Bright Minds Creative Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report OFSTED USE ONLY

p.1

Bright Minds Creative Academy 106–108 Park Lane, Croydon CR0 1JB

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(b), 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(f), 3(g), 4  At the previous inspection in December 2024, the independent school standards (the standards) in part 1 were not met. The school did not provide sufficient support and training for staff to deliver the curriculum effectively. There was no structure in place to assess pupils’ knowledge and understanding. Consequently, the school did not pick up on gaps in pupils’ knowledge of subjects, including any underlying gaps in reading. As a result, pupils did not receive effective teaching to enable them to build secure knowledge and skills.  The submitted action plan contained some appropriate proposals to address the previously unmet standards. However, the proposals did not include sufficiently detailed procedures to measure success of the actions taken.  Since the previous inspection, the school has taken effective action to address

p.1

Main inspection findings

weaknesses in the quality of education. Leaders have put in place thorough and extensive training to support staff to deliver the curriculum. This includes various staff training, alongside extra guidance in smaller teams and support for planning specific subjects. The training covers appropriate topics. These include effective approaches for teachers to use that help pupils remember important information. Rightly, the school places focused emphasis on supporting teaching staff to use assessment information well.  The systems for checking pupils’ knowledge and understanding have improved. The school checks pupils’ knowledge when pupils join the school more robustly than it did at the time of the previous inspection. Staff are trained to use checks on how well pupils learn, so they spot misunderstandings and adjust subsequent teaching appropriately. Parents and carers regularly receive relevant information on how their children are

p.1

Main inspection findings

learning.  The approach to teaching early reading is more embedded than it was at the previous inspection. Appropriate training helps staff to make sure pupils read books matched to OFSTED USE ONLY

p.1

Main inspection findings

their knowledge of reading and phonics. Support for pupils who need extra help with reading and mathematics is more targeted towards addressing specific knowledge gaps.  The school’s actions have resulted in clear improvements in the way the curriculum is implemented. However, there is still some variability in the quality of the delivery. The changes are not firmly embedded across all subjects. Consequently, pupils do not build strong knowledge from their starting points across a number of subjects.  Most of the independent school standards (the standards) contained within this part are now met. However, some standards remain unmet. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The previous inspection found that safeguarding was ineffective because the proprietor breached its statutory safeguarding duties. This is because it failed to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service. As a result, the school did not meet the standards in

p.2

Main inspection findings

part 3.  The submitted action plan to improve safeguarding was found to be adequate and likely to address weaknesses in this aspect of the school’s work.  The school has implemented the proposed actions fully. The proprietor created a panel responsible for overseeing the process of staff recruitment. The panel is responsible for making sure that the school complies with all its statutory duties. Since the previous inspection, the school makes referrals to relevant agencies swiftly and appropriately.  The school places a high priority on safeguarding. Leaders provide frequent training and updates to staff on how to safeguard pupils’ welfare. Leaders and staff record and follow up concerns effectively.  Recently, the school commissioned an external review of its safeguarding practices. It used the findings to make informed decisions to embed a strong safeguarding culture.  The previously unmet standards contained within this part are now met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  The previous inspection found weaknesses in the leadership of the school. The proprietor did not ensure that the standards were met consistently. Furthermore, the proprietor failed in its statutory duties relating to safeguarding. This meant that pupils received a poor quality of education and were at an increased risk of harm.  The submitted action plan included appropriate proposals to address these failings. However, the suggested measures for success were too vague.  The proprietor and leaders work collaboratively to improve the school. The actions taken have effectively addressed many previously unmet standards. Consequently, pupils receive a better quality of education and safeguarding arrangements are more robust.  The improvements to the curriculum have not improved the quality of education sufficiently. Consequently, some standards remain unmet. This means that the school

p.2

Main inspection findings

has not ensured that all the standards are met consistently and securely. The school is OFSTED USE ONLY

p.2

Main inspection findings

aware of where it needs to improve further. The proprietor and leaders have appropriate plans in place to make the necessary developments.  The previously unmet standards contained within this part remain unmet. OFSTED USE ONLY

p.3

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are– – 2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills.

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils' work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress;

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 4 The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that a framework for pupil performance to be evaluated, by reference to the school’s own aims as provided to parents or national norms, or to both, is in place.

p.4

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 The standards about the welfare, health and safety of pupils at the school are those contained in this Part.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. OFSTED USE ONLY

p.4

School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

p.5

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.5

School details

Proprietor Horizon Education (South London) Limited

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £52,431 to £105,000

p.5

School details

Email address bianca.greenhalgh@horizoncare.co.uk

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10 to 12 December 2024

p.5

Information about this school

 This day school caters for pupils aged 11 to 19 with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Pupils’ primary needs are social, emotional and mental health. Currently, there are no pupils on roll aged between 16 to 19 years.  The school operates from two sites. The main site is located at 106–108 Park Lane CR0 1JB. The second site is 92 Park Lane, Croydon CR0 1JF.  The previous standard inspection of the school took place 10 to 12 December 2024.  The school makes use of one unregistered alternative provision. OFSTED USE ONLY

p.5

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  At the previous standard inspection, the school did not meet the standards. Following this, the Department for Education required the school to compose a statutory action plan. Ofsted reviewed the action plan in April 2025. Subsequently, the Department for Education deemed the action plan unacceptable.  This is the first progress monitoring inspection since the previous standard inspection. The inspection was conducted without notice.  To check compliance with the standards, inspectors reviewed documents and visited lessons. Inspectors also held meetings with representatives of the proprietor, leaders,

p.6

Inspection team

Andrea Bedeau, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

p.6

Inspection team

Guy Forbat His Majesty’s Inspector OFSTED USE ONLY

p.6

The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range;

p.7

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

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills;

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils' work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress; OFSTED USE ONLY

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 4 The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that a framework for pupil performance to be evaluated, by reference to the school’s own aims as provided to parents or national norms, or to both, is in place.

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 The standards about the welfare, health and safety of pupils at the school are those contained in this Part.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. OFSTED USE ONLY

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety 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 .

p.9

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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.9

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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.9

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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.9

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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.9

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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

p.9

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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

p.9