SENDSCOPE

School material change inspection report

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SENDSCOPE The Pavillion, St Francis Xavier’s College, Woolton Hill Road, Liverpool, Merseyside L25 6EG

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(c)  The school has a clear curriculum policy for the proposed extended age range from 11 to 15 years. There are clear curriculum maps, which indicate that all pupils will gain experience in linguistic, technological, human, social, aesthetic and creative subjects. The curriculum plans identify the overarching themes and topics that the school intends pupils to learn.  The school has recruited subject specialists to begin developing the schemes of work for the proposed Year 10 pupils. For some subjects, the schemes of work consider the knowledge and skills that the school intends to teach these pupils. The school has plans to personalise the curriculum. For instance, it considers pupils’ needs to determine which courses and qualifications to provide. This is to ensure that pupils have suitable options that help them to succeed in their next stage of learning or

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Main inspection findings

employment. Despite this, for some subjects, the schemes of work for Year 10 and teaching resources are only available for the first term. In part, this is because the school is still in the early stages of developing the schemes of work with newly appointed subject specialist teachers. As a result, the schemes of work in some subjects, do not reflect the entire Year 10 age range. Paragraphs 2(2)(d) to 2(A)(3)  The school intends to teach fundamental British values through timetabled personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education lessons. It has strengthened its curriculum design to ensure that pupils have sufficient opportunities to learn about different faiths and cultures.  There is a suitable policy in place for relationships and sex education (RSE). This includes an age-appropriate curriculum for key stage 4 pupils. The school consults with parents and carers about the policy and the RSE curriculum.

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Main inspection findings

 The school intends to extend the careers information and guidance offer that it has in place for current pupils to include pupils in Year 10. For example, the school has bought into services from an impartial career’s advisor to provide one-to-one guidance to Year 10 pupils. The school’s policy intends to use the Gatsby benchmarks as guiding principles in the development of pupils’ understanding of careers and the society in which they live. Paragraph 3  The school currently has four staff on roll but intends to expand this to seven. It has appointed a new principal and additional staff to meet the demands of the expanded age range and capacity. The school has appointed staff with the necessary teaching skills and experience to deliver the key stage 4 curriculum. It is likely to meet the needs of the pupils that the school intends to admit.  The classrooms are well resourced and the school has invested in additional online

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Main inspection findings

tools and resources to meet the additional needs of pupils. However, the school has not completed the development of its resources to deliver the full curriculum for Year 10. As a result, there are insufficient resources to ensure that pupils in Year 10 gain a secure body of knowledge to help them progress to their next steps. Paragraph 4  The proprietor has put in place a suitable assessment policy. This is used carefully by staff to inform their teaching. The school intends to use similar systems to check key stage 4 pupils’ learning too. There are sufficient assurances that the school is equipped to monitor and address pupils’ strengths and areas for development.  Some of the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are unlikely 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 has an appropriate policy for promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. The current policies and schemes of work help pupils to understand the importance of mutual respect and tolerance. For instance, pupils take part in charitable work and engage with a broad range of organisations. The school intends to extend this offer to pupils in key stage 4.  The school designs appropriate learning opportunities to enable pupils to understand and respect the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010.  The school has embedded SMSC across most areas of the curriculum. For example, pupils learn about key topics and contemporary issues through carefully selected books as part of the school’s reading programme.  The standards in this part 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 joint principals (who are also the chairs of the proprietor body) and the chair of governors have completed safer recruitment training. The school has appointed a new principal, who will also be a designated safeguarding lead. The school has planned for the new leader and additional staff to be suitably trained for their roles.  The school has a suitable safeguarding policy in place. It meets all current statutory requirements. Paragraphs 11 to 12  The school has ensured that appropriate policies have been prepared for all the required aspects of health and safety, including fire safety, for the new premises. In addition, gas and electrical safety checks on equipment in the new premises have been carried out. Fire extinguishers are regularly serviced to ensure that they are in good condition.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 14  The school has plans to revise its staffing structure to ensure that there is suitable level of supervision for the increased capacity and age range of pupils. The proprietor intends that there will be no more than 12 pupils in each class. Staff will be deployed carefully to ensure that pupils are duly supervised throughout the day. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)  The school has renewed its risk assessment policy. For instance, it has risk assessments in place for potential incidents on the proposed new school site. There are clear mechanisms which help support the school to mitigate any risks and to take appropriate action. This includes risk assessments for when pupils make any off-site visits.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17  The proprietor has a detailed understanding of the standards in relation to the suitability of staff. It has ensured that all necessary checks are made on staff prior to their employment at the school. The plans to recruit additional staff to build capacity are appropriate and meet statutory requirements. Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3),) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(6)  A single central record (SCR) is in place and contains an up-to-date record of all the necessary pre-employment checks and information. This is stored electronically.  Records relating to members of the proprietor body are included on the SCR. All the suitability checks, including those relating to the leadership and management of the school, have also been carried out. This includes those checks required under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor and chair of governors have completed appropriate safer recruitment training to support the appointment of suitable staff to work in a school. They have ensured that any new employees have the experience that they need to meet the needs of the pupils in the school.  The proprietor has ensured that the necessary checks that are required are made and recorded prior to the employment of supply staff at the school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met should the material change be granted.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 23(1)(c) 25, 28(1)(b) to 28(2)(b)  The new school site is set on the ground floor of a two-storey building in the grounds of a mainstream school. The accommodation includes three designated teaching spaces, a recreational space (to also be used as a sensory room), medical room (which is also intended to be used as a staff room), toilet facilities and two secure outdoor play areas.  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities for pupils. There are individual toilet cubicles for both male and female pupils that are lockable from the inside. There are sufficient toilet facilities to accommodate the proposed increase in numbers.  There is a secure main entrance where staff, visitors and pupils are collected from to gain access to the school site.  The new premises are clean and tidy and do not pose a risk to the health of staff and

