Training and Skills Centre

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Training and Skills Centre Office Suite 2/3, Accent Business Centre, 132 Barkerend Road, Bradford BD3 9BE

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i)  The November 2022 inspection identified that the quality of education provided was poor. The school’s subsequent action plan failed to prioritise timely improvements to the curriculum.  The previous monitoring inspection found that the proprietor had not provided schemes of work or plans for subjects, such as science, personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education and art. These are now in place. However, the school continues not to provide pupils with a sufficiently broad curriculum. In particular, pupils do not experience a well-considered physical or technological education. This means that pupils receive a narrowed curriculum.  The school’s curriculum policy asserts that pupils will study a broad range of subjects. However, leaders have not put plans and schemes of work in place for physical education

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Main inspection findings

or technology.  These standards remain unmet. Paragraphs 2(2), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii)  While there are still some deficiencies in the curriculum planning, there are opportunities for pupils to learn and make progress.  At the time of the last inspection, the school’s personal development programme did not promote fundamental British values or protected characteristics. The school’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural education remained underdeveloped. Pupils had a limited understanding of aspects of British values, such as democracy.  This inspection found that leaders have developed the school’s personal, social, health and economic education offer. The school uses a range of resources that are increasingly well chosen.  Pupils are exposed to a range of ideas, where they are encouraged to challenge stereotypes, such as gender stereotypes. Staff encourage respect for other people,

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Main inspection findings

paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act. The curriculum promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Pupils are taught about other faiths, customs and beliefs. The curriculum increasingly prepares pupils for life in modern Britain.  These standards are now met. Paragraphs 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i)  During the previous inspection in November 2022, the school did not have a careers education programme that provided pupils with independent advice.  The proprietor has ensured that all pupils access accurate and up-to-date careers guidance that is presented in an impartial manner. Many pupils move on to further education, having already secured provisional places.  These standards are now met. Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g)  At the time of the previous progress monitoring inspection in February 2024, the school

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Main inspection findings

had made limited progress in addressing previously unmet standards. Staff continued not to demonstrate strong subject knowledge or expertise. Resources were limited. The lack of a clear assessment process impacted negatively on staff ability to respond to pupils’ needs and adapt appropriately.  At the time of this progress monitoring inspection, some improvements had been made. A qualified teacher with specialist knowledge in mathematics has been appointed. The proprietor has begun to train staff in the use of consistent pedagogical approaches, including the effective use of formative assessment strategies. However, this work is in its early stages.  The school’s action plan asserted that the purchase of an online learning platform would support staff in developing assessment procedures and in developing staff subject and pedagogical expertise. This has not had the intended impact. Although initial

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Main inspection findings

assessments of pupils’ starting points are carried out in English and mathematics, the proprietor has not implemented a comprehensive framework to assess pupils’ work thoroughly as they learn or ensured that teaching is informed consistently by checks of what pupils know and can do.  These standards remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  At the request of the registration authority, inspectors checked that the arrangements for safeguarding were effective.  The proprietor body does not ensure that arrangements to safeguard pupils are robust. While pupils are able to share their concerns with members of staff, concerns and follow- up actions are not recorded with consistency. This means that pupils are not supported in a timely manner, or their concerns are disregarded. Pupils and their families do not benefit from a safeguarding culture that ensures appropriate action is taken to enable all pupils to have the best outcomes.  Safeguarding information is not shared or reviewed systematically to aid the school’s knowledge and understanding of its roles and responsibilities. As such, the school is limited in its ability to adapt its curriculum to the emerging needs of its pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 The school does not work effectively with external agencies, such as social care, potentially putting pupils and their families at risk of harm.  Safeguarding information is inconsistently recorded across multiple systems, with gaps in documentation and vague or incomplete entries.  The proprietor has not ensured that leaders and staff are sufficiently trained or knowledgeable about statutory safeguarding guidance. Staff have a limited understanding of key risks that pupils might face, including, for example, online bullying and criminal and sexual exploitation.  Safer recruitment practices are in place. All pre-employment checks are undertaken before adults start working with pupils. These checks are recorded on the single central record. However, checks on visitors are not appropriate. They are not required to sign in and out of the school, nor are they asked for proof of identity.  These previously met requirements of the independent school standards are now unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c)  Behaviour has improved since the school’s standard inspection in November 2022. Pupils behave well, they show respect for their learning and for staff. However, while there is a behaviour policy in place, leaders nor staff follow its approach. Carefully scaffolded escalation practice is detailed in the school’s policy. Staff are unfamiliar with the policy or the suitable strategies that are proposed. As such, pupils receive ad-hoc support.  Due to this, inspectors found that while the policy sets out sanctions to be adopted in the event of pupils’ misbehaviour, staff are not trained in these approaches and, as such, the policy is not implemented effectively.  The proprietor’s behaviour policy sets out the process used in the event of pupil suspension. The school does not follow its policy for pupil suspensions appropriately. The school does not ensure that the processes align with government guidance. For example,

