Elderbrook School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Arc School Old Arley Ansley Lane, Old Arley, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV7 8NU

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(c), and 3(d)  At the last standard inspection, the school was not ensuring that all lessons met the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Lessons did little to reduce the gaps in the pupils’ knowledge and, in some cases, widened them. By the time of the first monitoring inspection, there had been development to how well the curriculum was adapted to meet the varying additional needs of the pupils. However, there remained some variability in how well the lessons accurately matched the needs and prior attainments of the pupils. This meant that some pupils could not retain the needed knowledge. Staff only sometimes had a deep enough understanding of pupils’ additional needs to adapt the curriculum accordingly.  Since the last progress monitoring inspection, significant progress has been made in implementing the curriculum. Leaders have followed their action plan carefully, providing

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Main inspection findings

various training opportunities for all staff. This includes regular sessions for everyone and extra support for those who need additional guidance. The school provides staff with ongoing feedback and support. This is helping to improve the quality and consistency of curriculum implementation. This inspection found that there is now greater consistency in how the curriculum is delivered. Staff use their expertise to inspire and engage pupils in learning. When needed, staff swiftly adjust the curriculum to ensure pupils understand and succeed in their learning and meet their needs and abilities.  These standards are now met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5b(v)  At the last standard inspection, opportunities for pupils to learn about different cultures needed to be better planned and integrated throughout the curriculum. By the time of the last progress monitoring inspection, this was still the case, and leaders

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Main inspection findings

acknowledged that this area needed further development.  Since the last progress monitoring inspection, considerable work has been completed to develop pupils’ awareness and understanding of cultures different from their own. Pupils now have a developing understanding of different religions, faith communities and cultural celebrations, such as the Chinese New Year. The ‘Culture Club’ staff group has brought together members of staff from different roles in the school to create a clear vision for developing pupils’ cultural awareness. There is now excitement in developing not only an understanding of the different cultures and faith communities but also an understanding of the protected characteristics. Work in books demonstrates that pupils access a broad range of opportunities to get them ready for the world around them. The school helps them to develop a deep and respectful understanding of different people in

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Main inspection findings

the community.  This standard is now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  Safeguarding continues to be effective. The school’s safeguarding policy aligns with statutory guidelines, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Continuous training and professional development equip all staff members with the expertise needed to respond effectively to concerns about pupils. The school ensures that all safeguarding decisions are well-considered and that all issues are handled swiftly and effectively. The school has rigorous procedures for reviewing and assuring the quality of record-keeping, including the concern forms submitted by staff. Clear lines of accountability help staff to remain vigilant in identifying potential risks to pupils. Rigorous procedures for reviewing and assessing report quality strengthen accountability, encouraging staff to remain

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Main inspection findings

vigilant in identifying potential risks to pupils. Regular training, debrief discussions, and weekly pastoral meetings have enhanced the culture of safeguarding even further.  These standards continue to be met. Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school continues to publish its arrangements for safeguarding pupils on its website. This document is in line with statutory guidance.  This standard continues to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  At the last standard inspection, the school did not ensure that the standards were consistently met. The school had not ensured that persons with leadership and management responsibilities had sufficient knowledge and skills to ensure that the school consistently met the standards. By the time of the progress monitoring inspection, the newly formed leadership team had brought new enthusiasm and drive to the school.

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Main inspection findings

There was a clarity of understanding about the standards and a forensic understanding of the gaps in provision. However, some standards were still unmet, and more work was needed to ensure that all standards were consistently met.  Since the previous progress monitoring inspection, the proprietor and staff at all levels have worked tenaciously to ensure that all remaining standards from the progress monitoring inspection have been met. Their drive and commitment to the pupils at the school is unrelenting. During the inspection, pupils spoke positively about the changes and the difference the school has made to them. Staff, parents, and carers are unequivocally positive about the developments at the school. However, much of this work has happened over the last year, and some standards have only recently been met. This means there still is insufficient evidence of a track record to ensure that the standards are consistently met over time.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet 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, as set out in the annex of this report. 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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Email address arcoldarley@kedlestongroup.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 20 to 22 February 2024

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Information about this school

 Arc School Old Arley is an independent day school that provides education for pupils aged 7 to 16. The DfE registered the school on 3 October 1989.  The school is currently registered to admit up to 70 pupils. There are currently 49 on roll.  The school operates from: Ansley Lane, Old Arley, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV7 8NU.  Pupils attending the school have a range of social, emotional, and mental health needs. Most have an education, health, and care (EHC) plan. Most have been permanently excluded from or were at high risk of being permanently excluded from their previous school.  Since the last standard inspection, several changes have been made to the leadership team, including a new headteacher and deputy headteacher who took up posts in June 2024.  The school does not use any registered or unregistered alternative provision.  The school’s last full standard inspection was from 20 to 22 February 2024. The first

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Information about this school

progress monitoring inspection took place on the 12 November 2024.

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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 school’s progress in meeting the standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  At the school’s last standard inspection, which was carried out in February 2024, the school did not comply with all the standards.  The Department for Education required the school to prepare an action plan.  Ofsted evaluated this action plan on 7 February 2025.  This was the second progress monitoring inspection since the school was found not to comply with the standards at its last standard inspection in February 2024. The first progress monitoring inspection took place on 12 November 2024.  The school was not given any prior notice of this progress monitoring inspection. The inspector arrived at the start of the school day.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector met with the headteacher, the proprietor’s quality assurance lead, and other senior leadership team members. He also met remotely with a representative of the proprietor and the school’s regional director.  The inspector examined several policies, schemes of work and plans, visited classrooms, spoke to pupils, and looked at work in pupils’ books.  The inspector spoke with two groups of pupils to understand their experiences of school and their understanding of different cultures in the local and wider communities.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents. These requirements of the independent school standards are met. The inspector examined the school’s most recent action plan and considered evidence of progress against planned actions. The inspector discussed the progress

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Information about this inspection

against the previously unmet standards with the headteacher, assistant headteacher and the proprietor.

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Inspection team

Chris Pollitt, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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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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standards

 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; – 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;

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standards

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor- – 5(b)(v) further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures; 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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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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