Fulcrum Education

School pre-registration inspection report

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Fulcrum Education Acklam Road, Middlesbrough TS5 4EQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The proposed school has a curriculum policy in place together with curriculum plans. The curriculum will include English, mathematics, science, physical education (PE), information and communication technology, cooking, humanities, relationship and sex education and art. The proposed school intends to offer a range of accredited qualifications, including vocational qualifications, entry level qualifications and GCSEs in English, mathematics, and science. Curriculum plans will be adapted to meet the needs of pupils.  The proposed school also intends to deliver a therapeutic curriculum. All staff will be trained to deliver the therapeutic elements of the proposed school’s curriculum.  Pupils will have lessons in reading and writing. Pupils who are at the early stages of

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Main inspection findings

reading will be taught phonics. The proposed school has an approved phonics programme in place. Staff appointed to date have been trained in the school’s phonics programme. The reading for pleasure books, currently available in the proposed school’s library, are not age-appropriate. The proposed school intends to purchase more appropriate reading books. Paragraphs 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d), 2A(1)(e), 2A(1)(f), 2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii)  The proposed school has a relationship and sex education policy in place. This is in line with current statutory guidance. This will be made available on the proposed school’s website. Parents and carers will be consulted on the proposed school’s relationship and sex education policy and curriculum. Relationship and sex education teaching materials and resources will be made available to parents.

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils will have access to careers education, work experience, and impartial careers advice and guidance. The proposed school’s careers leader will complete additional training before the proposed school opens. The proposed school intends to invite employers and representatives from local colleges into school to talk to pupils. The proposed school intends to check their careers provision against the Gatsby benchmarks. Paragraphs 3, 3(a) to 3(j) and 4  The proprietor intends to appoint teaching staff with qualified teacher status and staff who have experience of working with pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). A special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) will be part of the proposed school’s senior leadership team. The SENCo will be responsible for conducting annual reviews and liaison with the local authority as well as providing support and training for staff.  When pupils join the proposed school, they will be assessed to determine their

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Main inspection findings

starting points. The proposed school’s assessment policy provides guidance for staff about how to assess pupils. There will be half-termly progress meetings to check pupils’ progress against their starting points.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b) to 5 (b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d)(i) to 5(d)(iii)  The proposed school intends to actively promote fundamental British values. Checks will be made on any visiting speakers to ensure that they do not undermine British values.  Pupils will contribute to the local community and learn about the public institutions in England. There will be visits to places of worship, such as the local mosque, to make links to the local community. The proposed school intends to develop a wid range of opportunities for pupils to contribute to their local community.

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils will learn about different faiths, such as Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam in humanities lessons.  The proposed school intends to offer a range of lunchtime clubs and extra-curricular opportunities to support and develop pupils’ self-esteem and self-confidence.  Pupils will learn about the protected characteristics through personal, social and health education lessons and weekly assemblies.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health, and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proposed school has a safeguarding policy in place. This will be made available to parents on the proposed school’s website.  There is a pharmacy on the same site as the proposed school. The proprietor did not inform inspectors that the proposed school shares the school site with a pharmacy.  The risk assessment provided for the shared site is not suitable. The proposed school

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Main inspection findings

has not adequately considered the potential risks associated with a shared site. Therefore, appropriate action has not been taken to reduce potential risks. Consideration has not been given to sharing the school site in the proposed school’s risk assessment policy.  The designated safeguarding lead has undertaken appropriate training. All staff appointed to date have completed ‘Prevent’ duty training. However, the safeguarding knowledge and understanding of some staff is not secure enough.  These standards are unlikely to be met. Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10  The proposed school has a suitable behaviour policy and anti-bullying policy in place. These policies consider pupils’ additional needs. Behaviour support plans will be implemented if needed.  A management information system will be used to record any behaviour or bullying incidents and associated actions.  The proposed school intends to analyse behaviour and bullying incidents on a weekly

