Dudley Port School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Dudley Port School Dudley Port School, Station Drive, Tipton, Dudley Port, West Midlands DY4 7QR

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(i), 3 to 3(e) and 3(g)  The previous standard inspection in October 2024 and progress monitoring inspection in April 2025 identified that the curriculum in some subjects lacked clarity. The school had not identified the precise knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn. The curriculum was not effectively implemented and assessment not used as well as it could have been.  New senior leaders have begun to redesign the curriculum. This means that the curriculum is currently undergoing some significant changes. For example, the school has introduced new qualifications and new subjects. However, the current curriculum does not make clear enough what precisely teachers should teach and pupils should learn. As a result, pupils continue to not learn as well as they should.  Many pupils join the school with significant gaps in their learning. The curriculum and

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Main inspection findings

schemes of work do not take sufficient account of this. Pupils often attempt work that is too challenging for them because they have not secured the prior knowledge needed. Staff do not quickly spot what gaps pupils have and, consequently, learning slows.  The checks that teachers complete on what pupils know and can do are not effective in identifying what learning pupils have missed. Additionally, teaching does not take sufficient account of pupils’ needs. When this happens, pupils are not supported as well as they could be. For example, it is not uncommon for staff to complete work for pupils as opposed to teaching them how to do the work independently. This hampers pupils’ learning.  Pupils who are at the early stages of reading generally receive support to help them become fluent readers. However, the school’s reading support programme is not consistently implemented across the whole school. As a result, some pupils do not

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Main inspection findings

receive the swift help they need to become confident readers.  These independent school standards (the standards) continue to be unmet. Paragraph 3(f)  Teaching resources and lesson support materials, especially for new qualifications, are not as well developed as they could be. They do not help pupils to grasp learning as well as they should. This means that pupils often complete simple tasks without gaining precise knowledge. This slows pupils’ learning.  This standard is now unmet. Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(h)  The school’s curriculum currently does not provide pupils with experiences in the seven areas of learning as specified by the standards. This is because a number of subjects that were offered last academic year have been removed from the curriculum and others added. For example, currently, pupils do not gain experiences in scientific education.  Pupils do not learn the intended curriculum well because they do not have the

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Main inspection findings

opportunity to learn across a full suite of subjects. As a result, pupils do not do as well as they are capable of.  These standards are now unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(b), 5(b)(ii) and 5(b)(iii)  Pupils experience a clear programme to support their personal development. This work heavily focuses on ensuring that pupils are well prepared for adulthood. The school places strong emphasis on pupils making the right choices and taking right and wrong actions. This work supports pupils well for later life.  Pupils learn about appropriate and inappropriate behaviours especially in the wider community and world of work. They enjoy these lessons and keenly show what they can do and have learned during off-site visits, for example.  The standards continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 7 to 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  During this inspection, inspectors thoroughly reviewed safeguarding practices in place at the school. Inspectors did not find any evidence to substantiate the safeguarding concerns raised in the complaints received about the school prior to the start of the inspection.  The school’s safeguarding policy adheres to current government guidance as issued by the Secretary of State. It is published on the school’s website. Copies are provided to parents and carers upon request. The policy is implemented effectively.  The school has a strong safeguarding culture. Staff quickly get to know their pupils and families, which helps them to identify any challenges pupils may have. They demonstrate high levels of vigilance and are alert to signs that a pupil may need help. Staff receive up-to-date training and know what to do if they are concerned about a pupil. Leaders

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Main inspection findings

work well with external agencies when necessary to ensure that pupils and their families receive the help that they need.  These standards continue to be met. Paragraph 10 to 12 and 14  The school’s anti-bullying policy is implemented well. Staff and pupils are clear about what bullying is and how to report it. Pupils say that bullying is rare and the school’s records confirm this. Pupils are confident that staff will deal well with any incidents should they arise.  The school’s health and safety policies are clear and fit for purpose. The school refers to up-to-date guidance and demonstrates a good understanding of the statutory guidance for keeping children safe in education. These policies are implemented effectively.  The proprietor ensures that regular fire risk assessments are carried out by suitable professionals. The school acts quickly and effectively to put any recommendations in place to ensure pupils are safe.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has recently employed additional support staff to further strengthen the pupil to staff ratio. Pupils are adequately supervised throughout the day, including at social times and during off-site activities. The most vulnerable pupils have one-to-one supervision throughout the whole school day.  These standards continue to be met. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  The risk assessment policy is fit for purpose and implemented well. The school ensures that potential risks are identified and mitigated against. Examples of risk assessments show that the school considers risks prior to any activities and identifies actions to ensure pupils are safe.  All pupils have individual risk assessments to help staff meet pupils’ specific needs. Some pupils have key workers, which further supports the building of strong professional relationships.  These standards continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  At the time of the previous standard inspection and progress monitoring inspection, it was found that the proprietor and leaders did not ensure that all the standards were met consistently. Leaders did not demonstrate the knowledge and skills to ensure the independent school standards were securely met.  Since then, the proprietor has employed a new headteacher, deputy headteacher and numerous new staff to strengthen the staff body of the school. The company’s regional director continues to support senior leaders during their induction time. As a result, there is now a clear vision for the school, a strong focus on pupils’ achievement and well- being. However, the planned improvement work has not been implemented due to the very limited time since leaders commenced their roles. The quality of education pupils receive has not improved and pupils continue to not learn as well as they should.

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Main inspection findings

 These standards continue not to be met. Paragraph 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and leaders work effectively to actively promote the well-being of pupils.  This standard continues to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an accessibility plan that fulfils the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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 of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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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.

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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

Proprietor Horizon Care and Education Group

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £66,441 to £110,000

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School details

Email address craig.seretny@horizoncare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 1 to 3 October 2024

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Information about this school

 Dudley Port School is an independent day school. It offers up to 30 places for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. A range of local authorities place pupils in the school.  The school is part of the Horizon Care and Education Group.  There have been some significant staff changes since the last progress monitoring inspection in April 2025. This includes a new headteacher and deputy headteacher.  Inspectors were aware during this inspection of several complaints about the school. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate individual complaints, inspectors gathered evidence around the wider issues the complaints gave rise to, to inform inspectors’ evaluations.  The school’s last standard inspection took place in October 2024 where it was judged to require improvements.  The school currently uses three unregistered alternative provisions.

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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.  The inspection scope was broadened by the registration authority to include additional independent school standards beyond those that were previously unmet at the time of the previous inspection. This was because of several complaints received about the school.  This progress monitoring inspection was carried out without notice.  This was the school’s second monitoring inspection since its last standard inspection in October 2024, when it was judged requires improvement.  The school was required to prepare an action plan as a result of non-compliance with the standards following the last progress monitoring inspection in April 2025. The proposed

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Information about this inspection

action plan was evaluated as not acceptable in July 2025.  The inspectors met with the headteacher, deputy headteacher, pastoral leader and other school leaders. The inspectors met with the company’s regional director, who provides some leadership support for new senior leaders. The lead inspector held a virtual meeting with the managing director from the proprietor body.  Inspectors spoke with staff who were on site during the inspection, including teaching and support staff.  The inspectors checked the school’s curriculum policy and subject plans. They visited a sample of lessons and spoke to pupils about their learning.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors: reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; scrutinised documents and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspectors spoke to pupils that were present during the inspection to gather their views about the school.

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Inspection team

Bianka Zemke, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector

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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

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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; – 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 with an EHC plan  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(b) fosters in pupils self-motivation, the application of intellectual, physical and creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

management of class time; – 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(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught; – 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

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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

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are – – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education; – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range 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 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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