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Main inspection findings

parents and carers are not provided with details in writing about the reasons for suspension and how representations are to be made.  The proprietor has a system to record the sanctions imposed upon pupils for serious misbehaviour. However, records are poorly maintained. At times, these are vague and at times incidents are not recorded.  These previously met requirements of the independent school standards are now unmet. Paragraphs 11 and 12  At the February 2024 progress monitoring inspection, the proprietor had not ensured that their actions consistently promoted pupils’ health and safety: specifically, their safety from the risk of fire. For example, leaders did not record fire evacuations.  Leaders have since ensured that full fire evacuations take place in line with the proprietor’s health and safety policy. The school records such evacuations appropriately.  These previously unmet requirements of the independent school standards are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 15  At the February 2024 progress monitoring inspection, the proprietor’s admissions and attendance registers were found to not fulfil the criteria outlined in the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. Leaders have since adopted a commercial system. This provides the proprietor with assurance that records are maintained as per regulations. Leaders check that the attendance records are correct and that attendance codes are used accurately.  These previously unmet requirements of the independent school standards are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that there is suitable safeguarding policy. This policy is published on the school’s website.  The requirements and standard checked in this part continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  At the first progress monitoring inspection in February 2024, the proprietor had not ensured that leaders had the knowledge and skills to ensure that the standards were met consistently and securely. Neither did it have sufficient oversight of leaders’ work.  At this progress monitoring inspection, the proprietor continues to fail to ensure that leaders are sufficiently knowledgeable about the standards.  The proprietor and leaders do not demonstrate a secure understanding of the standards and their responsibilities, particularly with regards to safeguarding and statutory requirements that must be in place to keep pupils safe. This means that the school’s arrangements to promote and secure pupils’ welfare and safety are not suitable.  The proprietor has not devised a suitable accessibility plan that meets the requirements

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Main inspection findings

of paragraph 3 of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  The school does not meet the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school does not have an accessibility plan that fulfils the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Training and Skills Centre Ltd

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School details

Website www.trainingandskillscentreTSC.com

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School details

Email address trainingandskillscentre@outlook.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 23 November 2022

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Information about this school

 This school’s previous standard inspection was in November 2022. This was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The school was judged to be inadequate and a significant number of independent school standards were not met at this time.  A progress monitoring inspection was conducted in February 2024. A number of independent school standards remained unmet following this inspection.  The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils are dual registered at a ‘host’ school. The school is registered to admit up to 14 pupils.  The school is situated on the ground floor of an office building at Barkerend Road, Bradford BD3 9BE.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous standard inspection in November 2022 and its previous progress monitoring inspection in February 2024.  Inspections are a point-in-time evaluation about the quality of a school’s education provision.  The registration authority required the school to prepare an action plan because of non- compliance with the independent school standards being identified on the previous standard inspection. This proposed action plan was found not to be acceptable on 5 May 2023.  This was the second monitoring inspection to take place following the progress monitoring inspection of February 2024 and the standard inspection of November 2022.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was conducted without notice.  Inspectors met with the headteacher.  The proprietor was not available to speak with inspectors.  Inspectors looked at the curriculum and spoke to the headteacher about the schemes of work.  Inspectors had a tour of the school’s premises.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, inspectors: reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  Inspectors met with staff and pupils to gain their views.

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Inspection team

Marcus Newby, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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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; and – 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(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range; and – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress.

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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; and – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

 The proprietor must prepare an accessibility plan that, over a prescribed period- – increases the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the school’s curriculum; – improves the physical environment of the school for the purpose of increasing the extent to which disabled pupils are able to take advantage of education and benefits, facilities or services provided or offered by the school; and – improves the delivery to disabled pupils of information which is readily accessible to pupils who are not disabled.

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that- – 9(a) a written behaviour policy is drawn up that, amongst other matters, sets out the sanctions to be adopted in the event of pupil misbehaviour; – 9(b) the policy is implemented effectively; and – 9(c) a record is kept of the sanctions imposed upon pupils for serious misbehaviour.

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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.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress. – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which- – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act[9]; – 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that- – 2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner; – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; and – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor- – 5(a) actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; – 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which- – 5(b)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; and – 5(b)(vii) encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. 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 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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