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Main inspection findings

basis.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13, 14  The proposed school has a suitable health and safety policy in place. The proposed school intends to set up a service level agreement with the local authority to support leaders to check the implementation of the health and safety policy. Members of the board of proprietors will regularly visit the proposed school to ensure that health and safety checks have been carried out and the building is in good working order.  A fire risk assessment has been carried out by an external company. Any issues found have been actioned. Staff who have already been appointed have received fire safety training. The proposed school has appointed a fire marshal. There is fire evacuation signage throughout the proposed school and a fire assembly point. Systems and procedures are in place to ensure regular checks of fire equipment. Personal emergency evacuation plans will be implemented if needed. During the inspection, fire

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Main inspection findings

exits were clear of obstructions and fire doors were closed.  There is a first-aid policy in place. The proposed school will use a management information system to record any accidents.  Every classroom, and break out space, will have two members of staff present. Pupils will be supervised during social times. In lessons, staff will work one to one with pupils or in small groups. Most pupils who attend work experience will be accompanied by a member of staff, depending on need.  These paragraphs are likely to be met. Paragraph 15  The proposed school’s admissions and attendance registers meet statutory requirements. The proposed school will use an electronic attendance register.  This paragraph is likely to be met. Paragraph 16(a), 16(b)  The proposed school’s risk assessment policy does not mention the risks associated with sharing the school site with a pharmacy.  The risk assessment for the pharmacy does not adequately identify associated risks

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Main inspection findings

and mitigation of these risks. Consequently, the proposed school has not demonstrated a comprehensive and active approach to risk management. The proprietor has not ensured that risks are appropriately assessed for the shared site.  These standards are unlikely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1), 18(2)(a) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(1), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  The proposed school has an electronic single central record. This records the necessary checks that have been completed on staff appointed to date.  Some prohibition checks for staff were missing from the single central record. These checks were completed during the inspection.  The proposed school does not intend to use supply staff. However, leaders understand the checks that need to be carried out if they use supply staff in the future.

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Main inspection findings

 The chair of the board of proprietors has completed safer recruitment training. During the inspection, the proprietor arranged for another member of staff, who has some responsibility for the single central record, to complete this training.  Necessary checks have been carried out on the members of the board of proprietors.  The proposed school understands that a Disclosure and Barring Service check must not be more than three months old when a member of staff takes up their post.  The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a) to 23(1)(c), 23(2)  The proposed school has suitable toilet facilities for pupils. The toilets are provided in a room that can be secured from the inside and are intended for use by one pupil at a time.  There are two toilets solely for the use of staff. There is a disabled toilet on the

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Main inspection findings

ground floor.  There are two showers on site. Each shower has a small changing area. The proposed school will also use an off-site sports centre for PE. The sports centre also has suitable changing accommodation. Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  There is a suitable medical room. The room has a bed, a sink, and a first-aid kit. The medical room is next to a toilet.  There is a locked cabinet in the reception area of the proposed school for the safe storage of medication. Paragraph 25  The premises are well maintained and decorated. The proposed school has procedures in place to frequently check the premises to ensure they are maintained well.  During the inspection, some broken roof tiles were replaced. Paragraphs 26, 27(a), 27(b)  The lighting and acoustics in each room are suitable.  The proposed school has external lighting to ensure that people can safely enter and exit the building when it is dark.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 28(1)(a) to (d), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  There is suitable drinking water available for pupils in the dining area. The drinking water is labelled.  Toilets have hot and cold water. The temperate of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk. Paragraph 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  During the inspection, the proposed school did not have suitable outside space to deliver the proposed school’s PE curriculum. The proprietor arranged during the inspection for the proposed school to use an off-site sports centre for PE. The proposed school has appropriate risk assessment in place for use of the sports centre.  There is a grassed area outside for pupils to use during breaktimes and lunchtimes.  The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(ii), 32(2)(c), 32(2)(d), 32(3) to 32(3)(f)

