Poplar House School

School material change inspection report

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Poplar House School 24-26 Lytham St Annes Road East, Lytham St Annes FY8 1UR

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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), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has appointed a new principal who will start in the new academic year. The proprietor has recruited additional staff and a deputy principal to increase capacity in managing the growth of the school. This is to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place for the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  The proprietor has a suitable safeguarding policy in place. It meets all current statutory requirements and is available to parents and carers. Training is rigorously monitored and kept up to date. This ensures that staff remain vigilant and know how to report any safeguarding concerns. There is, therefore, a strong culture of safeguarding here.  The proprietor uses external expert services to ensure that safeguarding processes are continuously reviewed and audited. This helps to drive ongoing improvement

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Main inspection findings

work. Paragraphs 11 to 12  The proprietor has ensured that appropriate policies have been prepared for all the required aspects of health and safety, including fire safety, to accommodate the new capacity. In addition, gas and electrical safety checks on equipment are carried out. Fire extinguishers are regularly serviced to ensure that they are in good condition. Paragraph 14  The proprietor has plans to revise its staffing structure to ensure that there is a suitable level of supervision for the increased capacity of pupils. It intends to have no more than six pupils in each class. New staff will be deployed carefully to ensure that pupils are duly supervised throughout the day, given the additional needs that pupils have. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  The proprietor has renewed its risk assessment policy. For instance, it has risk assessments in place for potential incidents with additional new pupils. There are clear

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Main inspection findings

mechanisms which help support the school to mitigate any risks and take appropriate action. This includes risk assessments for when pupils make any off-site visits.  The proprietor has ensured that these independent school standards (the standards) 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 ensures that all necessary checks are made on staff prior to their employment at the school. The proprietor’s 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) and 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 the proprietor are included on the SCR. This includes the executive team members who govern the school. 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

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Main inspection findings

2008.  The proprietor has ensured that staff are appointed carefully to ensure that they can thrive in the context of this school. They have ensured that any new employees have the experience that they need to meet the needs of the pupils well.  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 and 28(1)(b) to 28(2)(b)  The school spans three floors with dedicated learning, sensory and staff spaces, accessible entry and appropriate safeguarding protocols. Classrooms are clean, well- equipped and scalable. Fire, first aid and health and safety systems are embedded and regularly checked.  Risk assessments, supervision capacity and therapeutic resources reflect appropriateness to meet the additional needs of pupils. For example, the school has sensory spaces and breakout rooms on each floor to help pupils to regulate their emotions and behaviour.  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities for pupils on each floor. There are individual toilet cubicles 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 gain access to the

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Main inspection findings

school site.  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 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. 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 is set up so that whoever enters and leaves the building can do so safely in the hours of darkness. Paragraph 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The outdoor space is currently managed and set for expansion. The proprietor has ensured that there are suitable outdoor spaces for pupils to cater for the proposed

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Main inspection findings

increased numbers. The proprietor also staggers lunch and break timings to ensure that as the school grows in number, there is sufficient space for recreational activities.  The proprietor has plans in place to further enhance the outdoor space and secure fencing around the school site. This work is due to be completed by the new academic year.  The proprietor has suitable arrangements in place to utilise the facilities of a local youth centre. For instance, the school uses the sports and gym facilities at this centre. Suitable risk assessments are in place to 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.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has an appropriate knowledge of the standards. It has planned carefully for the proposed further increase in the number of pupils that the school will admit. For example, it has recruited additional staff and enhanced the school premises. The proprietor has a secure growth plan to address the high demand for pupil places at this school.  The chief executive officer (CEO) effectively holds the school to account for its work. This helps to ensure that the standards are met consistently well.  The proprietor has the knowledge and experience required to carry out its role successfully and to accommodate the material change requested.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved. 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 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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Headteacher Lee Cambray (acting headteacher)

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School details

Email address lee.cambray@blazingstarseducation.com

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 27 to 29 June 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 11 to 18 11 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 18 24 24

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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 18 24

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 18 24

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 18 24

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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 18 24

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 19 25

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 19 25

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Information about this school

 The school is located at premises at 24–26 St Annes Road East, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire FY8 1UR.  The school currently provides full-time education for 18 pupils, aged between 11 and 18 years. The school is registered to admit up to 18 pupils.  The school caters for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs and autism. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school has a new interim headteacher.  The school is part of a new proprietor body Blazing Stars Education.  There is a new chief executive officer of this proprietor body.  Pupils are placed at the school by local authorities.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place from 27 to 29 June 2023.  The school does not use 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 capacity to extend the provision from 18 pupils to 24 pupils. There is no intended change to the school’s SEND offer under the proposed material change.  This is the school’s first material change inspection since its last standard inspection in June 2023.  In evaluating whether the school would meet the relevant standards, the inspector considered a range of documentation, reviewed the school premises and discussed the proposed changes with the local authority, interim headteacher, CEO and the operations manager. The inspector also met with pupils.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s

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Information about this inspection

safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the independent school standards are met.

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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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Inspection team

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