Aspire and Achieve

School pre-registration inspection report

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Aspire and Achieve Fieldhead Carr Community Centre, Naburn Approach, Whinmoor, Leeds LS14 2EG

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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)(h) to 2(2)(i)  The proposed school has operated as an alternative provision for a considerable length of time. The proprietor body intends the school will continue to educate pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH). The school currently takes pupils from a range of schools in Leeds.  Since the last pre-registration inspection in February 2024, the proprietor has worked with local schools to develop a curriculum which is suitably broad. It has purchased commercial schemes which provide resources and lesson plans across several subjects. The proprietor has tailored the resources in these schemes to the specific needs of the pupils at the school.  The proprietor has plans to offer GCSE qualifications in English, mathematics, science,

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Main inspection findings

geography and history. There is an ambition to develop provision for vocational qualifications in the future.  The proprietor has also considered the phonics programme that they may enact should pupils need support with decoding. While the system for this is not fully developed, the evidence from this inspection is that it is not required for the majority of pupils at the school. The proprietor is conscious of the need to have a strategy to implement a phonics programme, should pupils be registered at the school who require this provision.  The proprietor has developed a suitable personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum, with provision for careers information and guidance, for example, so pupils can visit various local colleges. The PSHE curriculum provides a clear framework for teaching, among other topics, about fundamental British values. Workshop lessons are tailored to the needs of pupils and appropriately take into account issues, for

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Main inspection findings

example related to keeping safe.  In addition to their own curriculum, the school will continue to work with some pupils that attend from local secondary schools. In these cases, the proprietor intends to continue to deliver their home school curriculum to pupils.  There is clear evidence that the proprietor has considered the ways in which pupils who are registered solely at Aspire and Achieve and those who will remain registered at other schools will have a curriculum which is appropriate to their needs.  The school is likely to meet these independent school standards (the standards). Paragraphs 2(A)(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d) to 2A(2), 3 to 3(j), 4  Leaders have plans for pupils to be taught relationships and sex education (RSE) through the PSHE curriculum. They have a clear RSE policy which allows for parents to withdraw their child from RSE education that is not statutory. Leaders also have processes in place to consult with parents about the RSE curriculum.

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils currently at the school show determination in lessons. They are positive about their experiences of education at Aspire and Achieve. The proprietor has established an atmosphere which helps pupils gain independence and fosters motivation. There are strong relationships between pupils and staff. In addition, the proprietor has prepared resources to deliver the curriculum for pupils who will not come from a home school. These approaches mean that pupils experience lessons with effective teaching methods and good use of class time.  The proprietor has considered the ways in which they will assess pupils’ progress. It has developed a clear programme to check pupils’ starting points to enable delivery of curriculum materials which are most appropriate to the aptitudes and prior experiences of each pupil.  It is likely that these standards will 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 proprietor has considered the way their personal development offer will ensure pupils encounter different cultures, religions and faiths. They have provided for experiences with representatives from prominent public institutions such as the police and the fire service.  The proprietor has considered the fact that pupils attending the school are likely to have experienced trauma. The curriculum approach and organisation of the school day ensures that there is flexibility to support pupils’ ongoing needs in this area.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has ensured that safeguarding leaders at the school are suitably trained, including in safer recruitment. There is a clear system to record safeguarding concerns. A suitable programme of induction and training is in place so that staff understand their responsibilities in this area.  The safeguarding policy states how the school will work with safeguarding leaders in other schools when pupils remain on roll at a home school. This includes the implementation of effective and well-established processes and procedures. There is clear consideration of how information will be shared between the home school and Aspire and Achieve. This aspect of the school’s work is secure.  The proprietor has not made sufficient provision in child protection policies for pupils who are solely registered at Aspire and Achieve. The policy does not give assurance

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Main inspection findings

that there has been appropriate consideration of the different ways of working that will be necessary when Aspire and Achieve has sole responsibility for the well-being and welfare of children.  It is likely that the requirements for this standard will be unmet. Paragraphs 9, 9(b)  The behaviour policy does not give assurance that leaders have considered how they will manage behaviour for pupils who are solely registered at Aspire and Achieve. For example, when pupils are suspended, the policy outlines clear procedures for working with home schools on restorative practices. It makes clear the ways in which home schools will have information shared with them so that they can take appropriate action. However, there is no such consideration for how restorative practices might work when pupils are solely registered Aspire and Achieve. The proprietor has not considered whether, or how, suspensions and permanent exclusions might be applied

