Hallamshire Academy

School pre-registration inspection report

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Hallamshire Academy Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PD

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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)(g) to 2(2)(i)  The school has planned a broad curriculum which covers the age ranges of intended pupils. The school has planned a curriculum for the youngest pupils that may not be ready to access learning at their chronological age. For example, there is a planned phonics programmes from the approved Department for Education list and the school places a strong emphasis on reading, recognising that this is an important foundation for prospective pupils. The breadth of the planned curriculum ensures that pupils will study a broad range of subjects and is broken down into manageable chunks that build logically. The school plans to deliver a range of qualifications for pupils in key stage 4. The school intends to cater for post-16 pupils who are still working to complete key stage 4 qualifications.  The school has plans to deliver personal, social and health education and has planned

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Main inspection findings

a programme of activities related to careers. These plans include content designed to promote diversity, tolerance and respect. The plans cover appropriately the different age ranges of pupils at the school. For example, the plans show that the school intends to cover aspects related to different faiths and religions and has a strong focus on being safe and building respectful relationships. Appropriate careers education is planned and the proprietor intends to offer pupils opportunities for work experience. A careers adviser is intended to work with pupils to ensure that they receive appropriate advice.  The curriculum planning is designed to meet the special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) of pupils at the school. The induction programme for pupils includes checks on pupils’ reading and mathematical knowledge to ensure that pupils access the curriculum at suitable starting points. The school intends to operate with

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Main inspection findings

small classes to support teachers being able to adapt the curriculum according to the education, health and care plans (EHC plan) of the pupils. Paragraphs 2(A)(1) to 2(A)(1)(b), 2(A)(1)(d) to 2(A)(2)  The school’s planned approach to relationships and sex education meets statutory guidance. Appropriate plans are in place for pupils of different ages at the school. The school has plans to consult with parents and carers about the contents of the relationships and sex education programme. Paragraphs 3 to 4  The school’s assessment policies support the effective implementation of the curriculum. The policies take account of the needs of pupils and there are plans to ensure regular reviews of EHC plans. The admission and curriculum policies outline how progress will be monitored so that the proprietor can adjust plans to meet the needs of pupils.  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 school’s ethos is designed around the support for pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. The desire to foster an inclusive environment and develop pupils’ social skills is central to the school’s approach. The proprietor plans to use time in the school day to design clubs which are appropriate to the needs of pupils. The school intends to offer trips linked to curriculum areas to help ensure that pupils develop cultural capital.  The school plans to ensure that pupils develop knowledge of British institutions, for example through their own parliament and voting assemblies. The approach here ensures that pupils will access balanced and non-partisan views.  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 to 7(b)  The proprietor has established the foundations for suitable safeguarding practices at the school. The school’s proposed safeguarding lead has completed the relevant training. The school is part of a large multi-academy trust and there is considerable organisational experience and support to ensure the development of a strong safeguarding culture. Plans are in place to ensure that staff receive safeguarding training specific to the needs of pupils prior to the school opening.  The proprietor works with external agencies and partners already as part of their work in operating other schools in the trust. Pupils will be taught to keep themselves safe, including online. The school is aware of how to ensure that concerns relating to child protection are shared with relevant agencies.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraphs 9 to 10

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Main inspection findings

 Policies around behaviour and anti-bullying are in place. These are specific to the needs of the pupils that will attend the school. The designed approach shows that the proprietor has considered adjustments that may be necessary to ensure that the policy is successfully implemented.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraphs 11 to 13  The school has a health and safety policy that complies with relevant laws. The first- aid policy outlines how first aid will be administered and allows for sufficient staff to be trained in the delivery of first aid. The school has completed fire safety risk assessments and had these plans approved by competent assessors. There are plans in place to evacuate the building safely. Other certification relating to the safety and planned checks on the building are in place.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 14  The school plans to employ seven teachers and 14 teaching assistants to meet the

