Rosscon Training Ltd

School pre-registration inspection report

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Rosscon Training Ltd Cocker Trading Estate, Cocker Street, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 2EP

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The proprietor has produced an appropriate curriculum policy. The policy shows that pupils will learn a broad range of subjects and that some thought has been given to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) education.  The curriculum policy is not underpinned by suitable plans and schemes of work for each subject. This is because the plans for most subjects are in the early stages of development. The proprietor has not identified the most important knowledge that pupils need to know and remember in each subject.  The proposed school’s curriculum does not take sufficient account of the needs, interests and aptitudes of the pupils who will join the school. The proprietor is clear about the needs of pupils who will be admitted to the school. However, the likely

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Main inspection findings

needs of the pupils are not reflected in the school’s curriculum design or its intention for how the curriculum will be implemented.  The proposed school’s thinking about how personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education will be taught is at the early stages. There is no carefully considered approach for pupils’ careers development, including for those students in the sixth form. Paragraphs 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d) to 2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3)  There is not enough detail in the proprietor’s plans for the relationships and sex education (RSE) provision to determine if it meets the requirements of the statutory guidance. There are plans in place to give parents and carers information about the content of the curriculum. However, there is not enough detail within the information that the proprietor intends to share for parents to make an informed decision about whether to withdraw their child from the non-statutory aspects of RSE.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 3, 3(a) to 3(j)  The proprietor has appointed a headteacher for the proposed school who has not yet started their role. The newly appointed headteacher has the relevant background and experience of designing learning to meet the needs of pupils with similar needs to those that the school intends to admit.  The curriculum plans lack the depth of detail needed for teachers to understand what needs to be taught and when. In addition, this makes it difficult for teachers to design lessons with adaptations for the wide range of needs of pupils who may attend the school. Paragraph 4  The proprietor has thought about ways of assessing pupils’ needs on entry to the school. This includes their academic attainment as well as their emotional development. However, this is at the early stages of development. In addition, the proprietor has not thought about how it will track pupils progress through the school.

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Main inspection findings

 The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are unlikely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school’s proposed curriculum shows how the proprietor has considered pupils’ SMSC development. Pupils will learn about different faiths, cultures and religions.  The proposed school’s policies and schemes of work show consideration for the promotion of the fundamental British values. For example, the behaviour policy outlines how pupils will learn about mutual respect and tolerance.  The proprietor is mindful of ensuring that where political issues are discussed with pupils, this is done in an impartial way.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b)  The proprietor has a secure understanding of its responsibilities for safeguarding. It has completed appropriate training and established suitable systems that should enable it to mitigate the risk of harm to pupils.  The safeguarding policy reflects the most up-to-date government guidance and is published on the proposed school’s website. There is a programme of training for staff to support and develop their understanding of the additional vulnerabilities that pupils at the school may have.  There will be several members of staff trained to the same level as the designated safeguarding lead. It is the proprietor’s intention that this will enable staff to uphold procedures that protect pupils from harm and identify any concerns swiftly. Paragraphs 9 to 9(c), 10  There is a suitable behaviour and anti-bullying policy in place. The behaviour policy

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Main inspection findings

sets out how poor behaviour will be dealt with and how any incidents will be recorded. The policy shows that the proprietor understands the needs of pupils who may attend the school. The policy is inclusive. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13, 16 to 16(b)  There is a suitable health and safety policy in place. The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Competent professionals are used to service the firefighting equipment.  There is a suitable first-aid policy in place. The proposed number of staff who will receive first-aid training is suitable for the number of pupils on roll.  The proprietor has not ensured that there is an appropriate risk assessment policy in place that sets out how risks will be identified and mitigated. Some risks have not been identified and some of the sampled risk assessments lack the required detail for the proprietor to be assured that pupils are not put at unnecessary risk of harm. For

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Main inspection findings

example, the proprietor has not thought enough about the potential risks involved in operating on a site that is used by other businesses. In addition, risk assessments do not show enough consideration for the typical needs of pupils who may attend the school. Paragraph 14  The proprietor has set out an intended staffing structure that enables a suitable level of supervision for pupils. The proprietor intends to appoint staff with the experience and knowledge to meet pupils’ needs. There is a suitable place for pupils to be safely dropped off and collected. Paragraph 15  There is a suitable admissions policy in place. The proprietor has established appropriate systems to record pupils’ attendance and to monitor absence effectively. The school’s expectations for attendance will be shared with parents during the admissions process. The proprietor is aware of the most recent government guidance about attendance.

