Park Lodge School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Park Lodge School Park Lodge, 26 Park Avenue, Wolverhampton WV1 4AH

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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), 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d) to 2A(2), 3 to 3(j), 4  The proposed school has a clear vision for the curriculum it intends to provide for pupils. It has designed a broad and ambitious curriculum that is supported by well- sequenced schemes of work. The curriculum aligns with the breadth and scope of the national curriculum. Appropriate consideration has been given to the careers advice and guidance that pupils will receive.  Pupils who attend the proposed school will have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The curriculum takes this into account, as well as the age of pupils. The school is sensitive to aspects of the curriculum that need particular additional thought and attention, given the complex nature of needs of pupils who will attend the school.  At the previous pre-registration inspection, some aspects of this part were judged as

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Main inspection findings

not likely to be met. Since then, the proprietor has supported the new leadership to review and refine the proposed staffing structure to ensure that all curriculum areas will have suitably knowledgeable staff allocated to them, including humanities.  Alongside the above, the structure of the curriculum has been revised and restructured into three parts. These include stabilisation, engagement and learning. There are a full range of plans and schemes of work in place for each subject. Underpinning these top-level documents are unit of work outlines. Staff will use these to plan the teaching and learning with a focus on revisiting prior learning, the acquisition of new knowledge and assessing pupils’ progress. Consequently, this part is now likely to be met.  Each pupil will follow a highly bespoke and individualised curriculum. The school will gather a range of information when pupils first join the school. This is intended to

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Main inspection findings

enable staff to get to know pupils, their needs and interests well in order to provide a learning experience which matches pupils’ age, aptitudes and needs. It will also enable the school to link with each pupil’s home school, when there is one, and to build on prior learning and qualification pathways as appropriate.  The proposed school’s ambition is that all pupils will read for both learning and relaxation. There is an early reader programme in place for pupils who might be at an earlier stage of learning to read. Staff training will support the effective implementation of this. The school has systems in place to liaise with and link to the home school’s phonics programme should it be required.  The proposed school will ensure that staff have the skill and expertise to meet pupils’ needs. Staff will be highly qualified and experienced in working with pupils with SEND. A framework for assessing pupils’ work as well as their social development has been

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Main inspection findings

designed. This level of detail will enable staff to further adapt learning to meet needs in a personalised way. It will also ensure that no pupils are discriminated against contrary to part 6 of the Equality Act 2010.  The school has organised regular briefings at key points in the day and week. These will take place with medical professionals and the multi-disciplinary team to ensure that information of relevance to pupils’ health and learning is shared clearly, efficiently and effectively. This will allow staff to be well placed to meet individual needs as they arise.  The proposed school is likely to meet the independent school standards (the standards) in this part.

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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 given careful thought to its personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum. It has ensured that PSHE meets statutory requirements but is specific to the context of the school and takes sufficient account of the personal circumstances of pupils. The content will support pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.  The school plans to ensure that pupils learn about the importance of fundamental British values, protected characteristics and the wider role they can play in society. It intends to make sure that pupils will not be exposed to partisan political views.  The school has laid out a clear personal development programme that will form part of tutor time. The content will support pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development as well as developing their knowledge of different cultural traditions.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if it is granted permission to open.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 9 to 10, 32(1)(c)  At the previous pre-registration inspection, some requirements in this part were judged as not likely to be met. Since then, the proprietor has ensured that the relevant staff’s training is applicable to their role and current. A training matrix keeps oversight of when training is required to be renewed. Risk assessments have been reviewed and revised to ensure that staff consider the risks that could arise in a range of different contexts and situations. Consequently, the requirements are now likely to be met.  Keeping pupils safe is key to the proposed school’s approach. Current staff bring significant experience in supporting vulnerable pupils. The school has put in place a range of policies and procedures that focus on the school and the clinical team working closely together to ensure that both the pupils’ medical and educational

