SENDSCOPE

School material change inspection report

p.1

SENDSCOPE The Pavillion, St Francis Xavier’s College, Woolton Hill Road, Liverpool, Merseyside L25 6EG

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(i)  The school has undertaken a thorough review of its curriculum policy to ensure it is suitably aligned with the proposed extension of the age range to include pupils aged from 11 to 15 years. It has established clear curriculum maps that outline how pupils will access a broad and balanced range of subjects, including linguistic, technological, human and social, and aesthetic and creative education. These curriculum plans outline when key themes and topics will be introduced and explored within each area of learning.  At the time of the most recent material change inspection, the proprietor did not have schemes of work fully in place for pupils in Year 10. Since then, the proprietor has developed schemes of work which consider the knowledge and skills that the school intends to teach pupils in Year 10. The school has considered wider courses and

p.1

Main inspection findings

qualifications that would help meet these needs. As such, the curriculum is suitably designed to ensure that pupils gain the knowledge and experiences they need to move successfully into their next stage of education, employment and/or training. Paragraphs 3, 3(c)  The school currently employs four members of staff but has clear plans to increase this number to seven. It has appointed a new principal and recruited additional personnel to support the delivery of education across an expanded age range and increased pupil capacity. The proprietor has ensured that newly appointed staff possess the teaching expertise and experience that is required to deliver the key stage 4 curriculum effectively. As a result, the school is likely to meet the needs of the pupils it intends to admit, including those in Year 10.  At the most recent material change inspection, the school had sufficient classrooms and online resources to meet the needs of pupils. However, these resources were not

p.1

Main inspection findings

fully developed for pupils in Year 10. Since then, the proprietor has produced teaching materials to support the effective delivery of the full curriculum for pupils in Year 10. There are sufficient tools to ensure that these pupils gain a secure body of knowledge to help them progress on to their next steps.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  The proprietor demonstrates a secure understanding of the standards. It has made considered preparations for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. For instance, it has leased an appropriate site to accommodate the anticipated growth and has appointed additional staff to support this expansion. The chair of governors provides effective oversight and holds the school to account for its performance. This contributes to the consistent and secure implementation of the standards. For example, the chair of governors has actively reviewed and supported decisions relating to staff recruitment and site expansion.  The chair of governors and the proprietor bring relevant expertise and insight to their respective roles, enabling them to manage the proposed material change with confidence. Their actions reflect a strong commitment to securing positive educational

p.2

Main inspection findings

outcomes and promoting pupil welfare. In collaboration with subject specialists, they have constructed a curriculum for pupils in Year 10 that aligns with the revised age range and supports effective implementation.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

p.2

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.3

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.4

School details

Headteacher Natalie Walsh and Jacqueline Bebbington

p.4

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 17 to 19 October 2023

p.4

recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 14 11 to 15 11 to 15

p.4

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 12 32 32

p.4

School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 12 32

p.4

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 12 32

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 12 32

p.5

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 6 32

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 4

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 1 4

p.5

Information about this school

 The school intends to relocate its premises to a building on the site of Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, Liverpool Road, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 5TF. Its current premises are located at The Pavillion, St Francis Xavier’s College, Woolton Hill Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L25 6EG.  The school currently provides full-time education for 12 pupils. The school is currently registered to admit up to 16 pupils.  The school caters for pupils with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other special educational needs and/or disabilities, including speech, language and communication difficulties. Most pupils have an education, health and care plan. Most pupils are placed at the school by local authorities.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place on 17 to 19 October 2023. Since then, a material change inspection, commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), took place on 12 June 2025.

p.5

Information about this school

 The school does not make use of alternative provision.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 This desk-top material change inspection was commissioned by the DfE 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 age range to extend the provision from 11 to 14 years to cater for pupils up to the age of 15 years.  In evaluating whether the school would meet the relevant standards, the inspector undertook a review of curriculum information and considered a range of documentation, including schemes of work and teaching resources for pupils in Year 10.

p.7

Inspection team

Amina Modan, 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 .

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