Alchemy School

School material change inspection report

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Alchemy School 72 Station Road, Teynham, Kent ME9 9SN

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(b), 32(1)(c)  The proprietor body has implemented effective safeguarding systems and processes to ensure the protection and well-being of pupils. Leaders ensure that staff receive appropriate training and have a clear understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities.  The curriculum includes a strong focus on teaching pupils how to stay safe in the wider world, with particular emphasis on relationships and consent. The proprietor also ensures that the school responds appropriately to any safeguarding risks that may arise in the local community.  The designated safeguarding lead and their team have completed appropriate and up- to-date training, equipping them well for their roles. When necessary, they work effectively with external agencies to ensure that pupils receive timely and appropriate support. The school maintains detailed records of all safeguarding actions taken,

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Main inspection findings

which clearly demonstrate the promptness and thoroughness of its responses to concerns. These safeguarding processes are well established, and staff follow them consistently and with diligence. Paragraphs 11, 16 to 16(b)  The proprietor body ensures that robust procedures are in place to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of pupils, staff and visitors. The school has a comprehensive health and safety policy that clearly outlines staff roles and responsibilities, as well as the school’s commitment to ongoing compliance with relevant health and safety legislation. Staff work collaboratively and diligently to ensure the policy is fully implemented. Site managers, appointed by the proprietor, carry out regular and systematic checks on the premises, including checks on fire safety and the overall condition of the buildings.  The school’s risk assessments are thorough and well maintained. Site-specific

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Main inspection findings

assessments and those for on-site activities identify relevant risks and provide clear strategies to mitigate these. Individual pupil risk assessments, including risk reduction plans, are carefully written and support safe access to the full range of school provision. These documents are reviewed regularly and provide effective guidance for staff in managing and reducing identified risks. Paragraph 12  The school buildings are fully compliant with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire exits, signage and extinguishers are clearly marked and appropriately located throughout the school buildings and outdoor learning areas. To further ensure compliance and safety, the proprietor has commissioned an external agency to conduct a detailed fire risk assessment of the premises at each of the sites.  The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards (the standards)

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Main inspection findings

in this part if there is a reduction in capacity to 50 pupils.

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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) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b)  The school maintains an appropriate single central record that includes all required pre-employment checks. The proprietor ensures that these checks are completed prior to any individual taking up a post.  The school implements effective recruitment procedures, which include obtaining satisfactory references and conducting all necessary pre-appointment checks. Senior staff involved in the recruitment process are appropriately trained in safer recruitment practices.  The school is likely to meet the relevant standards in this part if there is a reduction in capacity to 50 pupils.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)(a) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(2), 25, 26, 27(a) to 27(b), 28(1) to 28(2)(b), 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The school’s registered capacity is for 100 pupils. However, the current buildings do not provide sufficient space or the number of rooms required to accommodate all of the pupils on roll should they attend full time.  Following the planned closure of the site at 72 Station Road, Teynham, Kent, ME9 9SN, the school will now operate across the two remaining sites. These are both maintained to a high standard. There are nine dedicated classrooms, including two newly constructed outdoor classrooms. One site also includes a large breakout room and an additional classroom that is currently not in use. As currently furnished, the two sites can safely accommodate up to 50 pupils full time. The unused classroom at the Sittingbourne site has the potential to accommodate a further 10 pupils, but

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Main inspection findings

would require further renovation before it is suitable for use.  The school’s on-site accommodation is supplemented by a range of off-site venues, where a significant proportion of pupils access pastoral support and bespoke curriculum provision delivered by the school. This includes outreach home visits by staff for pupils with complex needs. This approach ensures that all pupils can engage with the school’s offer in a safe and supportive manner.  Classroom sizes vary across the sites, allowing for flexible organisation of provision for small groups ranging from two to 10 pupils. The classrooms are generally well lit, spacious and benefit from appropriate acoustic conditions that support effective learning. Each is equipped with suitable furnishings and resources to facilitate the delivery of the curriculum.  The buildings are equipped with appropriate additional toilet and washing facilities designated solely for pupils’ use. Water systems are regulated to eliminate any risk of

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Main inspection findings

scalding, and drinking water is readily accessible to all pupils.  Each site offers adequate space for outdoor play. In addition, both sites benefit from close proximity to large public outdoor areas, which the school regularly utilises to enhance pupils’ access to outdoor play and learning. All physical education provision is delivered off site, using local sports centre facilities.  The school is likely to meet the relevant standards in this part if there is a reduction in capacity to 50 pupils.

