Darwin School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Darwin School Baldersby St James, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 4PT

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(i)  The proposed school has a suitable curriculum policy. It reflects the school’s values and ethos and promotes fundamental British values well.  The intended curriculum is broad and ambitious. Pupils will study a range of academic subjects. Curriculum subjects are well sequenced and progressive. The proposed school intends to provide opportunities for pupils to work towards recognised qualifications such as GCSE, BTEC National Diploma and Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network.  Most pupils who are likely to attend the proposed school will have missed periods of education before attending and some will have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders understand that some pupils will have gaps in their knowledge that will need to be addressed.  The proprietor knows the procedures for ensuring that pupils who have an education,

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Main inspection findings

health and care plan (EHC plan) and looked-after children receive timely reviews of their personal targets, support and provision. The proprietor proposes that the school will have access to the services of a team of therapists. It is intended that the therapists will provide advice to staff to inform teaching strategies and personalised support for pupils when necessary.  Leaders propose to provide opportunities for pupils to access independent careers guidance. They plan to work with further education providers and workplaces. They will measure the effectiveness of the school’s careers programme against the Gatsby Benchmarks. Paragraphs 2A(1) to 2A(2)  Leaders have considered what pupils will learn in the relationships and sex education and health education curriculum. The content of the intended curriculum is in line with statutory guidance. Arrangements are in place to consult with parents and carers on

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Main inspection findings

the content of the curriculum. Paragraphs 3 to 3(j)  The proprietor intends to appoint only qualified teachers as well as some support staff. This is to promote the proprietor’s aspiration for high-quality teaching by subject specialists.  The proposed school has identified appropriate systems through which leaders will check the quality of teaching and learning. These include plans to quality assure pupils’ work, carry out learning walks and liaise with colleagues working in other schools.  Leaders have planned a thorough induction process for new staff. This includes pertinent training to support staff to manage pupils’ social, emotional and mental health and behaviour needs. Behaviour management expectations and procedures are appropriately designed. They reflect the small, nurturing school environment and caring ethos that leaders propose to establish for pupils.  The proprietor has invested in an appropriate range of resources to support pupils to

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Main inspection findings

learn the curriculum effectively. For example, curriculum schemes of work and resources support the planned curriculum. Interactive television screens and computers for pupils have been purchased to support teaching and learning. Paragraph 4  The proposed school has appropriate frameworks for assessment for different curriculum subjects. Leaders plan that staff will check what pupils know and can remember in each subject. Leaders intend to collate a range of information about pupils when they join the school so that teachers are clear about what pupils know and can do from the start.  Leaders intend that, when relevant, teachers will consider pupils’ specific SEND or EHC plan targets to inform their teaching and ongoing assessment of pupils academic, social and personal development.  The proprietor has relevant experience of working with pupils who are likely to attend the school. Leaders demonstrate a thorough understanding of the quality of education

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Main inspection findings

and care that they propose to provide for pupils. For example, they intend to promote the importance of equality and awareness of diversity through the curriculum and through a range of enrichment experiences for pupils.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The proprietor has carefully considered the curriculum for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. Curriculum plans across a range of subjects aim to enhance aspects of pupils’ SMSC development, most notably in discrete personal, social, health and economic education and citizenship lessons.  Leaders have ensured that teaching to support pupils in developing their understanding of protected characteristics is woven through curriculum topics of learning. Assemblies, visiting speakers and extra-curricular experiences are planned to develop pupils’ knowledge of life in modern Britain.  The curriculum is designed with the intention that pupils will learn about different faiths and celebrate religious festivals and cultural events throughout the school year. Opportunities are planned for pupils to engage in debates and consider the beliefs and

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Main inspection findings

viewpoints of others.  Leaders sensibly plan to make the most of the fact that the school premises sit in the heart of a close-knit village community. They are eager that pupils take an active part in village life. For example, they have begun to forge links with the local church. Daily afternoon activities are planned to prepare pupils for life beyond school. These may include learning cooking skills in the school’s kitchen, growing vegetables in the school’s garden, walking in the countryside or equine therapy.  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 7 to 7(b)  The proprietor has a suitable understanding of the required safeguarding policies and procedures to establish an effective culture for safeguarding. There is a suitable policy in place. It is in line with current statutory guidance. It is to be published on the school’s website and made available to parents on request.  There is a comprehensive training programme for staff to gain a secure understanding for safeguarding pupils. Designated safeguarding leads have been identified.  Leaders are aware of the vulnerability of the pupils who will attend the proposed school. The school intends to work closely with external professionals when needed to keep pupils safe. Paragraphs 9 to 10  The proposed school’s policies for managing pupils’ behaviour and incidents of bullying are suitable. The proprietor has ensured that these policies consider pupils’

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Main inspection findings

needs carefully. Staff will be trained in strategies to help pupils understand and manage their behaviour and emotions.  Leaders intend that the school will focus on the importance of developing positive, trusting relationships between staff and pupils. Leaders intend to promote high expectations for pupils’ behaviour. The school environment is designed to help pupils feel calm and comfortable.  Leaders have pertinent arrangements in place to keep written records of pupils’ behaviour. These records will be scrutinised regularly to identify patterns and trends in behaviour and provide bespoke support for pupils when necessary. Paragraphs 11 to 16(b)  The proprietor has produced appropriate health and safety and risk assessment policies. Suitable systems are in place to ensure the safety of staff and pupils. The proprietor intends to complete comprehensive risk assessments to keep pupils safe. Examples of risk assessments provided by leaders are fit for purpose. They identify