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Main inspection findings

for pupils registered at Aspire and Achieve.  These requirements of the standards are likely to be unmet if the school is registered to open. Paragraphs 9(a), 9(c), 10  The behaviour policy outlines the ways in which the school will work with leaders at pupils’ home schools to share information about behaviour when attending Aspire and Achieve. The policy sets out the sanctions that will be adopted in the event of pupil misbehaviour. Record-keeping related to sanctions is already in place. The proprietor has ensured that the school has a calm and positive atmosphere. Pupils enjoy coming to the school as an alternative provision.  Pupils are taught about respect and feel confident in speaking to the adults that work with them. They report that bullying is rare.  These requirements of the standards are likely to be met if the school is registered to open. Paragraphs 11 to 15  The school’s health and safety policy complies with relevant laws. Hazardous

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Main inspection findings

substances are suitably stored in a locked cupboard. The first-aid policy outlines how first aid will be administered, and there are sufficient staff trained in the delivery of first aid. The proprietor has ensured that fire risk assessments are completed. It acts upon findings, including communication with other tenants of the building, to reduce the risk posed by fire. Fire exits are clear and there are regular fire drills.  There are sufficient staff to supervise pupils both in the school building and in the adjacent fields which are used for physical education (PE).  The school has established an appropriate admissions register and electronic attendance register in line with relevant guidance.  These standards are likely to be met if the school is registered to open. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Mandatory risk assessments as outlined in the school’s risk assessment policy are not in place. There is evidence that the proprietor has communicated with the building

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Main inspection findings

owner about this. However, the proprietor has not taken sufficient steps to ensure that they have considered and mitigated risks that pupils may face. For example, there is no evidence that Legionella risk assessments have been completed recently. Risks related to sharing the building with other tenants have not been appropriately considered. The use of the kitchen space by staff for pupils’ food preparation is also in need of an appropriate risk assessment.  There are appropriate risk assessments in place that are related to the activities that pupils will undertake while at the school.  It is likely that the requirements of these standards will be unmet if the school is registered 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), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)  The proprietor has completed relevant checks on staff and volunteers at the school. These checks are completed in a timely fashion before staff commence work at the school. While the proprietor does not intend to use supply staff, they understand the processes needed to ensure that, in emergencies, they can deploy supply staff appropriately and with due regard to checks to ensure suitability.  The school employs unqualified teachers to deliver the curriculum. The school has suitable pre-employment processes in place to check that these staff are suitable to deliver the planned curriculum.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Paragraphs 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(6)  Relevant checks have been completed on members of the proprietor body. These are

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Main inspection findings

recorded on the school’s single central record.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Paragraphs 21(1) to 21(3)(b)  The proprietor maintains a suitable single central record of all pre-employment checks on staff in electronic format. The school has links with other agencies to provide support around the maintenance of the single central record and pre-employment checks on staff.  It is likely that the requirements for these standards will be met if the school is registered to open.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c)  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities available for the sole use of pupils. The school is housed in a building which has two separate changing rooms, complete with showering facilities.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2)  The school has identified a room which can be used for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils. Washing facilities are available in the room and there is a toilet nearby. A bed is available which can be used if necessary. This room is readily available when needed.  It is likely that these standards will be met. Paragraphs 25  The school building is in a good state of repair. Risk assessments around the presence of asbestos and fire safety have been completed. There is evidence that checks around the safety of electrical appliances have taken place. However, there are

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Main inspection findings

inconsistencies around this approach. The proprietor has not considered the fact that toilets which are unused and out of order, although not accessible to pupils, need to be part of a regular risk assessment to check for the presence of Legionella. Some risk assessments take place when the school is closed. Therefore, the assessors do not have access to all parts of the building. The proprietor has not ensured that these checks are conducted so assessors can access all parts of the building. This means that the assurances and assessments from this work do not offer a complete picture of the suitability of the building. There has not been sufficient thought given as to how the shared kitchen is used with other tenants of the building.  This standard is unlikely to be met if the school is registered to open. Paragraphs 26 to 27(b), 28(1)(a) to 28(1)(c), 28(2) to 29(1)(b)  The classrooms are light, spacious and have appropriate materials for the use of

