self-assessment and quality-assurance cycle to ensure that all the independent school standards are met.  Through carrying out their planned actions, the proprietor and school leaders have taken effective steps to improve the quality of education for pupils. There is a strong sense of community, and a culture of honesty and transparency in the school. Staff feel well

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Main inspection findings

supported. Leaders are self-evaluative and can identify the aspects they need to continue to improve. There is strong leadership capacity going forward. Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in part 1 that were previously unmet are now met.  The standards checked on this inspection are now met.

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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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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 sub- paragraph (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. ◼ 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being

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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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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 6

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School details

Proprietor Horizon Education (South London) Limited

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £72,050 to £102,000

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School details

Email address ariseinfo@horizoncare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4 to 6 June 2024

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous inspection was a full standard inspection in June 2024, which was the school’s first inspection since its registration.  Since the previous inspection, several new subject leaders have been appointed.  All pupils attending the school have EHC plans. Pupils have a range of needs, including social, emotional and mental health needs, alongside other additional needs such as those associated with autism.  The school currently uses two unregistered alternative providers.  Pupils receive physical education provision at the local park and Thornton Heath Leisure Centre, CR7 8LF.

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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.  This was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection since its standard inspection in June 2024. The inspection was conducted without notice.  Following the previous inspection, leaders submitted an action plan. This was judged by Ofsted to be unacceptable in October 2024 and was subsequently rejected by the Department for Education.  The focus of the inspection was to check whether the school complies with particular requirements in parts 1 and 8 of the standards. The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central register of pre- employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents

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Information about this inspection

and carers. These requirements of the independent school standards are met.  The inspector met with a representative of the proprietor, the headteacher and other members of the senior team, and those responsible for safeguarding and special educational needs. The inspector visited lessons, and scrutinised curriculum plans and pupils’ work. The inspector met with some pupils and a group of staff, and visited a professional development session.

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Inspection team

Janet Hallett, lead inspector 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

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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