PhoenixPlace

School material change inspection report

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PhoenixPlace 7a Badsworth Road, London SE5 0JG

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) to (b), 11, 12, 14, 16 to 16(b)  The school’s safeguarding policy is appropriate and complies with current safeguarding guidance. It is also published on the school’s website.  Staff are well informed about how to identify and report any concerns regarding pupils’ welfare. Regular safeguarding training and briefings are provided to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities in keeping pupils safe.  The school consistently applies its procedures for reporting and recording welfare concerns. Safeguarding leads manage referrals effectively, including those escalated to relevant local authorities.  The curriculum, particularly in personal, social, health and economic education, is tailored to meet pupils’ needs. It places strong emphasis on personal safety and well- being, teaching pupils, appropriately for their age, how to stay safe in different

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Main inspection findings

situations, especially in friendships and relationships.  The school keeps detailed and well-organised records of each pupil’s behaviour, safety and welfare, providing a full and current overview of any issues and the actions taken. The school works closely with professionals such as therapists and social workers. Communication with external agencies, including ‘team around the child’ meetings, is recorded clearly and with appropriate detail.  The school implements its health and safety procedures in line with its policy. Site staff carry out all required checks accurately and on time, with regular oversight from school leaders and proprietor representatives.  Both premises are clean, well maintained and fully equipped. The school regularly checks fire safety equipment, tests fire alarms and ensures evacuation procedures are effective. The latest external fire safety audit covered all areas of both sites.

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Main inspection findings

 Comprehensive risk assessments are carried out by the school, with appropriate measures put in place to safeguard pupils’ health and safety both on and off the premises.  The school’s first-aid policy complies with all requirements. Detailed records are kept of accidents, medication administration and unwell pupils. These records are reviewed for trends or patterns, and any required actions are reported to governors and trustees.  The school has a clear system for identifying and managing potential risks to the safety and well-being of pupils, staff and visitors. Risk assessments are conducted across different areas of the school, in both buildings, including classrooms, the kitchen and outside areas and take into account the potential increase in pupil numbers on both sites.  The proprietor has taken appropriate steps to ensure that these independent school standards (the standards) are likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE)

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17 to 21(7)(b)  The school’s procedures for vetting the suitability of staff are thorough. In preparation for the planned increase in pupil numbers, the school has already appointed some new staff and has plans in place for recruiting the remaining number of staff they would need.  The school ensures that all the required checks are undertaken to assure the suitability of staff. These checks are recorded appropriately on the single central record.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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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), 25 to 29(1)(b)  Both buildings and premises are maintained well. They are clean and safe. Lighting is appropriate, including for emergency evacuation. In preparation for the additional number of pupils, the school has renovated the additional site. It has painted it and recarpeted the classrooms. It has purchased all the necessary furniture and equipment needed for the proposed number of additional pupils. As the second site is located in a church hall, the school has made sure that all furniture and resources can be stowed away at the weekends. A thorough risk assessment is in place to check the premises on Monday mornings, following the use of the building by church members, to ensure it is safe for pupils to use. The school will be the sole user of the building during the school week.  The school’s medical rooms on both sites are appropriate spaces to treat sick or

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Main inspection findings

injured pupils. They are near a toilet and hot and cold water facilities.  There is accessible drinking-water for staff and pupils. Drinking-water is labelled appropriately.  There are sufficient and suitable toilet facilities on both sites. The school regulates the temperature of water from the taps to ensure that it is safe for pupils to use. There are enough toilets to cater for the proposed additional number of pupils. Pupils access the shower facilities at the leisure centre, which they use for their physical education (PE) lessons.  The school’s outside area provides sufficient space for pupils to use at breaktimes. On the second site, there is a large hall for indoor PE lessons. The school uses a local leisure centre for some PE lessons and the three parks that are within walking distance of the school.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is appropriate and complies with current safeguarding guidance. It is also published on the school’s website.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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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 school has planned carefully and well for the proposed increase to the number of pupils on roll.  The additional classrooms and other facilities in the second site are suitable and will safely accommodate the proposed increase in the number of pupils.  The school has made pupils’ safety and well-being a central focus in all decision- making processes.  The proprietor has a clear understanding of the potential risks and their implications, with all necessary risk assessments in place.  Leaders have applied their thorough understanding of the standards to ensure full compliance with all relevant requirements and to safeguard pupils’ welfare.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the DfE approves the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  There is a suitable accessibility policy and action plan which meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  This requirement is likely to be met.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £45,315 to £79,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10 to 12 December 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 33 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 31 50 Number of part-time pupils 2 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 33 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 31 46

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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 31 46

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 11 13

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 4 6

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Information about this school

 PhoenixPlace is an independent special secondary school for girls aged 11 to 16.  Most pupils have education, health and care plans for their social, emotional and mental health needs.  Pupils join the school at different times during the academic year. Some pupils stay at the school for short-term placements, before returning to their mainstream school.  The school is registered to admit up to 36 pupils.  The school occupies two buildings. The main site is located at 7a Badsworth Street, SE5 0JG and the second site is c/o Brandon Baptist Church in Southwark.  The school’s last inspection was in December 2024, when it was judged good and all the standards were met.  The school’s sole proprietor is supported by local school leaders.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  Pupils access some of their PE curriculum at the Brandon site and Flaxman Sports Centre, London, SE5 9DF, which has changing and shower facilities.

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Information about this inspection

 The school has applied to the DfE to make some material changes to its registration. At the DfE’s request, the inspector checked whether the school is likely to meet and/or meets the relevant standards if the DfE decides to approve the change. This part of the inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002.  The school has requested an increase in capacity from 36 to 50 pupils. There are currently 33 pupils on roll. Leaders plan to use their main site for key stage 4 pupils only and move key stage 3 pupils to the second site. They intend to stagger the number of new pupils across the year, with a maximum of two at a time, so they settle better.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of this change that the school has applied to make.  The inspector reviewed several policies and documentation such as risk assessments and safety certificates. They had discussions with the headteacher (who is also the

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Information about this inspection

proprietor), the deputy headteacher and all senior leaders. They also spoke to a group of pupils. They conducted a thorough premises check on both sites.

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Inspection team

Aliki Constantopoulou, 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

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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