Harte's Academy

School pre-registration inspection report

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Harte's Academy 42 Heron Street, Hull HU3 3PF

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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) to 2A(1), 2A(1)(b) to 2A(2), 3 to 3(j) and 4  The school’s proposed curriculum covers a broad range of subjects and topics. Leaders have thought carefully about what pupils will learn and in what order. The school proposes for pupils to study English, mathematics, personal, social and health education (PSHE) and physical education. In addition to this, the school plans that pupils will study projects that include learning in the humanities and in science. Beyond this, the school intends to offer a range of vocational courses for pupils, making use of specialist areas such as its workshop and salon.  The school has developed a written policy for relationships and sex education (RSE) lessons. This includes an explanation of parents and carers’ rights to withdraw their child from all, or part of, the sex education provided as part of RSE lessons. The

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Main inspection findings

school intends to deliver this content as part of its detailed, age-appropriate PSHE curriculum. This curriculum additionally includes content such as the fundamental British values.  The school has considered how it will support pupils to make informed decisions about their next steps in education, employment and training. The school has developed a planned careers education programme within its PSHE curriculum. In addition, the school proposes to use an external careers adviser to provide pupils with independent advice and guidance.  The school proposes to recruit additional teachers to enable it to deliver its expanded curriculum. It plans to provide structured training to teachers, supporting them to deliver the curriculum effectively and in line with school policies.  The school has established systems that are likely to enable it to identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It proposes to make this

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Main inspection findings

information available to teachers to ensure that they understand how to meet the needs of these pupils effectively.  The school will make regular checks on pupils’ knowledge of the curriculum. It will use this to inform regular progress reports to pupils’ parents and carers, sharing with them how well pupils are achieving as well as other areas of pupils’ development.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i) to 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i) to 5(d)(iii)  Leaders have thought about the content of the school’s PSHE curriculum. This will ensure that pupils develop an awareness of both local and world issues. Leaders have planned where pupils will learn about the fundamental British values, such as the rule of law and mutual respect. The curriculum teaches pupils to show respect for others,

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Main inspection findings

including through consideration of the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010.  The school recognises its role in ensuring that pupils receive a balanced presentation of views. Leaders understand that they have a responsibility to prevent the promotion of partisan political views. The school has considered the systems that it will need to establish to achieve this.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  The school has developed a suitable safeguarding policy. This has regard to appropriate statutory guidance. Leaders intend to make this available on the new website that is being developed for the school. There are suitable systems for reporting and recording concerns about a pupil’s welfare.  The proposed headteacher has appropriate training to fulfil the role of designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The school intends to appoint a deputy DSL to support this

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Main inspection findings

role as the number of pupils on roll increases. Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 10  The school has developed appropriate policies to manage pupils’ behaviour. This sets out clear expectations for pupil conduct as well as outlines how the school will respond to instances of poor behaviour. Leaders have suitable systems to record and review these incidents.  The school has an anti-bullying policy in place. Leaders have made clear the school’s definition of bullying and how this will be challenged. There is provision to support both the victim and those responsible, mitigating the risk of such behaviours being repeated. Paragraphs 11, 12 and 13  The school’s health and safety policy is planned to be published on the school’s website. Leaders have implemented systems to monitor the safety and maintenance of the building. The school uses an external company to check the suitability of the school’s fire equipment. The school’s fire marshal is also well qualified for the role.

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Main inspection findings

The proprietor is likely to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  There are arrangements to support the administering of first aid. The school has suitable first aid supplies positioned around the site in first aid boxes. These are checked regularly as part of the maintenance schedule. Paragraphs 14, 15, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The school has a written risk assessment policy in place. Inspectors also reviewed examples of individual risk assessments for particular subjects and areas of the school. These are suitable, identifying and mitigating individual risks to pupils.  The school intends to purchase a new management information system to enable it to record its attendance and admissions registers accurately. Leaders also plan to use this system to analyse patterns in pupils’ attendance in order to support them to make improvements.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b) and 21(5) to 21(7)(b)  The school’s safeguarding and recruitment policies outline its approach to recruiting new members of staff. This sets out the checks that leaders intend to complete on possible employees. These checks include identity checks, the right to work in the United Kingdom and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.  At the time of the inspection, leaders had not established a suitable single central record to record pre-employment checks on staff at either the proposed school or the current staff employed at the unregistered alternative provision that currently runs on the site. Leaders were not able to resolve this fully during the inspection. They intend to make use of the school’s proposed management information system to accurately

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Main inspection findings

record the pre-employment checks that it completes.  During the inspection, the school was able to evidence many of the checks that it had completed on prospective employees, including enhanced DBS checks. However, the school has not completed, or made provision to complete, required checks under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. These ensure that leaders, including members of the proprietor board, are suitable to manage a school. Leaders took steps to rectify this during the inspection. The school has also not secured appropriate references for some planned employees.  The school does not intend to use supply staff to cover staff absence. Leaders understand the checks that they need to be made should they use supply staff.  The standards in this part are not likely to be met Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The school premises is maintained to a high standard. Leaders have recently refurbished large sections of the proposed school site. This provides a clean, safe and inviting environment for pupils to learn.  The school has appropriate lighting in all areas of the school, both internal and external.  The school has provided suitable toilet and washing facilities, including showering facilities for boys and girls. There are accessible toilet facilities on each floor. Leaders have provided separate toilets for staff and visitors. Toilet and washing facilities have a supply of hot and cold water. The hot water does not pose a scalding risk to pupils.  The school has equipped a room as a medical space for the treatment of sick or injured pupils. This room has suitable first aid supplies and the school has installed a temporary sink for washing. The room is close to toilet facilities.  The school has a number of specialist areas, such as the industry standard salon

