Learn and Prosper School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Learn and Prosper School Green Lodge, 180 Old Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 3AY

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(i)  The proprietor has designed an appropriate curriculum in most areas. This has the breadth of the national curriculum. The proposed curriculum identifies what pupils should learn and when. It plans how pupils’ knowledge will develop over time. The curriculum design supports teachers in planning appropriate learning activities.  The proposed school has given thought to how it will adapt the curriculum for pupils’ needs. For example, the proprietor intends to use a range of well-considered assessments when pupils join the school. Teachers will then seek to tailor the curriculum so that pupils build on their prior learning.  While this is the case, the intended curriculum for reading is not as well developed as it should be. The proposed school has not, for example, identified the texts that pupils will read and when. There has not been appropriate consideration given to how pupils’

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Main inspection findings

reading can be developed across the curriculum. The proprietor has identified a potential phonics programme that it may use. However, it has not designed the delivery and training for this. Paragraphs 2(1)(b)(ii) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 3 to 4  The proprietor has recruited some key staff to implement the curriculum. For example, there are leads in place for mathematics and science. The proprietor aims to use staff from its tutoring provision where needed. Intended staffing levels are suitable to support learning. Teachers already recruited have relevant experience. In subjects other than reading, plans for staff training should ensure the appropriate delivery of the curriculum. There is an overview of how leaders plan to monitor the success of the curriculum.  The proprietor has given suitable consideration to its processes for identifying special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This is likely to mean pupils’ needs will

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Main inspection findings

be reviewed regularly and accurately. The proposed school articulates clear approaches for how it will support pupils with SEND. It aims to break down the required strategies and outcomes on pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans into incremental targets. Leaders understand the importance of close liaison with agencies to ensure pupils get the best help. The proprietor intends to include pupils, parents and carers systematically in the planning and review of support. The proposed school has the knowledge needed to support pupils with SEND well. Paragraph 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii)  The intended personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) curriculum has the important content it should. For example, it covers how pupils will develop their understanding of the characteristics protected by law.  There is a suitable careers programme. This includes pupils having access to an independent careers adviser. The proprietor has plans for pupils to meet a range of

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Main inspection findings

providers such as at careers fairs. Paragraphs 2A(1) to 2A(2)  There is a suitable relationships and sex education (RSE) policy. That said, aspects of this needed to be amended during the inspection for it to comply with the independent school standards (the standards). Leaders have considered how to adapt the PSHE and RSE programme for pupils with SEND.  The standards in this part are unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The proprietor has established a meaningful programme for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. For example, it has considered how it will dovetail what pupils learn in PSHE with wider school activities such as assemblies. These activities should enhance pupils’ understanding of fundamental British values, for instance knowing right from wrong. The proposed school aims to ensure pupils experience a range of extra-curricular opportunities. As part of this, it has designed a school newspaper.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  Staff in the proposed school have the safeguarding experience required to keep pupils safe. Safeguarding leaders have suitable levels of safeguarding training and knowledge from the proprietor’s tutoring provision. The proprietor has, in most cases, considered how to apply this knowledge in a school context. The proprietor has ensured there will be sufficient safeguarding leadership on site throughout the school week. The proposed school knows the importance of prompt communication with outside agencies, such as the local authority designated officer.  The proposed school knows it will support vulnerable pupils. It has given careful thought to how it will mitigate the risks concerned. There will be a high focus on educating pupils about keeping safe, such as online risks. The proprietor has processes in place to check on any risky behaviours, for example through filtering

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Main inspection findings

software.  Staff will be supported with their safeguarding knowledge in a range of ways, for instance through staff drop-ins with the designated safeguarding lead. Staff will have regular training. There will be appropriate processes for staff to log concerns and a system to follow up on these. Paragraphs 9, 10, 14, 15  Leaders have relevant experience in supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. The behaviour and anti-bullying policies show the proprietor means to use therapeutic approaches to support pupils’ SEMH needs. In particular, the proposed school aims to adapt its approaches in the light of pupils’ experience of trauma. This is likely to identify and support needs that may underlie any challenging behaviours.  The proprietor understands how to use and review incidents of restraint appropriately. The proposed school articulates it means to use this as a last resort, if at all.

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Main inspection findings

 There are suitable plans for recording incidents and patterns of misbehaviour and absence. The systems intended for attendance and admissions should provide the information needed to meet the standards.  The proposed staffing ratios should mean pupils receive safe and consistent levels of supervision. Paragraphs 11 to 13, 16 to 16(b)  There is a suitable health and safety policy. The proposed school has identified a qualified external consultant for annual checks. However, there is no process in place for systematically monitoring health and safety. Currently, there have not been any checks on health and safety. The leaders responsible for daily and weekly checks on health and safety have not received the training to do these.  There is a fire risk assessment. However, this is for the whole building, not just the part that constitutes the school. The risk assessment pre-dates the building works the

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Main inspection findings

proprietor has undertaken. It does not consider current fire safety and risks for the school site.  There is a fire risk policy that states what should be in place. That said, important aspects of this are not. In particular, there are no fire extinguishers. Key staff, such as fire marshals, have not been identified and trained.  The first-aid equipment required on the school site was not there. For example, there are no first-aid boxes in place. The site does not have suitable first-aid signs, for example naming staff who are first aiders.  There is a risk assessment policy. However, specific risk assessments, which could be, have not been written. The samples of potential risk assessments the school provided lacked appropriate detail, such as dates for review.  The standards in this part are unlikely to be met.

