New Focus Education

School material change inspection report

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New Focus Education Cottam Business Centre, Cottam Lane, Preston, Lancashire PR2 1AF

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 1 to 2(2)(b)  The school has a clear curriculum policy for the proposed extension to the school’s age range. This covers pupils aged six to 16 years. This is supported by relevant curriculum plans in all areas of learning. The schemes of work are matched to a broad range of aptitudes and abilities of pupils. All schemes of work are intended to be highly adapted to pupils’ needs. There are options in place for pupils to study different entry level qualifications and beyond, where appropriate. Paragraphs 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h) to 2(A)(3)  The curriculum includes distinct lessons to teach personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. 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

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Main inspection findings

emphasis on developing pupils’ independence skills.  The school intends to offer appropriate careers information and guidance to help older 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 preparation for adulthood.  There is an appropriate sex and relationships policy and an age-appropriate curriculum in place for the secondary pupils the school intends to cater for. These are available to parents and carers on request. Paragraphs 3, 3(a) to 3(j), 4  The school has a clear assessment policy. The school intends to use assessments in its secondary provision to review the progress made by each pupil as well as to review pupils’ starting points and inform the delivery of the curriculum. The school also intends to use these checks to set high aspirations for pupils’ learning.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has plans in place to ensure that all staff are trained well to deliver the secondary curriculum to a high standard. This includes sharing good practice with other secondary provisions. The school has plans to equip non-specialist teachers with the skills and knowledge to deliver the key stage 3 and 4 curriculums effectively.  The school has secured sufficient teaching resources and has invested in published curriculum resources and teaching materials. The school intends to invest in further resources to aid delivery such as exercise books and reading books which are suitable for older pupils.  The proprietor has ensured that these independent school standards (the standards) are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school’s curriculum is designed to include the promotion of equalities and British values at every opportunity. There is a strong focus on promoting pupils’ spiritual, social, emotional and cultural (SMSC) development in the curriculum. The school intends to continue this model in its secondary provision. It has appropriate programmes in place to match this ambition.  The proposed curriculum also shows how pupils will learn about different faiths, cultures and religions. For instance, the school has a calendar of events which pupils will be encouraged to celebrate and mark.  The school places a strong emphasis on building local and wider community links. This is to develop pupils’ wider interests, for instance, through enterprise initiatives, volunteering and botanical work.  The school has systems in place to support pupils to engage with their learning and to

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Main inspection findings

prepare for adulthood. For instance, the school has designed dedicated curriculum time for pupils to take part in outdoor education and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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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 that reflects the most up-to-date guidance from the Secretary of State. At the time of the inspection, the school’s website was under construction. However, leaders intend to make all parents aware of the school’s contact details and give them access to its policies. The school has ensured that any safeguarding information is available to parents on request.  The current staff have undertaken appropriate training on safeguarding matters. They have a clear understanding about how to raise any concerns, including about a member of staff. The school has appropriate plans in place to offer further training as the number of staff grows and new staff are recruited.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material

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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 school has ensured that the standards are continually checked to ensure compliance. The systems to review these standards, especially for Part 1, 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.  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 its age range. For example, there are robust arrangements in place for the appointment of staff to make sure that all staff are equipped to meet the needs of a

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Main inspection findings

wider age range of pupils. Furthermore, the school has strong transition plans for when pupils join the school to ensure that the school knows the needs of pupils well.  The proprietor has ensured that there are appropriate arrangements in place to fulfil the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. During the inspection, the proprietor further reviewed the accessibility of the medical room and ensured that sufficient consideration was taken to the location of this room and accessibility for pupils with disabilities.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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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.

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Email address katie.stephens@newfocuseducation.co.uk

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 11 6 to 16 6 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 0 30 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 0 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 30

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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 0 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 5

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Information about this school

 This school operates from a two-storey premises located at Cottam Business Centre, Cottam Lane, Preston, Lancashire PR2 1AF. The building has been repurposed and refurbished. It has sufficient rooms and space to cater for pupils aged six to 16 years.  There were no pupils on roll at the time of this inspection. However, the school intends to provide full-time education for up to 30 mixed-gender pupils, aged between six and 16 years.  The school caters for pupils who struggle to cope with mainstream education by providing them with a small, nurturing learning environment. It caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and sensory needs. Some pupils may have an education, health and care plan. Pupils will be placed at the school by local authorities.  The headteacher took up their post in March 2025.  The school does not use or intend to use alternative provision.

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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 six to 11 years to cater for pupils up to the age of 16. There is no intended change to the school’s special educational needs and/or disabilities offer under the proposed material change.  The school’s last inspection was a pre-registration inspection which took place in November 2024.  This was the school’s first material change inspection.  In evaluating whether the school would meet the relevant standards, the inspector undertook a review of curriculum information, considered a range of documentation and discussed the proposed changes to staffing.

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Inspection team

Amina Modan, 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

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 .

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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.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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

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