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Main inspection findings

classroom and the workshop area for construction lessons. These are well equipped. Leaders have considered how they will maintain these areas and the rest of the school site to ensure the safety of pupils.  The school has large indoor spaces that can be utilised for physical education. In addition, there is a small outside courtyard area that the school will use for some physical education lessons. This space will also be used for pupils’ social times. To ensure that there is sufficient space for the proposed number of pupils, the school intends to operate breaks and lunchtimes on a staggered basis. This will limit the number of pupils who need to access this space at a single time.  Pupils can access drinking water, usually in jugs or bottles. The school intends to label taps to indicate where this can be accessed.  The standards for this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(2)(b), 32(b)(ii), 32(2)(c), 32(2)(d), 32(3) to 32(4)(c)  There is currently a website for the unregistered alternative provision that operates from this site. The school does not have its own website. Leaders are in the process of developing this.  The school has considered how it will meet this part of the standards. It has developed a range of policies, such as its complaints and admissions policies in order to achieve this. These policies are currently made available to parents on request. The school intends for these to be made available on its website once this is operational.  The school also plans to include additional information required by the standards, such as the contact details of the proprietor and the previous year’s academic performance on the school’s website.  Leaders understand their obligations to account for how the school has used funding for pupils, including those who have an educational health and care plan.

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Main inspection findings

 The standards for this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  The school has developed an appropriate complaints policy. This is in writing and available on request from the school to the parents of pupils.  The policy clearly outlines the time scales for responding to a complaint, allowing for these to be raised initially on an informal basis. If a parent is not satisfied with the response to a complaint, a hearing will be arranged with an independent panel. Appropriate written records of the complaint and any findings will be kept confidentially.  The standards for this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  Leaders have a clear vision for the education that they want the school to offer pupils. They intend for the proposed school to provide effective education and greater

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Main inspection findings

exposure to the workplace, supporting pupils to be well to prepared for their next steps in education, employment and training.  Leaders have a range of professional experience to support them in running an independent school. They demonstrate a commitment to realising this ambition. The headteacher and proprietor board are aligned in their aims for the school.  Leaders have a knowledge of the independent school standards. However, they have not established a framework to monitor how securely and consistently these are met. Consequently, while leaders have taken significant actions to improve the facilities and proposed curriculum, they have not identified omissions in the school’s recruitment processes and the pre-employment checks that it completes.  Leaders are in the process of establishing a governing board to hold the school to account. The school has identified a chair for this board who has experience of

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Main inspection findings

working in education in a number of leadership roles.  Leaders understand the importance of ensuring that the school meets the independent school standards consistently. They began addressing standards that are likely to be unmet during the inspection and are committed to resolving this quickly.  The standards in this part are not likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school has a written accessibility policy and action plan in place. The accessibility policy and action plan demonstrate effectively how the proposed school will meet its statutory responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 ('the independent school standards') and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school's likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Email address sebastianglazer@hotmail.com

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age 10 Number of pupils of compulsory school age who have an education, health and care plan, or who are looked after by a local authority Total hours operating as a school per week 20

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 15

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 14 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll 10 50 50

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School's current position School's proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full to time pupils of compulsory school age 0 40

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 5 40

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 1 10

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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 10

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full to time equivalent teaching staff 0 10

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of part to time teaching staff 4 4

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 1 8

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Information about this proposed school

 Harte’s Academy is located at 42 Heron Street, Hull HU3 3PF.  The school proposes to support pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Some of these pupils will have an educational, health and care (EHC) plan.  The school will have a mixture of pupils who are single registered at this school and those who are dual registered with a home school and attend on a temporary basis.  The school does not have a religious character.  Leaders do not currently intent to use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This pre-registration inspection was commissioned by the DfE. The purpose of the inspection was to determine if the school is likely to meet the independent school standards prior to opening as a registered school. It was the school’s first pre- registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  At the time of the inspection, leaders were operating an unregistered alternative provision on the site of the school. There are 10 pupils who attend this setting, all on a part-time basis. One of these pupils has an EHC plan.  Inspectors met with the director of the proprietor body and the headteacher. An inspector spoke with the chair of the board of governors by telephone.  The inspector reviewed documents and policies associated with the independent school standards. The inspector toured the premises, accompanied by the director of the proprietor body.

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Inspection team

Thomas Wraith, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if to – 18(2)(b) no such person carries out work, or intends to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act, or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction;  20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual ("MB"), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, if to – 20(6)(a) MB to – 20(6)(a)(ii) does not carry out work, or intend to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction;  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub to paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub to paragraph is to – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether to – 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction;

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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 to – 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; and guidance 'Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints to about to 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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