The Grange School

School material change inspection report

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The Grange School 18–21 Church Gate, Thatcham, Berkshire RG19 3PN

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 2A(1) to 2A(2), 3 to 3(j), 4  The school has an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum in place. The school has clearly defined the knowledge pupils will acquire at each stage, including key stage 4. The school has mapped out the schemes of learning for key stage 4. These schemes effectively build on the learning pupils gained in key stage 3 and give key stage 4 pupils the knowledge they need to access their accreditation pathways.  The school’s curriculum is broad and balanced. The key stage 4 curriculum builds on from the breadth of the curriculum in key stage 3. Pupils in key stage 4 will be able to study a range of GCSEs, including mathematics and English. This offer is personalised for pupils who have a particular interest in an area, such as psychology.  Teachers make effective checks on how well pupils understand what they have been

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Main inspection findings

taught. They use the school’s knowledge progression documents to find out if pupils have gaps in knowledge. These documents include knowledge intended for pupils in key stage 4. Information from these checks is used to make changes to lesson activities so pupils can build knowledge.  When pupils arrive, staff use mathematics and reading assessments to find out how secure pupils’ core foundational knowledge is. The school identifies pupils who need early reading help. A well-structured phonics programme, taught by expertly trained staff, is used to help pupils to learn to read. The school has adapted phonics resources to ensure suitability for pupils in key stages 3 and 4.  The school’s careers and relationships and sex education policies align with relevant guidance. There is a programme in place for the teaching of careers and relationships and sex education which spans from key stage 2 to key stage 4.

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Main inspection findings

 Staff are well-trained to understand the needs of pupils and meet them. Teachers have secure subject knowledge. They plan effective lessons in line with the school’s curriculum. The school has employed specialist secondary teachers who have the knowledge to teach the key stage 4 curriculum content.  All of the standards in part 1 are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school promotes fundamental British values and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through their global citizens curriculum. Pupils explore various aspects of diversity while learning about British institutions and public services. Through weekly discussions, pupils learn to consider and share their views, as well as listen to and respect the views of others.  Enrichment activities and wider opportunities are seamlessly integrated into the school curriculum. Weekly off-site activities enhance pupils’ learning experiences. Teachers use these activities to help pupils develop additional important skills, such as using public transport.  Key stage 4 pupils will participate in the school’s existing careers and enrichment programme. The school has outlined enrichment opportunities designed to equip key

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Main inspection findings

stage 4 pupils with essential life and social skills for future success. Work-based experiences are being planned to help key stage 4 pupils develop essential employability skills.  The standard in part 2 is likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) & (b), 11, 12, 14, and 16 (a) & (b)  There is a suitable safeguarding policy in place which reflects current statutory guidance. Safeguarding records indicate that the policy is being implemented effectively. Staff log concerns, which are rapidly and appropriately responded to by safeguarding leaders. This includes, where required, making referrals to external agencies.  Safeguarding records demonstrate that staff have a secure understanding of what constitutes a safeguarding concern, including low-level concerns about adults.  The school has implemented a well-structured personal, social, health and economics education curriculum which teaches pupils how to be safe. The school has mapped out the knowledge about personal, community and online safety that pupils in key stage 4 will be taught.  There is a health and safety, risk assessment and fire safety policy in place. The

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Main inspection findings

school has had an external fire risk assessment carried out and swiftly addressed minor recommendations from the contractor. Robust systems, including weekly checks on alarms, fire doors and emergency lighting, ensure ongoing compliance with fire safety regulations.  The school has an appropriate ratio of pupils to staff. Pupils’ needs are met, and they are well supervised through the school day by well-trained staff. The school has recruited two additional teachers and two additional senior leaders. The school will have sufficient staff to supervise and ensure the safety of all pupils, including the five additional pupils proposed. There is a robust training induction programme in place. All new staff will be well trained to meet the needs of pupils.  These standards in part 3 are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(6)  Robust pre-employment checks are conducted to ensure the suitability of recruited staff. The proprietor body ensures all required checks are completed before new staff commence employment.  The single central record complies with statutory guidance. It includes all required information on staff, including for those in leadership roles. The proprietor ensures that there are regular reviews of the single central record to verify that all required checks have been made.  The school does not use supply staff but is aware of the checks they would need to make if they did.  All of the standards in part 4 are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to (24)(1)(b), 24(2) to 29(1)(b)  The school provides suitable toilet, washing and drinking facilities. The quantity of these facilities will adequately meet the needs of the proposed pupil increase. This includes a shower being provided for pupils to use following physical education lessons.  There is appropriate lighting around the school. This includes external lighting in the car park and on the exterior of the building.  The school has suitable first aid provision. The medical room contains all required equipment, including locked facilities for the storage of medication.  There is adequate internal space in the school. Additional classroom spaces have been provided to support the learning needs of the proposed pupil increase. In addition, there are well-resourced and safe food technology and science rooms to support the specialist teaching that pupils in key stage 4 will receive.

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Main inspection findings

 There is enough outdoor space for all pupils, including the proposed increase, to use during social times. While the school uses the grounds for some physical education lessons, they also use local sports venues.  All of the standards in part 5 are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  School leaders and the proprietor have secure understanding of the independent school standards. They effectively apply this knowledge to ensure that independent school standards are consistently met.  The school and proprietor prioritise pupils’ best interests. They remain committed to a steady and effective school expansion, ensuring they continue to meet the needs of existing pupils.  There are clear systems of accountability and oversight within the proprietor body.  The standard in part 8 is likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor ensures that the school complies with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 by publishing a suitable accessibility plan. This plan is reviewed regularly.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Website www.phoenixschools.org.uk/grange

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School details

Email address rshaw@phoenixschools.org.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 26 to 28 November 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 14 7 to 16 7 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 34 40 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 34 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 34 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 34 40

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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 34 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 The Grange School caters for pupils with a diagnosis of autism. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school is part of Phoenix Schools (South) Ltd.  The school only operates from this site.  The school does not currently make use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE). It was commissioned to consider a material change to the school’s registration agreement with the DfE. The inspection focused on the independent school standards with regard to the quality of education provided, the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, the welfare, health and safety of pupils, the suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietor, premises and accommodation, provision of information regarding safeguarding, and the quality of leadership in and management of the school.  The proprietor has applied for two material changes. The first proposed change is to increase the number of pupils from 35 to 40. The second proposed change is to increase the age range from 7 to 14 to 7 to 16.  The is the first material change inspection since the school’s last independent school standard inspection, which took place in November 2024.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector checked the school’s arrangements for safeguarding as part of the inspection. This included a review of the school’s policy and recruitment procedures. They also considered whether these arrangements have been properly implemented.  The inspector met with the headteacher, regional education lead, chair of governors and the chair of the proprietor body. The inspector also met with other leads to talk about the school’s curriculum.  The inspector checked the suitability of the school’s premises and discussed this with leaders.  The inspector looked at a range of documents in relation to the material change. This included policy documents and paperwork relating to health and safety and fire safety regulations as well as reviewing the proposed key stage 4 curriculum.

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Inspection team

Nina Marabese, 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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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