Strive for Education

School material change inspection report

p.1

Strive for Education 21 North Park Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 5PD

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  There is a safeguarding policy in place that is compliant with statutory guidance. Arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school. Staff receive regular safeguarding training. There is detailed guidance on identifying pupils who might be at risk of harm. The school effectively records, monitors and acts on any concerns about pupil’s safety or well-being.  The proprietor recognises the additional demands that will be placed on staff if the proposed increase in pupil numbers and sites is agreed. The proprietor body has trained additional staff to provide oversight of safeguarding. The school has reviewed its leadership structure to ensure the management of any concerns about pupils’ welfare continues to be effective. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14  The school has a detailed health and safety policy. This outlines how pupils, staff and

p.1

Main inspection findings

visitors to the site will be protected from harm. The school has considered the additional risks posed by operating a workshop facility at one of its additional sites. Comprehensive risk assessments mitigate these risks effectively.  The proprietor ensures that the school is compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Appropriate checks are undertaken on fire safety equipment and the premises to ensure risks are appropriately mitigated. The proprietor ensures that regular evacuation drills take place and any learning from these is actioned.  The school intends to maintain the same staff-to-pupil ratio if the material change is approved. The proprietor understands the demands that additional pupil numbers and an additional site will place on the school. The school has recruited extra staff to take this into account. Current staffing is sufficient to ensure the proposed number of

p.1

Main inspection findings

pupils are adequately supervised across the three proposed school sites. Paragraphs 16, 16(a) to 16(b)  The school implements a robust risk assessment policy to identify potential risks. The risks assessments also detail the actions that will be taken to mitigate potential risks. For example, during subject-specific activities in different parts of the school, risks are identified effectively and managed to protect pupils from harm. Additional risks in relation to the proposed material change have also been considered. Class sizes are to be kept small so that adequate supervision can be maintained.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the material change is accepted.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1) to 18(2)  The school ensures that all relevant pre-employment checks are carried out on staff. The school’s safer recruitment procedures are implemented effectively. This includes, for example, section 128 checks on those with leadership and financial responsibility. Paragraphs 19(1) to 19(3)  The school occasionally uses supply staff. When this happens, the school ensures all necessary pre-employment checks have been carried out by the supply agency. The school demonstrates an effective understanding of what these checks should be in order to meet the statutory requirements to keep children safe in education. Paragraphs 20(6) to 20(6)(c)  All relevant checks have been carried out on the proprietor body, school leaders and contractors who work on site. Paragraphs 21(1) to 21(7)(b)  The proprietor body maintains a single central record of all checks undertaken and the

p.2

Main inspection findings

dates they were completed. These checks ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. This record is regularly checked to ensure it complies with relevant legislation and guidance.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is accepted.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c)  The school’s premises have a suitable number of toilet and washing facilities for pupils. Separate facilities are provided for boys and girls. There are suitable shower and changing facilities. However, most physical education (PE) takes place off site. In those instances, pupils will have access to showers and changing rooms to facilitate PE lessons Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b)  There is an accessible medical room for the short-term treatment of sick and injured pupils. This is appropriate to the needs of the pupils who attend the school. First-aid equipment is distributed appropriately across the school’s sites and checked regularly to ensure the contents are replaced as necessary. Paragraphs 25 to 27(b)  The school’s premises are maintained to a high standard. This includes areas for practical work and outdoor learning. The school has made appropriate adaptations to

p.2

Main inspection findings

reflect the intended use of each area. The health and safety policy is implemented effectively to keep pupils safe on each site.  Lighting and acoustics across the school are appropriate to enable the intended learning activities to take place. Adequate external lighting is provided to ensure pupils and staff can enter and leave the premises safely. Paragraphs 28(1) to 28(2)(b)  Drinking water is available across the school. It is suitably labelled and regular checks are carried out on its quality. Hot water is available and does not pose a scalding risk. These facilities are suitable to meet the needs of the additional number of pupils proposed by the school. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The school’s premises have ample space for pupils to socialise, learn and exercise. These include outdoor grassed and decked areas. There are areas that pupils can use for quiet time as well as for the academic and physical education curriculums.

p.3

Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is accepted.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school has a published safeguarding policy on its website. It is in line with statutory guidance. The proprietor body ensures this is updated at least annually.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is accepted.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body has considered the growing number of pupils and their needs when making adaptations to the school’s site and buildings. There is sufficient space and appropriate facilities to support the academic and pastoral needs of pupils if the material change is accepted.  The proprietor body ensures that the standards are met. It shows a good understanding of the standards and ensures they are met consistently. It has the capacity to ensure this is the case as the school grows.  The proprietor body ensures it fulfils its responsibilities effectively by promoting the welfare and safety of pupils. Additional staff have been appointed in preparedness for the admission of further pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is accepted.

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.5

School details

School category Independent special school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £45,000 to £70,000

p.5

School details

Email address andy@striveforeducation.co.uk

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 7 to 9 November 2023

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 14 to 19 14 to 19 14 to 19

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 36 66 66

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 36 66 Number of part-time pupils 12 12

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 36 66

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 26 54

p.6

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 26 54

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 12 27

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 8 4

p.6

Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection took place from 7 to 9 November 2023.  The school was registered with the Department for Education (DfE) as an independent school in February 2023.  The school uses no alternative provision.  The school operates from 19 and 21 North Park Road, Harrogate, HG1 5PD. It also has a workshop at another site: Unit 2 Thirkill Park, Thirkill Drive, Pannal, Harrogate, HG3 1GQ. The school has another workshop it intends to use at Unit 1 Hookstone Park, Harrogate, HG2 7DB. A third proposed site is located at the former St Joseph’s Primary School, Colber Lane, Bishop Thornton, Harrogate, HG3 2JR.  The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and pupils with speech, language and communication needs.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the DfE. It was commissioned to consider material changes to the school’s registration agreement with the DfE. The inspection focused on the standards for the welfare, health and safety of pupils; the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors; premises and accommodation; provision of information regarding safeguarding; and the quality of leadership in and management of the school.  The material changes sought by the school relate to pupil numbers and premises. The school proposes an increase in the school roll to accommodate up to 66 pupils. The school also proposes to use two new premises for teaching construction and a therapeutic and outdoor curriculum. This proposal did not fundamentally affect the nature of the school’s educational provision.  This was the third material change inspection in respect of changes in pupil numbers and premises that the school has applied to make. The second material change

p.7

Information about this inspection

inspection took place in July 2024. At this time, the school proposed to increase its capacity from 24 to 36 pupils and make use of an additional site at Unit 2 Thirkill Park, Thirkill Drive, Pannal, Harrogate, HG3 1GQ.  The inspectors met with the two members of the proprietor body. The two members of the proprietor body are the school’s headteacher and its operations director.  The inspectors met with the school’s designated safeguarding lead. They looked at safeguarding documentation and record-keeping, including the single central record. The inspector also spoke with staff and pupils about safeguarding.  The inspectors toured all of the school’s sites, including the new workshop and former primary school that the school intends to use from September 2025.  The inspectors scrutinised a range of documentary evidence to check on the statutory requirements of the standards.

p.7

Inspection team

John Linkins, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

p.7

Inspection team

David Mills 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 .

p.7

Inspection team

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.

p.8

Inspection team

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 .

p.8

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.

p.8

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8