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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)  This material change application follows a reduction in the school’s estate from three sites to two, after the closure of the main site at Teynham, which accommodated 20 pupils.  The school’s registered capacity is 100 pupils, with 68 currently accessing full-time, on-site education. However, leaders have never intended to accommodate the full registered number of pupils on site at any one time in the current accommodation. A significant minority of pupils are enrolled on part-time programmes, much of which is delivered off site.  The school’s multi-layered approach, comprising full-time, part-time and outreach provision, is a direct response to increasing local demand for placements. This demand is particularly high in Kent and Medway, where local authorities frequently seek short-term, part-time programmes of the type the school specialises in.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders acknowledge that the current capacity for full-time placements across the two remaining sites is lower than the registered capacity. They are actively exploring additional accommodation options and are seeking guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) to ensure future provision aligns with regulatory expectations.  The proprietor has established a robust framework of checks, balances and accountability measures, including clear reporting systems.  The proprietor has ensured that all relevant standards, including those under part 8, are likely to continue to be met following a change in premises if the school’s capacity is reduced to 50.

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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

Proprietor L & P Educational Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £37,440 to £57,720

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School details

Email address enquiries@alchemyschools.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21 to 23 February 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 19 11 to 19 11 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 91 100 50

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations The outcome of this part of the inspection is the school is likely to meet the relevant standards if the school reduces its capacity from 100 to 50 pupils. The school now operates across two sites, following the closure of the main site. These remaining buildings have a maximum capacity of 50 full-time pupils. They do not offer sufficient space or the number of appropriately equipped rooms needed to accommodate all pupils currently on roll, should they attend full time.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 68 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 23 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 91 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 68 Not applicable

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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 68 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 24 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 Alchemy School now operates across two sites following the closure of its former premises at 72 Station Road, Teynham, Kent, ME9 9SN. The current sites are located at 43 High Street, Sittingbourne, ME10 4AW and 105 Nelson Road, Gillingham, ME7 4LT.  Currently, the school has a registered capacity of 100 pupils, with 91 pupils currently enrolled. Of these, 68 pupils attend one of the school’s sites on a full-time basis, while 23 attend part time or participate in the school’s outreach programmes. These part- time pupils are on dual-registration agreements with their local authority secondary schools in Medway and Kent. However, the school’s available sites can only accommodate up to 50 full-time pupils.  The school caters for pupils in need of alternative education programmes. All pupils attending the school have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The primary area of need for most pupils is social, emotional and mental health. Most pupils

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Information about this school

currently attending have education, health and care plans. Many have not attended any school for extended periods prior to joining Alchemy School.  The school’s last standard inspection took place in February 2023. This included a material change inspection, when the proprietor applied to increase pupil numbers from 50 to 125. The material change was granted for 100 pupils.  The school’s proprietor is L&P Educational Services Limited, which has two directors. One of the directors is the head of school. The directors and other school leaders are supported by an ‘advisory council’ made up of stakeholders from the local community.  The school makes no use of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the DfE because the proprietor has notified it of a change in premises.  This was the first inspection regarding this particular material change.  The inspector met with the headteacher and had brief discussions with staff as she toured the remaining two school sites. She also met with the members of the proprietor body.  The inspector met with leaders to discuss a range of the school’s work, particularly with a focus on how the proprietor body planned to accommodate pupils following a change in premises.  The inspector checked a wide range of policies, records and documentation in relation to the specific standards that were checked at this inspection.

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Inspection team

Laura James, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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