Woodside School

School material change inspection report

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Woodside School 25 Ravensdale Avenue, London, N12 9HP

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 11, 12 and 16 to 16(b)  The school has a risk assessment policy in place. The school has developed a number of new risk assessments in response to the areas identified at the last material change inspection. However, on the day of this inspection, the school had still not made satisfactory arrangements to address the shutter doors to the adjoining church. As a result, the school is not able to restrict visitors to the church and the general public from obtaining unsupervised access to the school building. The school has not appropriately identified the risks associated with the premises sharing its site with a church.  The school has a health and safety policy in place. Many appropriate checks on site safety and suitability have now been completed. The school has begun to carry out regular checks on systems such as fire alarms. However, the school’s health and

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Main inspection findings

safety policy is not implemented effectively. For example, although most of the required improvements identified in the fire risk assessment had been actioned, some were not carried out prior to the inspection. Some of these were completed on the day of the inspection. In several cases, including the installation of fire exit signs and the removal of a portable heater, this was after being identified by the inspector.  During the inspection, the inspector identified several health and safety concerns. These included unsafe heater covers and a loose electrical socket. The outdoor play spaces had not been cleaned and debris, sharp edges and finger traps posed risks to prospective pupils. Although the school addressed these, this is indicative of the lack of consideration shown by the school for how to secure pupils’ safety in some aspects of the school site.  While the school is quick to respond to health and safety issues that are pointed out

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Main inspection findings

to them, they do not currently have a sufficiently rigorous approach to identifying and mitigating potential risks and hazards for themselves.  The independent school standards (the standards) contained in this part are unlikely to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c),24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27 to 27(b), 28(1) to 28(1)(d), 28(2) to 28(2)(b). 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The general condition of the school’s proposed new permanent site is positive and suitable for the intended pupils, with appropriate lighting and acoustics.  The school building is in a church hall with one large, designated classroom and an additional teaching space. Storage space is available for the safe storage of resources and equipment. The premises provides enough space for the proposed increase in the number of pupils.  The premises include suitable toilet facilities for boys and girls with running hot and

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Main inspection findings

cold water. The water in the toilets was not safe to drink. However, the school had not identified this as a risk and had no plans to mitigate this risk.  There is a dedicated area for the treatment of sick or injured pupils, which is adequate to meet the requirements of the standard. It includes a bed, washing facilities and a nearby toilet.  The school does not have facilities for pupils over 11 to shower after physical education (PE). The school intends to use an external provider for PE but at the time of the inspection there was no agreement in place for this.  The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 32(1)(c)  The proprietor and leaders do not demonstrate a secure understanding of the standards and their responsibilities. This is particularly evident with regards to health

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Main inspection findings

and safety and the safe management of risks to pupils. This means that the school’s arrangements to promote and secure pupils’ welfare, health and safety at the proposed new premises are not likely to be suitable.  The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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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 that are relevant to the material change, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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 Mahesh Kotecha and Lesley Anne Patrick

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £40,000 to £90,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21 to 23 May 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 18 8 to 18 Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 0 15 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 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 0 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 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 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 0 Not applicable

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Information about this school

 The school is proposing to move its registered premises at 25 Ravensdale Avenue, London N12 9HP to St Johns Church, Lords Roundabout, London NW8 7NE on a permanent basis.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in May 2024. At this inspection, the school was found not to be meeting the standards in full and was judged as requires improvement for overall effectiveness.  The school does not currently have a substantive headteacher.  The school caters for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including pupils with autism or social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils who attend are likely to have an education, health and care plan.  The school does not use any providers of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned the material change inspection. This is because the school was operating beyond its registration agreement with the DfE. It has changed premises. It is now operating from St Johns Church, Lords Roundabout, London NW8 7NE.  This was the second material change inspection regarding this request.  To check compliance with the standards, the inspector spoke with the acting co- headteachers. One of the co-heads is also the chair of the proprietor body. The inspector toured the premises and reviewed relevant policies, procedures and records.

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Inspection team

Gary Pocock, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  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

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.  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)(a) suitable drinking water facilities are provided; – 28(1)(c) cold water supplies that are suitable for drinking are clearly marked as such; and  28(2) The facilities provided under sub-paragraph (1)(a) will be suitable only if- – 28(2)(a) they are readily accessible at all times when the premises are in use; and

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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 – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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