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school intends to have a website. The plans for the website include the information and policies that the proposed school should publish.  The proposed school’s website will include the proposed school’s curriculum policy, behaviour policy, anti-bullying policy, safeguarding policy, health and safety policy, complaints policy and first-aid policy. The website will also include information about the proposed school’s academic performance and arrangements for admitting pupils.  There will be a section on the proposed school’s website for publishing any inspection reports.  Contact information for the board of proprietors will be available on the website.  The proposed school’s annual written report to parents includes information about a pupil’s progress and attainment.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a) to 33(k)

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school has a complaints policy in place. This will be made available to parents on the proposed school’s website. The policy fulfils the requirements of this part. For instance, the policy sets out clear timescales for the management of a complaint. The proposed school has appointed a complaint panel member, who is independent of the management of the proposed school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a) to 34(1)(c)  The chair of the board of proprietors is the headteacher of another independent school that caters for pupils with SEND. The members of the board of proprietors are directors of the company that runs the independent school where the chair of the board of proprietors is the headteacher. Therefore, the board of proprietors have experience of providing education for pupils with SEND.

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Main inspection findings

 Members of staff who have been appointed to date have experience of working with pupils with SEND.  The proposed school intends to use an external school improvement partner to check, and quality assure the work of the proposed school.  During the inspection, the proposed school updated some of their policies to include reference to the most up-to-date statutory guidance.  During the inspection, the proposed school was not transparent with inspectors about the proposed school sharing their premises with a pharmacy. The proprietor has not demonstrated a secure understanding of the potential risks to pupils of sharing the school premises. Appropriate risk assessments are not in place to mitigate all the potential risks that relate to sharing the school premises.  Not all of the independent school standards are likely to be met. The board of proprietors have not shown that they can fulfil their responsibilities effectively by

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Main inspection findings

ensuring that the independent school standards are likely to be continually and consistently met over time.  The standards in this part are unlikely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school has a suitable accessibility plan in place. This plan meets 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

Proprietor Fulcrum Education Solutions Ltd

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Proposed school details

Email address information@fulcrumed.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age 0 Number of pupils of compulsory school age who have an education, health, and care plan, or who are looked after by a local authority Total hours operating as a school per week 22 hours 30 minutes

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 20 hours

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 16 Not applicable Number of pupils on the school roll 0 40 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 0 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health, and care plan 0 40

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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 Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 8

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 2 6

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is in Middlesborough. The proposed school’s address is Acklam Road, Middlesborough TS5 4EQ.  The proposed school is located in a former medical centre.  There is a pharmacy on the same site as the proposed school. This is connected to the proposed school’s building. The proposed school and the pharmacy share a car park and fire alarm system.  The proprietor of the proposed school is Fulcrum Education Solutions Ltd. The chair of the board of proprietors is the headteacher of another independent school, Invested Education. The other two directors of Education Solutions Ltd. are also members of the board of proprietors of Invested Education.  The proposed school will provide education for pupils from the ages of 11 to 16.  The proposed school intends to admit pupils with education, health, and care plans.  The proposed school intends to admit pupils with social, emotional, and mental health

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Information about this proposed school

needs, autism, specific and moderate learning difficulties, and cognition and learning needs.  The proposed school originally applied to admit pupils with visual impairments. However, this was an administrative error on the application form.  The proposed school does not intend to use any alternative provision.  The proposed school is currently operating without registration, as an alternative education provider. At the time of the inspection there were no pupils on roll.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to determine whether the proposed school is likely to meet the standards should the DfE decide to register the proposed school. The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  Inspectors met with the proposed school’s headteacher, the chair of the board of proprietors, the designated safeguarding lead, the office administrator and two members of staff who have already been appointed by the proposed school.  Inspectors reviewed a range of documentation and policies relevant to the independent school standards.  Inspectors toured the proposed school’s site to check if the school is likely to meet the independent school standards related to premises and accommodation.  An inspector visited the off-site sports centre that the proposed school intends to use for PE.

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Inspection team

Michele Costello, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health, and safety of pupils

 7 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.

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Part 3. Welfare, health, and safety of pupils

 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 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

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.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

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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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