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Main inspection findings

needs of the 56 pupils that will attend. There are also plans to employ a learning mentor and a member of staff for administration. This number is sufficient to deliver the curriculum as planned. However, at the time of the inspection, there were only two teachers and a headteacher appointed. This is not sufficient to ensure that the number of pupils who will be registered at the school are well supervised. The proprietor has plans to employ more staff prior to the school opening in September. However, there has been little consideration of contingency planning to ensure that the school is sufficiently staffed should these plans not come to fruition. For example, the school intends that the learning mentor will be a deputy designated safeguarding lead. The proprietor has not properly considered how they will fill this role should they fail to employ a suitable candidate. This could potentially leave the school with only

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Main inspection findings

one member of staff with appropriate safeguarding leadership training. In addition, there has been too little thought to leadership of subjects and how this will be managed so that staff are able to receive appropriate training in this area. While there is considerable capacity in the trust to provide staffing for the school, the plans around this are vague and do not have specific actions to cover various contingencies. The policy around actions when pupils abscond relies on staff having specific roles. The ways in which these roles will be filled with the staff currently employed is not clear.  It is likely that this standard will be unmet. Paragraph 15  The school has plans to establish an appropriate admissions register and electronic attendance register in line with the relevant guidance.  It is likely that this standard will be met. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)  The school has an appropriate risk assessment policy. However, the associated risk

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Main inspection findings

assessments do not give assurance that the proprietor has fully considered the risks posed to pupils and how these will be mitigated. For example, there is a caretaker living on the school’s site. No risk assessment related to how the school will manage the caretaker’s visitors was presented during the inspection. Another risk assessment relates to a low wall with a drop on one side. The risk assessment for this relied on a temporary fence which was being built on the day of the inspection and which was only partially completed. The policy around absconding is a general trust policy and does not take account of the specific risks around the large, open school site. There was no specific risk assessment around pupils absconding from this school. The conversations around risk assessment during the inspection did not suggest a comprehensive overview of the risks and a systematic approach to ensuring that all

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Main inspection findings

risks were minimised and identified.  It is likely that this standard will be unmet.

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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), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)  The proprietor is in the process of completing relevant checks on those staff appointed to work at the school. There is evidence of a systematic approach to these checks. Staff will not start work at the school until these checks are completed. The school may use supply staff and understands its role in ensuring that any employment agencies provide evidence of the necessary pre-employment checks. The school has plans in place for relevant systems to ensure they are assured about the identities of any supply staff that work at the school.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Paragraphs 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(6)  All relevant pre-employment checks on members of the proprietor body have been made in accordance with the relevant guidance. These are recorded on the school’

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Main inspection findings

single central record.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Paragraphs 21(1) to 21(3)(b)  The proprietor maintains a single central record of all pre-employment checks on staff. These checks are appropriately dated. The school was also able to present evidence of checks in progress on staff that have been appointed. Support from the trust’s central teams ensures that there is appropriate oversight of the single central record.  It is likely that these standards will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(c)  The school intends to deliver a physical education curriculum. Suitable shower facilities are provided for the use of pupils. However, for those pupils who will be aged 11 years or over, too little thought has been given to appropriate changing accommodation. During the inspection, several different locations were put forward for potential use as changing facilities. This did not give assurance that the proprietor had a fully considered plan to provide these facilities. The first option was two rooms initially identified as a post-16 teaching space. There was no clear plan for how the dual use of the space would be managed. The space also lacked privacy, having doors with large glass windows which had no covering. A second space was considered which had more privacy but which still did not allow for the windows to be fully

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Main inspection findings

covered. In addition, the second space was only a single classroom. It is therefore unclear how boys and girls could get changed at the same time if this was what the curriculum demanded.  It is likely that these standards will be unmet. Paragraphs 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b)  The proprietor has ensured that there are suitable toilet and washing facilities for the sole use of pupils. These provide for separate facilities for pupils aged eight and over.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25 to 28(2)(b)  The proprietor has evidence of checks relating to various aspects of health and safety, including, for example, around gas boilers and fire safety. The premises have been finished to a high standard and there is ample classroom space to deliver the curriculum as planned. The environment is pleasant and well maintained. While the initial suggestions for medical rooms were not appropriate, the proprietor was able to