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Main inspection findings

needs are identified, known and supported.  The proprietor has clear policies and processes in place to establish an open safeguarding culture at the proposed school. These are published on the school’s website. Staff will receive specific and regular safeguarding training, including how to use the school’s online recording system for reporting and recording concerns.  The proprietor and school leaders will prioritise safeguarding training when new staff join the proposed school. This will include two layers of training to ensure staff understand the school context within the hospital, as well as keeping vulnerable pupils safe in the school. Daily staff briefings and weekly meetings with the multi-disciplinary team are planned to ensure that everyone has the right information at the right time to keep pupils safe and support their health, behaviour and learning.  The proposed school’s behaviour policy is likely to be implemented effectively. The

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Main inspection findings

policy sets out how pupils will be supported and the sanctions that will be applied in the event of unacceptable or inappropriate behaviour. The proposed school has an appropriate way of recording, monitoring and analysing incidents of poor behaviour.  The school understands how pupils’ health and educational needs might impact upon behaviour. A sufficiently detailed programme of staff training is in place. This will support staff to know how to keep pupils safe and minimise inappropriate or unsafe behaviour, through managing resources and the learning environment in an organised and structured way.  Leaders have drawn up an appropriate anti-bullying policy. This sets out how incidents will be recorded and what support will be offered should bullying occur. Paragraphs 11 to 16(b)  The proposed school has an appropriate health and safety policy. This includes details of those responsible for administering first aid. The school has specific and well-

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Main inspection findings

thought-out systems to consider the delineation of roles and responsibilities between the education and the clinical teams.  The proposed school has suitable policies and procedures in place for fire safety. Leaders responsible for managing the site are aware of their duty to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. There are clear logs in place to make regular checks on fire safety equipment, lighting and alarms. The proposed school also has appropriate procedures in place for fire evacuations.  The school has put together a suitable admissions and attendance register. Staff will register pupils electronically and use the Department for Education’s (DfE) attendance codes. This will be further supplemented by specific internal codes that support the school to monitor not only pupils’ attendance but also their level of engagement and location in the school site for their learning, for example the classroom, a smaller side

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Main inspection findings

room or the ward. Analysis of this information will be used to further support pupils’ recovery as well as their educational achievement.  The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if it is granted permission to open.

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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(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)  The proposed school has a rigorous approach to the safe recruitment of staff. The proprietor and several other leaders have completed safer recruitment training. The school demonstrates clear understanding of what checks are important for different roles and responsibilities. Leaders articulate their understanding clearly and demonstrate secure knowledge of the checks at the recruitment stage being just the start of the safeguarding process in terms of training and establishing a safe culture in school.  The single central record contains all the required information for appointed staff in line with the latest guidance in ‘Keeping children safe in education’.  The school does not intend to use supply staff but understands fully the procedures to

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Main inspection findings

follow in checking suitability of supply staff if necessary.  The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if it is granted permission to open.

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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(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The proposed school is situated in the building of a private hospital in the heart of Wolverhampton. The property is a large Victorian house that has undergone extensive refurbishment to cater for up to 12 patients.  The property is well maintained. The school’s classroom and supplementary learning spaces are bright and colourful. There is appropriate furniture to support safety and learning in each of the areas. The main classroom has natural light from a large bay window. All learning spaces have appropriate acoustics and lighting.  The proposed school also intends to deliver the curriculum in other rooms throughout the building. These rooms have appropriate space so that staff can work on a one-to- one basis or in small groups with pupils.  There is an outdoor space to the front and rear of the property for pupils to play and

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Main inspection findings

socialise. At the rear of the building, the area has been refurbished with artificial turf and new fencing. There is also a bench area on the grass at the front of the building. The outside space has appropriate lighting and is secure.  The proposed school has a suitable medical room on the ground floor. There is also a separate treatment room on the first floor should pupils require gastric or nasal feeding.  Due to the complex needs of pupils who attend the school, toilet and shower facilities are accessible in each bedroom in the hospital. Leaders have ensured that hot water does not pose a scalding risk and that drinking-water is labelled throughout the building.  The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if it is granted permission to open.