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Main inspection findings

pupils.  The site has an adequate supply of hot and cold water. The temperature of hot water is suitable and does not pose a scalding risk to users.  The new site caters effectively for the proposed increase in the number of pupils should the material change be granted. Paragraph 24  A medical room has been set aside with suitable washing facilities in the room. There is easy access to a toilet. There is a bed, pillow, blanket and first-aid kit in the room. A lockable medicine cupboard is also placed in the room. Paragraphs 26, 27 to 28(1)(a)  All the rooms have suitable acoustics and lighting. In addition, the external lighting ensures that whoever enters and leaves the building can do so safely in the hours of darkness. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The proprietor has ensured that there are suitable outdoor spaces for pupils to cater for the proposed increase in pupils and age range. The school also intends to stagger

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Main inspection findings

lunch and break timings to ensure that as the school grows in number, there is sufficient space for recreational activities.  The school has suitable arrangements in place to utilise the facilities of the mainstream school adjacent to the school building. For instance, the school has made plans to use the sports and washing facilities. Suitable risk assessments are in place that ensure pupils’ safety and welfare when using these facilities.  The standards in this part are likely to be met should the material change be granted. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has an appropriate knowledge of most of the standards. They have planned carefully for the proposed further increase to the number of pupils that the school will admit. For example, they have leased a suitable site to accommodate a larger number of pupils and they have recruited additional staff.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has ensured that most of the standards are likely to be met if the proposed change to use the additional site is granted.  The chair of governors holds the school to account for its work effectively. This helps to ensure that most of the standards are met consistently well. Even so, they have not ensured that the school is fully prepared to cater for the extended age range. For example, some parts of the curriculum for key stage 4 pupils remain incomplete.  The proprietor and the chair of governors have the knowledge and experience required to carry out their roles successfully and to accommodate the material change requested. They are committed to providing a high quality of education for pupils and actively promote the well-being of pupils. However, the proprietor has not fully developed the curriculum for pupils in Year 10 and schemes of work, past term one. In part, this is because they have waited to appoint specialist teachers to design this

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Main inspection findings

learning. As such, they have not been able to complete the necessary actions to ensure that the curriculum is fully developed and can meet all of the standards in Part 1 for the proposed change in age range.  These standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school’s accessibility plan fully reflects the statutory requirements.

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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 that are relevant to the material change, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Headteacher Natalie Walsh and Jacqueline Bebbington

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 17 to 19 October 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 14 11 to 15 Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 12 32 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 12 32

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 12 32

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 12 32

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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 6 32

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 1 4

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Information about this school

 The school intends to relocate its premises to a building on the site of Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, Liverpool Road, Crosby, Liverpool L23 5TF.  The school is currently registered to admit up to 16 pupils.  The school caters for pupils with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other SEND, including speech, language and communication difficulties. Most pupils have an education, health and care plan. Most pupils are placed at the school by local authorities.  The school has recruited a new principal, who will commence their role in September 2025.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place from 17 to 19 October 2023.  The school does not make use of 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 11 to 14 years to cater for pupils up to the age of 15 years. There is no intended change to the school’s SEND offer under the proposed material change. The school also proposes to extend its capacity from 16 to 32 pupils.  As the school intends to move its premises to a new site, the inspector made a tour of the new school site. They also reviewed the documentation to check the school’s compliance with the standards.  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 with leaders, including the school’s joint principals and directors of the proprietor body.

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Inspection team

Amina Modan, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time.

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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. 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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