Schools & FE · Independent school inspection
ALP Nuneaton
Summary
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- Inspection date verified
21 May 2025
- Inspectors verified
Corinne Biddell
- Postcode verified
CV11 4PN
- Name on report verified
ALP Nuneaton
- URN verified
148051
Deep dive
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Next steps
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- 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
- Age range of pupils 6 to 19 6 to 19 6 to 19 p.5
- Number of pupils on the school roll 48 70 70 p.5
- Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 48 70 p.5
- Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 48 70 p.6
- Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 48 70 p.6
- Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 48 70 p.6
- Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 23 26 p.6
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Teaching & assessment5
“There are suitable risk assessments in place including for off-site activities.” p.2
Anatomy of the report
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- Pages
- 8
- Words of findings
- 952
- shorter than usual (typical 1813)
- Reading level
- Fairly hard
- Flesch 53, typical 49
- Average sentence
- 13 words
- Next steps
- 8
- typical 8
- Hedged sentences
- 3%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
School material change inspection report
p.1
ALP Nuneaton Holman Way, Nuneaton CV11 4PN
p.1
Main inspection findings
Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b) Leaders ensure that there is a vigilant culture of safeguarding through regular staff training and the use of clear structured systems for recording and following up on concerns. Safeguarding is embedded into everyday practice. Staff are observant and responsive to subtle changes in pupils’ behaviour or well-being. They report concerns to senior staff without delay. Safeguarding arrangements, including the safeguarding policy, have regard to the most recent statutory guidance. Leaders who are responsible for safeguarding are knowledgeable. They take prompt action when staff or pupils raise any concerns. Where needed, the school works with other agencies to support pupils and their families. The school’s curriculum teaches pupils appropriate content on how to keep themselves safe. The independent school standards (the standards) in these paragraphs were met at
p.1
Main inspection findings
the previous inspection and are likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 11 The school has clear and comprehensive health and safety policies in place. These are implemented effectively. The school ensures that any actions from regular monitoring checks or external audits are addressed swiftly. The site is well maintained. This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 12 The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Regular checks are made on fire safety equipment and alarms. Fire exits are clearly marked, and regular fire drills take place. This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 14 The school deploys staff effectively during the school day. Robust and well- orchestrated arrangements for the arrival and departure of pupils ensure that they are
p.1
Main inspection findings
closely supervised from the moment they enter the premises each morning. The school operates a high adult-to-child staffing ratio. The staffing plan to accommodate the increase in pupil numbers is appropriate. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b) There are suitable risk assessments in place including for off-site activities. Risk assessments are suitably tailored to the specific special educational and/or disability (SEND) needs of pupils. Sensible mitigations are in place to help reduce these risks. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly to consider any new risks that may develop. This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved.
p.2
Main inspection findings
Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17, 18(1) to 18(3), 19(1) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 21 to 21(3)(b), 21(5). 21(6), 21(8) The school has put clear procedures in place for the safe recruitment of staff. Knowledgeable staff implement these effectively. The record of background checks on all staff is up to date and recorded accurately on the single central record (SCR). The SCR is monitored regularly. The school does not currently use supply staff. It understands the background checks that are needed if supply staff are required. These standards were met at the previous inspection and are likely to remain met if the material change is approved.
p.2
Main inspection findings
Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 22 to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b) The site has sufficient space to accommodate the material change if approved. There is a spacious hall and dining area. There are several outdoor spaces, including an area that leaders plan to develop into a natural outdoor learning space in the future. The recent addition of an outside pod and the repurposing of some larger spaces will increase the indoor space available for teaching additional pupils. The school is bright and well maintained. Acoustic conditions and lighting are appropriate. There are sufficient toilets and washing facilities for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Drinking water is labelled and available for pupils throughout the school day. There is a suitable medical room with a sink which is in close proximity to a toilet. The medical room contains a bed and a first aid equipment. Records of first aid and
p.2
Main inspection findings
administration of medication are up to date and well-maintained. Physical education takes place both off and on the school site and there are appropriate changing and showering facilities available. These standards were met at the previous inspection and are likely to remain met if the material change is approved.
p.3
Main inspection findings
Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1) (c) School leaders and the proprietor demonstrate the knowledge to meet the standards consistently. They make regular checks to ensure the standards remain met over time. Leaders are reflective and responsive to pupils’ SEND needs. The school puts in place a number of effective measures to actively promote the well-being of its pupils. Leaders understand the importance of managing an increase in pupil numbers carefully. They are committed to ensuring that this does not have a negative impact on the quality of education that current pupils receive.
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
Type of school Other independent special school
p.5
School details
School status Independent special school
p.5
School details
Annual fees (day pupils) £50,408 to £77,220
p.5
School details
Date of previous standard inspection 19 to 21 November 2024
p.5
recommendation
Age range of pupils 6 to 19 6 to 19 6 to 19
p.5
recommendation
Number of pupils on the school roll 48 70 70
p.5
School's current position School's proposal
Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 48 70
p.5
School's current position School's proposal
Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 48 70
p.6
School's current position School's proposal
Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 48 70
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 48 70
p.6
School's current position School's proposal
Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 23 26
p.6
School's current position School's proposal
Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable
p.6
Information about this school
The school’s previous standard inspection was on 19 to 21 November 2024. At this time, the school was evaluated as good. All standards were met. The school caters for pupils with SEND including communication and interaction and social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education health and care plan. The school does not make use of any alternative provision. The school is registered for up to 50 pupils. There are currently 48 pupils on roll. There are currently no sixth-form students on roll. Pupil places at the school are commissioned by a number of local authorities. The proprietor provides the governance of the school.
p.6
Information about this inspection
This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) in response to a request from the proprietor for a material change to be considered. The school is currently registered for 50 pupils. The proprietor has requested that the DfE increase the school’s capacity to 70 pupils. This is the first time that the proprietor has requested this change. The inspector met with the headteacher and senior leaders. She also met the managing director of the proprietor body and the chair of the proprietor body remotely. The inspector checked the school’s single central record, discussed safeguarding with leaders and looked at safeguarding records. The inspector toured the site with leaders. The inspector reviewed a range of documents relating to health and safety, risk assessments, fire safety and school development.
p.7
Inspection team
Corinne Biddell, 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 .
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Inspection team
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Inspection team
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Inspection team
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p.8
Inspection team
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Inspection team
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Inspection team
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