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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)(b)(i), 32(2)(d), 32(3) to 32(3)(g)  The proposed school’s website contains statutory polices and other information that is required by the standards.  The proposed school will work with appropriate external agencies to review pupils’ education, health and care plans (EHC plan). Regular planned meetings with parents and carers, along with regular information sharing with parents, will feed into this process. It will provide information to local authorities about EHC plans.  The proposed school has a detailed format for annual pupil reports to parents and carers. These will provide parents with detailed academic and personal development information.  The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if it is granted permission to open.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  The complaints policy is available on the school’s website. The proposed school has set out how complaints will be handled in a written policy.  The complaints policy details processes for informal and formal complaints. Each stage is explained clearly and the policy sets out the required timeframe for responding and actions to take place.  Complainants who are not satisfied with the way the school has dealt with their complaint can request a panel hearing that will include a panel member independent of the management of the proposed school.  At the previous pre-registration inspection, the requirement regarding making findings and recommendations available to the complainant and the person complained about was not met. Also, it was not clear how records of complaints would be recorded or made available for inspection. The change of leadership and increased scrutiny by the

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Main inspection findings

proprietor have ensured that the complaints policy and procedures set out in it mean that this requirement is now likely to be met.  The school will retain written records of complaints and the actions taken in response to them.  The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if it is granted permission to open.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  At the previous pre-registration inspection, this part was judged as not likely to be met. Since then, the proprietor has reviewed the structure of leadership and employed staff with the requisite knowledge, experience and expertise of leading an independent school. The proprietor further strengthened the recruitment process to ensure that senior leaders have distinct knowledge of not only the standards but also the demands and requirements of working in a school within a hospital.  Through detailed consideration of all of the required standards in this pre-registration inspection, with additional regard paid to the standards that were previously unlikely to be met, the proprietor has taken specific and effective action to ensure that this part is now likely to be met.  The proprietor has a clear and ambitious vision for the proposed school. Leaders bring

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Main inspection findings

with them a wealth of experience from working with pupils with SEND. They are knowledgeable about the needs of the pupils they intend to cater for and intend that all staff working at the proposed school are equally well skilled. A detailed and extended company induction is in place, which is further supplemented by an equally detailed school induction to ensure staff are suitably skilled and have the knowledge to support the pupils who will attend this school.  Leaders, governors and the proprietor have developed a secure system of quality assurance. The proprietor has learned lessons from previous schools that it has opened and attempted to open. It has distinct and defined procedures set out to monitor and evaluate the work of the intended school and to monitor compliance with the standards.  Leaders intend to use their systems of quality assurance to identify and respond to emerging needs in the school as they arise.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor and leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of the standards. They also demonstrate that it is likely they can ensure these standards will be consistently met. A range of monitoring systems and reporting mechanisms are in place to keep the standards and the quality of education under review.  The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if it is granted permission to open.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school’s accessibility plan is suitable. It includes all the requirements, including how leaders will ensure the site, curriculum and documentation are made accessible. It clearly takes account of the context of the school within the hospital.  The proposed school is likely to meet the regulation in this part.

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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.

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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

Email address christopher@arcadiacare.co.uk

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 18 11 to 18 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 10 10

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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 10 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 10

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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 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 Not applicable 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 2

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school intends to operate from Park Lodge, a tier four mental health hospital supporting pupils with eating disorders. It is situated in the heart of Wolverhampton. Most pupils who are admitted to Park Lodge hospital will attend the proposed school.  The proposed school intends to provide education to pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils who will attend the proposed school are likely to have an EHC plan.  The proposed school does not intend to make use of alternative provision.  The proposed school does not have a religious ethos.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to determine if the school is likely to meet the standards if the DfE decides to approve the request to register this school.  This is the proposed school’s second pre-registration inspection. The first pre- registration inspection was in May 2024.  The inspector held discussions with the proprietor, the headteacher, as well as other school staff.  The inspector scrutinised and evaluated a wide range of documents provided by the school, including safeguarding information, statutory policies and the proposed school’s curriculum.  The inspection focused on compliance with the regulatory requirements of the standards, safeguarding procedures and schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Inspection team

Kirsty Foulkes, 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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