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Main inspection findings

adjust planning for this during the inspection so that the space for attending to the medical needs of pupils was suitable. The size of the building is sufficient for the number of pupils proposed by the school.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The school has extensive grounds which are well maintained and which provide a pleasant space for pupils. While there is no equipment in these areas as yet, there is space for playing games and for delivering the physical education curriculum. While there is an unfinished temporary fence, this in itself would not be an issue around the suitability of the space. However, as noted above, the risk assessments around this fence and the low wall have not been appropriately considered. The grounds also have many spaces where pupils could potentially hide or where staff may lose sight of them due to the large and open nature of the site. Again, the risk assessment

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Main inspection findings

associated with this and the fact that this has not been properly considered is the issue. The site itself is not inherently unsafe for pupils.  It is likely that these standards will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(ii), 32(2)(d) to 32(3)(g)  The school intends to publish relevant information on a website which is currently under construction. However, leaders also have the required information in policies and documents which could easily be made available to parents and others as necessary. The school’s policies around behaviour, safeguarding, provision for SEND and contact details are all complete. There is a school prospectus which also provides useful and necessary information for parents.  The school can draw upon expertise in the trust to ensure relevant financial information is provided about income and expenditure for pupils with EHC plans. There are also plans in place to contribute to annual reviews of EHC plans.  Reports will be shared with parents three times a year for each subject that pupils study. There will also be information about progress towards target grades.

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Main inspection findings

 It is likely that these standards will be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  The school has a written complaints policy and procedure. This provides relevant information, including about timescales and complainants’ rights. The proprietor is aware of the need to ensure that the number of complaints received is recorded.  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)(c)  The board of trustees for Nexus Multi-Academy Trust will act as the proprietor body for the school. There is considerable experience in this trust of running schools which cater for SEMH needs. The proprietor has clear plans and systems around academic performance, attendance, behaviour and safeguarding to ensure that there is appropriate support, challenge and oversight in these areas.  The proprietor has not given appropriate thought to oversight of the standards. For example, there is little evidence that specific training around the standards has taken place. This means that the proprietor body and the executive team charged with preparing the school for opening do not have the experience or knowledge needed to ensure that the school can meet the standards consistently. For example, the proprietor was unable to outline strategic planning and support for staffing the school

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Main inspection findings

in September should they be unable to appoint to the vacant positions. The plans presented during the inspection were too vague and lacking in specificity.  During the inspection, there were several modifications made to ensure that standards could be met. These related to the labelling of drinking-water facilities and suitable accommodation for medical treatment of pupils. While appropriate changes were made to ensure these standards were met, it did not give assurance around the organisational experience to be able to ensure that the standards are consistently met.  There is also a failure to properly consider risks associated with the school and how these would be mitigated. This could impact negatively on the well-being of pupils at the school. Inspectors were unable to gain assurance that the well-being of pupils is actively promoted through the appropriate consideration of risk.  It is likely that these standards will be unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an accessibility plan in place. The plan outlines how the school will ensure that the site is accessible for pupils and shows consideration of curriculum adaptations as well as those that might be made to the physical environment.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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Proposed school details

School category Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Headteacher Sacha Schofield (Acting Headteacher)

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 7 to 19 7 to 19 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 56 56

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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 56

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 56

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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 56

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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 56

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 7

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 15

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is located in Sheffield. It proposes to operate from premises at Eccleshall Road South, Sheffield, S11 9PD.  The proprietor body of the school will be the board of trustees for Nexus Multi- Academy Trust. This school will be the first independent school proposed by the trust.  The trust has 16 other special schools in the maintained sector.  The school proposes to cater for pupils with SEMH needs. It will cater for pupils whose primary needs are SEMH but will also have other needs, including autism.

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Information about this inspection

 This pre-registration inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education. The purpose of the inspection was to determine if a school is likely to meet the standards prior to opening as a registered school. This was the first pre-registration inspection for the proposed school.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  Inspectors discussed the school’s proposed curriculum and looked at curriculum plans and schemes of work.  The inspectors met with members of the proprietary board, the acting headteacher and the assistant chief executive officer of the Nexus Multi-Academy Trust. Inspectors also met with leaders responsible for the school site.  The inspectors reviewed policies and documents associated with the standards. An inspector toured the premises accompanied by several trust staff. Documents and policies relating to the school’s safeguarding procedures were reviewed.

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Inspection team

Matthew Vellensworth, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 14 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff.  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

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.

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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 – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 14 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff.  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

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.

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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 – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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