Falcons Learning

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Falcons Learning Newport Street, Goole DN14 6TL

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  At the time of the previous progress monitoring inspection in October 2024, the school did not take a rigorous or vigilant enough approach to safeguarding. There were fundamental weaknesses in record-keeping, including the single central record. The school’s staff did not know the correct procedure for reporting safeguarding concerns about members of staff.  The school proposed to address this unmet standard by providing staff with immediate training on their reporting and recording responsibilities. It also proposed to provide staff with more regular safeguarding training and updates. The school proposed to appoint a governor with responsibility for the oversight of safeguarding policy and practice. It also proposed to employ an external expert to provide training on the maintenance of the single central record.  The school has acted with appropriate urgency to address this previously unmet

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Main inspection findings

standard. It has provided staff with training on reporting and recording safeguarding concerns, including about members of staff. It has also introduced weekly safeguarding updates for staff and developed an annual cycle of staff safeguarding training. School leaders have received training from an appropriate external provider with regard to the maintenance of the single central record. A member of the governing body, with responsibility for safeguarding, has been appointed and has audited the school’s safeguarding practice.  These actions have established rigorous safeguarding systems and processes in the school. Staff know and understand their safeguarding responsibilities and are vigilant in their approach. School leaders now possess the knowledge and skills they need to maintain a strong safeguarding culture at the school. Paragraph 15  At the time of the previous progress monitoring inspection, the school did not record

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Main inspection findings

pupils’ attendance regularly or systematically on the school’s electronic register.  The school proposed to commission an external audit of its attendance practices. It also proposed to introduce daily checking of the electronic register and to provide staff with appropriate training.  The school has acted with appropriate urgency and rigour to strengthen its recording of pupils’ attendance. Staff have received training in completing the electronic register. Importantly, they have also received training on the relationship between pupils’ absence and safeguarding. The school now gives high priority to the recording of pupils’ attendance. Pupils are registered at the start of the school day and at the start of each subsequent lesson. The attendance register is now completed by staff in a timely and systematic way.  The school now meets all the previously unmet requirements in this part. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 18(3)  At the previous progress monitoring inspection, the school’s processes with regard to pre-employment checks on staff were not rigorous enough. For members of staff employed since the school’s standard inspection, some checks were made after the members of staff had started employment at the school.  The school proposed to change the process for completing and recording pre- employment checks on staff. It also proposed to commission an external audit of the school’s processes with regard to pre-employment checks on staff.  The school has acted with appropriate urgency. It has undertaken a thorough external audit of its practice with regard to the completion and recording of pre-employment checks on staff. The school has changed the process for carrying out pre-employment checks and maintenance of the single central record. Staff carrying out these checks possess the requisite knowledge and skills. All relevant pre-employment checks on staff

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Main inspection findings

appointed since the previous progress monitoring inspection have been completed prior to the staff starting employment at the school. Paragraphs 21(1), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii)  At the time of the previous progress monitoring inspection, the school did not record on its single central record the receipt of written confirmation of pre-employment checks on supply staff.  The school proposed to amend its single central record. It proposed to include a column for recording receipt of written confirmation of pre-employment checks from supply agencies.  The school no longer employs supply staff. However, the school now knows and understands its responsibilities with regard to securing and recording evidence of pre- employment checks on supply staff. It has amended appropriately, the relevant part of its single central record.  The school now meets all the previously unmet requirements in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  At the time of the previous progress monitoring inspection, the school had not acted to ensure that it met the independent school standards (‘the standards’) consistently over time. It had not ensured that those responsible for school leadership and management had the requisite knowledge and skills to fulfil their roles effectively. Safeguarding arrangements at the school were ineffective.  The school proposed to undertake a review of leadership and governance. It proposed to increase the number of governing body meetings.  The school has acted quickly to strengthen governance. It has recruited new governors, who possess skills to support the school. For example, they have an experience of working in education and an understanding of safeguarding.  The school has implemented an audit and checking policy, with responsibility for

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Main inspection findings

different parts of the standards given to members of the leadership team. Members of the leadership team receive ongoing training and professional development. This is developing the knowledge and skills they need to fulfil their roles effectively and begin to build capacity in leadership.  The school has responded with appropriate urgency and rigour to address the unmet standards at the previous progress monitoring inspection. The school now meets all of the standards. The proprietor has strengthened school provision through changes to leadership and governance, professional development for staff and more rigorous monitoring and evaluation. The school has demonstrated that it can now meet the standards consistently over time.  The school now meets all the previously unmet requirements in this part.

