Blackwater Academy Sandwell

School pre-registration inspection report

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Blackwater Academy Sandwell Horseley Road, Tipton DY4 7NB

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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), 2A(1)(b) to 2A(2), 3 to 3(j), 4  The proprietor proposes to open a school that offers pupils a short-term education placement as part of alternative provision made by their school and local authority. Leaders intend that most pupils will be at the school between 12 and 18 weeks, with some pupils attending beyond 18 weeks.  The school understands that many pupils are likely to arrive with a history of interrupted education. Through the admissions and induction process, the proprietor intends to ensure that all staff have a comprehensive understanding of pupils new to the school. Through this, the proposed school intends to adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of each pupil.  The school’s proposed curriculum covers a broad range of subjects and topics. Leaders and the proprietor are ambitious for pupils in the school. They have thought

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Main inspection findings

carefully about what pupils will learn and why. The school proposes that pupils study English, mathematics, science, history, religious education, personal, social and health education (PSHE) and physical education (PE). In addition to this, the school intends for pupils to take part in creative projects that include learning in art and design and music.  Leaders have put in place systems to check what pupils know and can do. Leaders plan to adapt learning to meet the needs of the pupils. The school has systems that are likely to identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It proposes to make this information available to teachers to ensure that they understand how to meet the needs of these pupils effectively.  The school is currently considering which phonics scheme is the most appropriate for those pupils at the early stage of reading. Leaders plan to ensure that all staff will be

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Main inspection findings

trained in the chosen approach.  The school has developed a written policy for relationships and sex education and health education. The school intends to deliver this content as part of its PSHE curriculum. This curriculum additionally includes content such as fundamental British values, learning for life and careers education.  The school intends to put in place training for all staff. This includes training on teaching approaches, subject knowledge and specific training relevant to the pupils’ needs. Leaders intend to carry out systematic monitoring of the quality of education across the school.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The curriculum makes provision for promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Leaders have thought about the content of the school’s PSHE curriculum. The PSHE curriculum includes coverage of British values and protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010.  The school intends to enrich the PSHE curriculum through a range of wider opportunities, planned throughout the year.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has written a safeguarding and child protection policy that reflects the most recent statutory guidance. It details the arrangements for making local authority referrals specific to the school’s location. Leaders intend to make the policy available on the school’s website.  The proprietor is planning to use an electronic system for staff to record concerns about pupils’ welfare. This system allows leaders to analyse and respond to safeguarding concerns. Leaders plan to use this system to spot patterns and identify incidents that could put pupils at risk of harm.  Leaders have a secure understanding of contextual safeguarding risks. They plan to ensure that all staff will be well trained and alert to any signs that pupils may be at risk of harm or exploitation.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 9 to 9(c), 10  The school has a behaviour and an anti-bullying policy that details the school’s approach to managing behaviour incidents. These set out clear expectations for pupils’ conduct as well as outlining how the school will respond to possible incidents of poor behaviour. Leaders have detailed recording systems to record and analyse these incidents.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met. Paragraphs 11, 13, 14, 15  The school has produced a first-aid policy. The school has named staff who have been trained and hold appropriate first-aid qualifications. The school will store medication in a lockable cabinet at the main office. There are plans for appropriate first-aid resources to be easily accessible in different locations around the building.  The school has an electronic register to record and monitor pupils’ attendance. In addition, the school’s admissions register includes all the required details as set out in

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Main inspection findings

the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024.  Leaders intend for staff to supervise pupils closely throughout the school day. The proprietor proposes to gradually increase the number of staff as the number of pupils rises to ensure a high staff-to-pupil ratio.  The proprietor has carried out a range of checks to ensure that the building is safe, for example checks on electrics and water supplies.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met. Paragraphs 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Leaders acted swiftly to respond to issues raised in the fire risk assessment from February 2024. However, leaders have not had a recommended follow-up to check their actions since then. This means it is not clear if the building now complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  Leaders have a range of suitable risk assessments in place. They have ensured that most risks are understood and well considered. However, this is not consistent across

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Main inspection findings

all risks. For example, there is no risk assessment for the local sports centre where the school plans to take the pupils for PE. The risk assessment for the park, where some PE activities will be held, is not bespoke to the school and does not relate to the age range of pupils the school plans to admit. Therefore, it is not appropriate.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be unmet.