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Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are not likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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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), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  An electronic single central record (SCR) is in place. The proprietor rectified some administration errors during the inspection. The SCR contains all of the essential checks made during the recruitment process. Recruitment checks are completed before staff begin working at the school.  The proprietor and other key members of staff have completed safer recruitment training. The proposed school’s planned induction process has a significant focus on safeguarding to ensure that newly appointed staff gain the knowledge that they need to keep pupils safe from harm. The proprietor is aware of the requirement to complete the relevant recruitment checks on any agency staff who the school may contract with.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor understands its responsibility to seek the necessary assurances relating to overseas background checks. The SCR has been set up to record these checks should they be required.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 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 proposed accommodation includes a number of separate buildings on an industrial estate. Although there are other buildings within the site that have public access, each of the school’s buildings have their own secure access. There is a designated space for pupils to be safely dropped off and collected.  The proprietor has refurbished the buildings appropriately. It has considered the potential needs of pupils who may attend the school and the programme they may undertake. For example, there is a fully resourced café area for pupils to gain first- hand experience of a working kitchen.  There are suitable toilet facilities for staff and pupils. Toilet cubicles are lockable from the inside. Hot water is set at a safe temperature. Pupils will have access to drinking

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Main inspection findings

water during the school day. Drinking water is clearly labelled.  There is an appropriate medical room with a toilet nearby. The room has adequate first aid supplies as well as storage for medication.  There is a large indoor football pitch for pupils to use during social times and for physical education. In addition, there is an outdoor social space for pupils to use, marked out by temporary fencing.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(3)(g)  The proposed school’s website provides information about the school’s policies and procedures. The contact details for the proprietor are made available on the website. The proprietor is aware of the requirement to publish inspection reports.  The proprietor intends to provide parents with termly written updates on their child’s progress.  The proprietor is aware of the requirement to publish the results of public examination results on the website.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33 to 33(k)  The proposed school’s complaints policy meets the requirements of the standards. It sets out the process for making a complaint, both at an informal and a formal stage. The policy sets out appropriate timescales and what complainants can expect at each stage.  A copy of the complaints policy is made available on the school website.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has not ensured that the proposed school is ready to open. It has not thought about the design of the school’s curriculum in enough detail, as well as some of the aspects of how the curriculum will be delivered.  The proprietor lacks some of the knowledge that it needs to make sure that pupils receive an acceptable quality of education. It does not have an appropriate understanding of some of the standards found to be unmet at this inspection, mainly around the quality of education and the suitable identification and mitigation of risk.  The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor has written a suitable accessibility plan.  The school is likely to meet the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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, as set out in the annex of this report.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

Type of school Other independent special school

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £40,000 to £80,000

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Proposed school details

Email address dan.rossie@rosscontraining.com

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Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 18 Not applicable Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 90 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 90

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 90

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable 90

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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 Not applicable 90

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is located in premises at Cocker Trading Estate, Cocker Street, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 2EP.  It is proposed that the school will provide full-time education for up to 90 mixed-gender pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 years. It is intended that the proposed school will cater for pupils with a range of social, emotional and mental health needs.  Most of the pupils who attend the proposed school will have an education, health and care plan.  The school does not intend to use any alternative provision for pupils.  The proprietor body consists of the chair and one member.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to determine if the school would be likely to meet the standards if the DfE decides to register it.  This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the proprietor and the newly appointed headteacher. The headteacher has not yet commenced their employment.  The inspector made a tour of the school site, both internally and externally, to check the suitability and safety of the premises.  The inspector scrutinised a wide range of documents provided by the school, including safeguarding information, statutory policies and curriculum plans.

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Inspection team

Jane Dennis, 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

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 .

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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.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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