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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 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- - 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and - 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006[13].

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(3) The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub-paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment.  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(5) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation to supply staff- - 21(5)(a) whether written notification has been received from the employment business that- - 21(5)(a)(i) checks corresponding to those referred to in sub-paragraph (3)(a)(i) to (iv), (vi) and (vii) have been made to the extent relevant to any such person; and - 21(5)(a)(ii) an enhanced criminal record check has been made and that it or another employment business has obtained an enhanced criminal record certificate in response to such a check.

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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; and - 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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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

School status 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 3

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 30 April to 2 May 2024

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Information about this school

 The school’s last standard inspection took place on 30 April to 2 May 2024. The school received a subsequent progress monitoring inspection on 23 October 2024.  The school uses no providers of alternative provision.  The school operates from Newport Street, Goole DN14 6TL.  The school caters for pupils with a range of special educational needs, primarily social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils who attend the school have education, health and care (EHC) plans.  The school is registered to admit 27 pupils.

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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 school’s previous inspection, at which the school was judged not to comply with the independent school standards, was a progress monitoring inspection and took place on 23 October 2024. The school’s last standard inspection took place on 30 April to 2 May 2024.  This was the school’s second progress monitoring inspection. Its previous progress monitoring inspection took place on 23 October 2024.  The Department for Education (DfE) required the school to prepare an action plan. This was a statutory requirement.  Ofsted evaluated the school’s action plan on 7 February 2025. The DfE rejected the

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Information about this inspection

school’s action plan.  This progress monitoring inspection was conducted without notice.  To check compliance with the standards, the inspectors met with the chair of the proprietor body, who is also the headteacher of the school, the deputy headteacher and with other staff.  Inspectors also met with some pupils and scrutinised school documentation.  The inspection also considered whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers and whether the school meets its statutory duties under Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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The school’s proposed change to the maximum number of pupils

The school has applied to the DFE to make a ‘material change’ to its registration. At the DfE’s request, we checked whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the DfE decides to approve the change. This part of the inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002.  The outcome of this part of the inspection is the school is unlikely to meet the

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(i)  The school’s curriculum is not designed or sequenced to ensure progression in learning for pupils if the school, as proposed, changes from a key stage-based curriculum to a year-based curriculum. Also, the school does not have a discrete post-16 curriculum.  The proprietor has not ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  The school has a strong culture of safeguarding. Paragraphs 9 to 9(c)  The school has a behaviour policy that includes some sanctions and keeps a record of sanctions. However, the school’s policy is not rigorous enough with regard to different levels of sanctions. If the material change were approved, the frequency of inappropriate behaviour would increase, and it would become difficult for the school to manage behaviour effectively. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 to 16(b)  The school’s policies and practice with regard to health and safety, fire regulations and the assessment of risk are secure. The school’s plans for increased staffing are appropriate. The school maintains its admissions and attendance registers effectively.  The proprietor has not ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

Paragraphs 18(2) to 21(7)(b)  The school carries out all relevant pre-employment checks on staff, governors and members of the proprietor body in a timely and rigorous manner. The school does not use supply staff.  The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Part 5. Premises and accommodation at schools

Paragraphs 23(1) to 30  The school maintains its premises and accommodation to a standard that ensures pupils’ health and safety. Its facilities are sufficient to accommodate the proposed increase in pupils.  The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1(c)  The school does not currently have the leadership capacity to lead and manage a school with more pupils than its current maximum number of twenty-seven pupils.  The proprietor has not ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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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; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that- - 9(b) the policy is implemented effectively; and

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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; and

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Information about the material change inspection

 The material change requested by the school was to increase its maximum number of pupils from 27 to 45. This did not affect the nature of the school’s educational provision.  This was the school’s second material change inspection with regard to increasing its maximum number of pupils.  The school’s first material change inspection took place at the same time as the school’s first standard inspection on 30 April to 2 May 2024. The school requested to increase its maximum number of pupils from 24 to 65. During this inspection, the school withdrew its request.  In January 2025, the DfE granted the school’s material change request to increase its maximum number of pupils from 24 to 27. The DfE did not commission Ofsted to carry out a material change inspection with regard to this request.

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Inspection team

Ian Rawstorne, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Tricia Stevens 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

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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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