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Main inspection findings

risks and the actions staff should take to mitigate them.  The school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Leaders have put in place suitable measures to keep pupils safe in the event of a fire. For example, emergency lighting is in place and firefighting equipment is installed. Staff are to receive fire safety training.  The first-aid policy outlines how staff will care for pupils who may need first aid or basic medical care while at school. The proprietor has identified that staff will receive relevant training to administer first aid. Suitable first-aid equipment has been purchased. Medication will be stored securely.  Leaders have thought carefully about the number of staff required to supervise pupils. The proposed number of staff is suitable to ensure that pupils are adequately supervised and kept safe. Paragraph 15  Leaders have effective systems in place for admissions and for monitoring pupils’

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Main inspection findings

attendance. The admissions register template shows that the correct information will be collected about pupils on admission. Attendance registers will be taken twice each day. Pupils’ attendance and absence will be recorded using the Department for Education’s (DfE) register codes.  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(2) to 21(7)(b)  The proposed school has an electronic single central record. Leaders have begun to appoint staff. The necessary checks have been carried out to ensure that these staff are suitable to work with children.  Leaders understand the procedures to ensure the school’s compliance with statutory requirements for recruitment of staff and members of the proprietor body.  The school does not intend to use supply or agency staff. However, leaders know the checks that must be completed if this should be necessary.  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 29(1)(b)  The proposed school is located on the site of a former village primary school. The proprietor has refurbished the building to a high standard while maintaining the authenticity of the 19th century building. The school is likely to offer a high-quality learning environment for pupils.  Suitable washing and toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet, are available for pupils. These are lockable from the inside.  An appropriate medical room has been identified for the short-term care or examination of ill or injured pupils. This is appropriately equipped and located next to a toilet.  The proprietor has taken suitable measures to ensure that the hot water does not pose a risk of scalding. Drinking-water is provided for pupils.  There are suitable outdoor spaces for physical education (PE) lessons to take place. The outdoor area for the proposed school offers pupils appropriate areas to play,

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Main inspection findings

enjoy gardening, sit and reflect, and take part in sports.  Classrooms are spacious and have appropriate acoustics. The internal and external lighting is effective.  Suitable changing accommodation and showering facilities are provided for pupils for PE lessons.  The proprietor proposes to maintain regular checks on the premises to ensure the health and safety of staff and pupils.  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(4)(c)  The proposed school’s website is not yet live. However, the website has been created and populated with the required statutory information. The website page will be accessible through a link on the proprietor’s company website page.  The proprietor understands the requirement to provide the necessary details to the responsible local authorities for pupils who are looked-after children and those who have an EHC plan. An appropriate template has been created.  Leaders have ensured that there are suitable policies in place for the school. Policies, including those for safeguarding, admissions and the management of pupils’ behaviour, will be published on the school’s website and are available to parents on request.  The proposed school has a framework to track the progress and attainment of pupils. Reports of pupils’ progress and attainment will be provided to parents through a

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Main inspection findings

suitable annual written report.  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 proprietor has produced a pertinent complaints policy that sets out clearly how complaints will be managed. It includes appropriate timescales for responding to complaints. The process parents can follow at each stage is transparent. The policy will be published on the proposed school’s website.  Leaders are aware of the requirement to publish the number of complaints that the school may receive.  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(1)(c)  The proprietor is aspirational for the quality of education that the proposed school can provide for pupils. Leaders have the knowledge and skills necessary to establish secure oversight of the school. There is a genuine determination to provide a nurturing and ambitious education that will meet the needs of pupils well.  Leaders have relevant experience of working in education and the care system. They are establishing purposeful relationships with the local authority that is likely to place some pupils at the school. They intend to work closely with colleagues caring for pupils in the proprietor’s children’s homes.  The proprietor has identified leaders with relevant qualifications and skills to support the strategic oversight of the school, including for health and safety, safeguarding and the quality of education. Leaders are outward facing. They intend to establish

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Main inspection findings

meaningful partnerships with the local community, other local schools and external professionals.  Leaders have a secure understanding of the standards. They have taken appropriate action to ensure that the standards will be checked regularly and consistently met.  The proprietor has made appropriate decisions to ensure the school is ready to open. Leaders demonstrate that they will promote the welfare of pupils and understand their statutory duties actively.  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 suitable accessibility plan. Leaders have taken appropriate steps to ensure that the school building is accessible. They are aware of adaptations that may need to be made to the curriculum to meet some pupils’ needs. A written accessibility plan details the actions leaders intend to take over the next few years to ensure the school’s continued compliance with 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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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 24 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 24 Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable 12

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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 Not applicable 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 1

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 0

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is located on the site of a former village primary school at Baldersby St James, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4PT.  The proposed school will be an independent school that will offer full-time education for up to 24 pupils aged between 11 and 16 years.  It is proposed that the school will cater for some pupils who are looked-after children and some pupils with SEND. Some of these pupils will have an EHC plan.  At the time of the inspection, some staff had been appointed, including a headteacher.  The proposed school may be likely to use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the DfE to determine whether the school is likely to meet the standards should the DfE decide to register the proposed school.  This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspectors held meetings with the headteacher and the chair of the proprietor body.  An inspector toured the proposed school site with leaders to check the suitability of the premises.  Inspectors scrutinised and evaluated a range of documentation provided by leaders of the proposed school. These included policies and procedures related to health and safety, teaching and learning, curriculum planning, risk assessment, administration of first aid, safeguarding, complaints and fire safety.  An inspector scrutinised the proposed school’s planned website.  The inspectors checked the arrangements for staff recruitment, scrutinised various safeguarding documents, viewed the single central record and discussed the school’s

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Inspection team

Stephanie Innes-Taylor, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Philippa Kermotschuk 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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