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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) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c) to 21(6)  The proprietor clearly explained the system it will use for its single central record (SCR) if the proposed school is registered. The proprietor currently records vetting checks on an interim SCR. This shows it has made the vetting checks it should on new staff.  On the day of the inspection, the proprietor had not made section 128 checks on the proposed school’s leaders and chair of governors. These checks were completed by the end of the inspection.  Leaders have had safer recruitment training. Overall, the proposed school has a secure understanding of safer recruitment.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 26 to 29(1)(b)  The site is spacious and appropriate. The classrooms have enough internal lighting for learning, as well as plenty of natural light. There are suitable breakout spaces. The proprietor has ensured there are large and well-resourced spaces for food technology, design and technology, art and science. A large hall will be used as a cafeteria area where pupils can relax. There are ample spaces for staff rooms.  The site has sufficient and appropriate toilets. It has drinking water, water at suitable temperatures, showers and areas for changing. There is a medical room with a sink. Outside is an area where pupils can play and carry out physical education (PE). PE can also take place in the hall. While it meets the requirements of the standards, the outside area is somewhat cramped. The proprietor has plans to mitigate this by hiring

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Main inspection findings

other local spaces for PE, including at a nearby beach school. Paragraph 25  The proprietor has not put in place a systematic means of checking on the health and safety of the site. As stated above, there were no fire extinguishers or sufficient first- aid equipment.  The standards in this part are unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(ii) to 32(4)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that the required information is available for local authorities and parents. The proposed school understands its responsibilities to provide information to local authorities such as annual reviews. It has suitable plans to provide parents with regular reports on pupils’ learning and well-being.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  There is a suitable complaints policy. This gives details on how to lodge informal and formal complaints. The policy explains relevant timescales and the processes should there be a panel hearing.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  The proprietor has a clear and well-articulated rationale for starting the school. This is primarily for pupils currently educated other than at school to have more stable educational placements.  The proprietor has set in place a structure of governance. This involves the chair of governors and the chair of the proprietor body having regular communication with the proposed school’s leaders. However, there is no system in place for systematically checking on the school’s educational progress. The educational knowledge at the governance level is not as thorough as it might be. This means the right support and challenge are not in place. An example of this is regarding policies. When these are written, they have been shared with staff and put on the shadow website. Yet there has not been a robust process for discussing and ratifying them. As a result, the

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Main inspection findings

proposed school does not have the depth of understanding of its policies and procedures that it might. It does not always apply in practice what is written in its policies.  There has not been rigorous monitoring of how the school is likely to meet the standards. This has led to some standards being unlikely to be met during this inspection. The proposed school does not have a robust knowledge of the standards. On this inspection, several aspects of provision needed to be amended on the day for standards to be deemed likely to be met. This is in addition to those that have been deemed unlikely to be met. Paragraph 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has longstanding experience of supporting young people through its tutoring business. The proposed school has appropriate plans for supporting the needs and welfare of pupils.  The standards in this part are unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor has written a detailed accessibility plan. For example, this considers how to adapt the curriculum to support pupils with SEND.

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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 Learn and Prosper School Limited

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 7 to 14 7 to 14 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 32 32

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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 32

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 32

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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 32

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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 32

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this proposed school

 The proprietor is Learn and Prosper Ltd. It does not currently run any schools. The proprietor also has a company that offers tutoring provision for pupils who are educated other than at school. This is 1st Staff Ltd. 1st Staff Ltd has provided its services since 2014. It works with over 20 local authorities.  The proprietor seeks registration for the school with the Department for Education (DfE) as an independent special school to cater for pupils with a range of SEND. Pupils’ primary need will be SEMH. They may have a range of associated needs. Pupils will have an EHC plan.  The proprietor proposes to support pupils for key stages 2 and 3. After this, the aim is for pupils to move to another provision. This would typically be a mainstream or special school.  Local authorities will commission school placements.  The proposed school will not have a religious denomination.  The proprietor does not intend to use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE commissioned this pre-registration inspection to determine whether the proposed school is likely to meet the standards if permitted to open. This is the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector reviewed a wide range of documentation, including the proprietor’s single central record of pre-employment checks.  The inspector toured the proposed school’s premises.  The inspector met with the headteacher. The inspector held a remote meeting with the chair of the proprietor body and the proposed chair of governors.  The proposed school is not yet operating.

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Inspection team

Charlie Fordham, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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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(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and

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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].  13 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 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.

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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 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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