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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), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c) to 21(7)(b)  The proprietor ensures that recruitment processes are thorough and bespoke to the needs of the school. For example, interview questions reflect the potential needs the pupils in the school may have. Appropriate pre-employment checks are recorded on the school’s single central record.  Leaders do not intend to make use of supply staff at the school. However, they are knowledgeable about the procedures to follow should they wish to use supply staff in the future.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 26 to 29(1)(b)  The proprietor has commissioned and overseen a refurbishment of the proposed school building. The building has been adapted to provide offices, a medical room, a gym, a library, a shared communal space and several classrooms.  The proprietor has ensured that accommodation is available to cater for pupils’ medical needs. It is close to a toilet.  The school intends for PE to take place at a local sports centre. Showers and changing facilities will be available for pupils at this site. The school has one shower on site and this is located in the medical room.  The lighting and acoustics make a suitable learning environment for pupils. External lighting allows users to enter and exit the building safely. The furnishings, acoustics and heating are appropriate. Drinking-water is available and is appropriately labelled.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has separate toilets for pupils. These are lockable from the inside and are for sole use. Hot water does not post a scalding risk.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met. Paragraph 25  Generally, the building is in a good state of repair. Leaders have worked well to make the building fit for purpose. However, some areas of the building are not as clean as they could be. Leaders plan to hire cleaners when pupils start. However, they have not yet put this in place.  The school has communal outdoor space for pupils to socialise at breaktimes. The school intends for pupils to be well supervised. However, the outdoor area has not been well maintained. For example, in the proposed playground, there is a potentially dangerous metal fence post that could pose a risk. Some areas are overgrown with nettles. These do not provide a suitable outdoor play area for pupils in their current

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Main inspection findings

state.  The standard in this paragraph is likely to be unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(e), 32(1)(f) to 32(b)(i), 32(2)(c) to 32(3)(f)  The school has developed a range of policies such as its complaints and admissions policies. 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 launched.  Leaders plan to share written reports containing information about pupils’ progress with parents and carers, the local authority and the pupils’ placing schools. They plan to provide formal reports half termly.  The school understands what needs to be provided to the local authority with respect to income and expenditure for pupils funded with an education, health and care plan.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  The complaints policy is in writing, and leaders intend to publish it on the website. The proprietor has ensured that the policy is clear and contains information about how to raise a complaint, as well as the timescales associated with each stage of the complaints process.  Leaders have put in place a system for recording and analysing complaints and concerns.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  The proprietor and school leaders have a great deal of experience working in schools. They know the specific needs of the pupils who are likely to attend the school. They are passionate and care deeply about the pupils and the local community. The proprietor has set a clear vision and aims for the school, and these are shared by the staff.  Leaders know the standards. However, they have not ensured that these are securely and consistently met. Consequently, while leaders have taken significant actions to improve the facilities and develop a curriculum, they have not ensured that all standards are met.  There is a lack of clarity about the number of pupils that the proposed school will admit. On the initial application form, the proprietor applied to open a school for 70 pupils. In discussion with leaders, they said that it would likely be for 60 pupils.

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Main inspection findings

However, after touring the school, there is currently space to accommodate up to 50 pupils. The proprietor does not have clarity about the precise number of pupils that the school could accommodate.  The standard in this paragraph is likely to be unmet. Paragraph 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that pupils’ well-being, safety and personal development is prioritised. safeguarding pupils is at the heart of the proposed school’s work. It knows the contextual risks in the local area and the potential vulnerabilities of the pupils. Leaders understand their safeguarding responsibilities and systems to keep pupils safe are in place.  The standard in this paragraph is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school has a written accessibility plan in place. It is appropriate and demonstrates 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

Annual fees (day pupils) £18,950 to £55,000

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Proposed school details

Email address lucy.jelf@blackwateracademysandwell.co.uk

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll 0 60 50

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  On the initial application form, the proprietor applied to open a school for 70 pupils. In discussion with leaders, they said that it would likely be for 60 pupils. However, after touring the school, the lead inspector would recommend 50 pupils due to the size of the school, the number of classrooms and the possible needs of the pupils at the school.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable 5

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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 Not applicable 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 5 7

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school intends to offer provision for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.  The proposed school will have a sole proprietor.  The proprietor intends to increase the number of pupils on roll gradually.  The proposed school does not plan to use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first pre-registration inspection of the proposed school. It was commissioned by the Department for Education to determine whether the proposed school is likely to meet the standards if it is given permission to open.  The inspector met with the proprietor, the headteacher and the health and safety lead.  The inspector considered a range of documents provided by the proprietor, including safeguarding information, statutory policies and the proposed curriculum.  The inspector visited all parts of the proposed school’s premises, including the outside space.

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Inspection team

Eve Morris, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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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- – 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-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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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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