Rainbow Hub School

School material change inspection report

p.1

Rainbow Hub School Rainbow Hub, Salt Pit Lane, Mawdesley, Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 2QX

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 1 to 2(2)(c)  The school has a clear curriculum policy for the proposed 11 to 16 provision. This is supported by relevant curriculum plans in all areas of learning. The schemes of work are matched to the aptitudes and abilities of pupils. All schemes of work are highly adapted to pupils’ needs and there are options in place for pupils to study different entry level qualifications and beyond, where appropriate. Paragraphs 2(2)(d) to 2(A)(3)  The curriculum has strands of personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education threaded throughout the topics that pupils will study. The school’s PSHE education reflects its ethos and pays particular regard to the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010. Pupils’ personal and social development is of the highest priority and there is a strong emphasis on developing pupils’ independence skills.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 The school intends to offer appropriate careers information and guidance to help pupils understand their place in society and the local community. The school’s policy intends to use the Gatsby benchmarks as guiding principles in the development of pupils’ understanding of careers and the society in which they live.  There is an appropriate sex and relationships policy and an age-appropriate curriculum in place for secondary pupils. These are available to parents and carers on request. Paragraphs 3 to 4  The school has a clear assessment system in place that is used well by teachers to inform pupils’ future learning. The school intends to use this system in its secondary provision to continue to chart the small steps of progress made by each pupil. The system is designed to ensure that there are high aspirations for pupils’ learning.  The school has rigorous systems in place for staff recruitment to ensure that all staff

p.1

Main inspection findings

are trained well to deliver the curriculum to a high standard. This includes for the secondary provision. Classrooms are well resourced and any equipment is precisely matched to pupils’ needs.  The proprietor has ensured that these independent school standards (the standards) are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school’s curriculum in designed to include the promotion of equalities and fundamental British values at every opportunity. There is a strong promotion of pupils’ spiritual, social, emotional and cultural (SMSC) development in the curriculum that the school intends to continue in its secondary provision. It has appropriate programmes in place to match this ambition.  Staff ensure that there are strong links to pupils’ SMSC in all lessons. For example, pupils learn about right and wrong and how to manage and adapt their own behaviour in different situations.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7 to 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has a suitable safeguarding policy in place that reflects the most up-to- date guidance from the Secretary of State. At present, the school’s website is under construction and so the proprietor has ensured that this information is available to parents on request.  Staff are vigilant and know pupils well. They receive regular training and updates on safeguarding matters. They have a clear understanding about how to raise any concerns, including about a member of staff.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The school has ensured that the standards are continually checked on for compliance. The systems to review these standards are in the process of being revised to be even more rigorous. As such, the school clearly demonstrates the capacity to ensure that these standards are consistently met, and would continue to be so should the material change be approved. For example, upon its completion, leaders are aware of the need to ensure that appropriate information is uploaded to the school’s website to match the requirements of the standards. There are checks in place to ensure that the proprietor is informed about this compliance.  At the heart of the school’s mission is a high level of care for pupils’ well-being. The proprietor has ensured that there is a considered way in which the school is expanding. For example, there are robust arrangements in place for the appointment

p.2

Main inspection findings

of staff to make sure that all staff buy into the school’s philosophy.  The proprietor has ensured that there are appropriate arrangements in place to fulfil the requirements of the Equality act 2010.  Trustees are well informed. They have a strong understanding of the school’s effectiveness and question well on aspects of the provision to ensure that the school continues to progress in its development.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

School status Independent special school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £70,000 to £103,000

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 19 to 21 November 2024

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 4 to 11 4 to 16 4 to 16

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 8 32 32

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 32 32

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 32 32

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 32 32

p.6

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 32 32

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 3 6

p.6

Information about this school

 The school is located at premises at Rainbow Hub, Salt Pit Lane, Mawdesley, Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 2QX. The proprietor also runs a separately registered nursery school and a therapeutic centre that is located on the same site as the school.  The school currently provides full-time education for 8 pupils, aged between 4 and 11 years. The school is registered to admit up to 32 pupils.  The school caters for pupils who have some form of physical disability arising out of neurological conditions or brain injury. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  Pupils are placed at the school by local authorities.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place from 19 to 21 November 2024.  The school does not use alternative provision.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to the proprietor’s request to make a material change to the school.  The proposed change involves a change in the school’s age range to extend the provision from 4 to 11 to cater for pupils up to the age of 16. There is no intended change to the school’s SEND offer under the proposed material change.  The school’s last standard inspection took place in November 2024, where the school also extended its capacity to 32 pupils. As such, this inspection was the second inspection that considered a material change to the school’s provision.  In evaluating whether the school would meet the relevant standards, the inspector undertook a review of curriculum information, visited lessons, considered a range of documentation and discussed the proposed changes with the leaders, including the school’s headteacher, the chief executive officer and the chair of trustees.

p.7

Inspection team

Steve Bentham, 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 .

p.7

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.

p.8

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 .

p.8

Inspection team

achieve 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.

p.8

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8