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Main inspection findings

pupils. Entrances to the school are clear and appropriately lit.  Drinking-water facilities are suitably labelled and are separate from the toilets. They are available for pupils use at all times.  While some toilets in the school are out of use, there are ample facilities which remain available. These have adequate supplies of hot and cold water.  The school sits adjacent to a large playing field which can be used for the delivery of the school’s PE curriculum. There is also a space which is part of the school grounds and fenced off to prevent use by others. These spaces are suitable for the size of the proposed school and the activities planned.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraphs 28(1), 28)(1)(d)  The temperature of the hot water at the point of use is uncomfortably hot and poses a potential scalding risk. The temperature is not reliably consistent.  This requirements for this standard are unlikely to be met if the school is registered to

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Main inspection findings

open.  It is likely that some of the standards in this part will be unmet if the school is registered to open. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(1)(i), 32(2) to 32(2)(b), 32(b)(ii), 32(2)(d) to 32(3)(g)  The proprietor has an appropriate website. This contains details of the headteacher, the address of the school and contact details for members of the proprietor body. Policies around behaviour and safeguarding are available. Other policies required as part of these standards are in place and could easily be made available to parents should the school be registered. The curriculum plans, for example, take account of the needs of pupils with SEND and form part of the documentation considered by inspectors.  Leaders have suitable plans to provide parents and local authorities with relevant information about the progress of pupils and accounts of expenditure.  These standards are likely to 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. This provides relevant information to parents and carers about how they would complain to the school should it be registered. It complies with current guidelines. There are clear timescales for each stage of the process and provision for independent panel members to be involved in appropriate stages of the procedure.  The school is likely to meet these standards if it is registered 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)  There has been significant progress made since the last pre-registration inspection. Part 1 of the standards is now likely to be met, and the proprietor has ensured that there is effective consideration of how pupils’ differing circumstances can be appropriately met with the curriculum approaches of the school. This provides assurance that leaders have the capacity to develop effective systems to support the education of pupils.  There has been too little consideration of the different ways that pupils may be registered at the school and the impact this could have on policies related to safeguarding and behaviour.  The proprietor has been too reliant on the owner of the building to provide assurance related to risk assessments and checks on building safety. This means there are gaps in aspects related to these areas, which the proprietor is not currently taking active

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Main inspection findings

steps to remedy.  Since the last pre-registration inspection, the school has developed an RSE policy. It already provides information related to RSE on the school’s website. There is now a clear programme of activities related to careers. The PSHE curriculum is responsive to the needs of pupils and ensures that pupils’ range of needs are considered. These approaches ensure that the proprietor is actively promoting the well-being of pupils.  It is likely that the standard in this part will be unmet if the school is registered to open.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan developed by the proprietors does not appropriately consider, over a period of time, how the school’s buildings, curriculum and communications can be made more accessible to ensure it moves towards meeting the needs of the diverse range of pupils, families and other professionals that may work with Aspire and Achieve.

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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

Chairpersons Donna Wheelhouse and John Wheelhouse

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £95 to £120 per day

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age Up to 15 Number of pupils of compulsory school age who have an education, health and care plan, or who are looked after by a local authority Up to 15

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Provider already operating

Total hours operating as a school per week 32

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 32

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll 15 15 15

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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 Up to 4 up to 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities up to 15 part-time pupils up to 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan up to 15 part-time pupils up to 15

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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 up to 15 part-time pupils up to 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 3 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this proposed school

 The proprietor wishes to register its current unregistered alternative provision as an independent school to allow more flexibility in the education provided to pupils. When the school opens, the proprietor envisages that some pupils will be registered solely at Aspire and Achieve and some pupils will remain registered at their home school. The total number of pupils will not exceed 15.  The proposed school will offer education for pupils aged 11 to 16. Pupils that attend the school are likely to have SEMH needs and may have an education, health and care plan.  The proprietor does not intend to use any alternative provision.  The school’s proposed location is: Fieldhead Carr Community Centre, Naburn Approach, Whinmoor, Leeds, LS14 2EG.  The first pre-registration inspection for the proposed school took place in February 2024. At that inspection, the school was found to be unlikely to meet some of the

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Information about this proposed school

standards should it be registered to open.

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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 would be likely to meet the standards prior to opening as a registered school. This was the second 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 proprietor body, the centre manager and the inclusion manager.  Inspectors conducted a tour of the school site and scrutinised documents related to site safety.  The inspectors reviewed policies and documents associated with the standards. Documents and policies related to the school’s safeguarding procedures were considered.

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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

 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(b) the policy is implemented effectively; and  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

 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.  28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–  28(1)(d) the temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk to users.

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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

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

 The proprietor has not appropriately considered how the school, including its buildings, curriculum and communications, can be made more accessible over a set period of time. 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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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