Penarth Group School

School material change inspection report

p.1

Penarth Group School 128 Reddish Road, South Reddish, Stockport, Cheshire SK5 7JG

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7 to 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is published on the website. The policy is regularly reviewed and reflects the most recent statutory guidance. The policy contains detailed information about the school’s approach to protecting pupils from harm as well as key information about the safeguarding team. Those responsible for leading and maintaining the culture of safeguarding have the additional training that they need to ensure that this is effective. Paragraphs 11, 12 and 16 to 16(b)  The health and safety policy reflects leaders’ high expectations for making the school a safe place for pupils to learn. There are well-thought-out systems in place for staff to report any site or maintenance issues that may arise. The proprietor ensures that the building remains suitable for the number and age range of pupils on roll. The

p.1

Main inspection findings

layout of the new building has been carefully considered with pupils’ needs at the forefront.  The school uses competent professionals to advise them on all aspects of fire safety. There are regular checks of the fire-fighting equipment and emergency lighting. Regular fire drills take place. The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The risk assessment policy clearly sets out leaders’ expectations for identifying and managing risks. Risk assessments are carried out on all aspects of the provision. These include careful consideration of pupils’ individual needs and are subject to regular reviews. There are systems in place to make sure that all staff know and understand the content of each risk assessment. Paragraph 14  Most of the additional staffing required is already in place. The school makes sure that pupils are always supervised by staff. The proposed number of additional staff is

p.1

Main inspection findings

appropriate should the material change be approved.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

p.1

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), 20(6) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c) to 21(6)  The single central record (SCR) is in place and includes all staff. The proprietor and other leaders make regular checks of the SCR to ensure it remains compliant. Records relating to the proprietor are included on the SCR, including those relating to suitability for leadership and management.  Key staff have had safer recruitment training. They have a secure knowledge of safeguarding within the recruitment process and how this protects pupils from harm. Leaders make sure that recruitment checks are completed before staff commence employment.  Agency staff are recorded on the SCR and the appropriate recruitment checks are completed. Leaders are familiar with the requirement for checks on staff who have spent time overseas.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 28(1) to 28(1)(d) and 28(2) to 28(2)(b)  The school premises are clean and tidy. The original building is on three floors and has access to an outside space. The new building is all on the ground floor and has been purpose designed and built with pupils’ needs in mind. The outside space is suitable for physical education (PE) and recreation.  There are appropriate toilet and washing facilities for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. All toilets are individual cubicles and lockable from the inside for privacy. Leaders regularly check that the water is set at a safe temperature. Drinking-water is provided for pupils and labelled throughout the buildings.  There are appropriate changing facilities for pupils when taking part in PE. Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  There is a suitable medical room. This includes a shower, toilet and sink. The medical

p.2

Main inspection findings

room contains a bed and a first-aid kit. There is lockable storage for medications and administration of first aid and medications is managed appropriately. Paragraphs 25 to 27(b)  The accommodation is well maintained. There is a programme of planned maintenance to make sure that the building remains fit for purpose. Sound and lighting are appropriate in both buildings. There is external lighting that allows for safe entry and exit in hours of darkness. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The school has recently upgraded the outdoor play area to include an all-weather surface. The amount of space in this area is suitable for the proposed increase in capacity.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has the relevant experience and knowledge of the standards to check compliance now and over time. Leaders make regular checks to ensure that each part of the standards remain compliant.  The headteacher and other senior staff have the relevant background and expertise to fulfil their responsibilities well. There are embedded systems in place to continually check not only compliance with the standards but the wider education provision across the school. Leaders at all levels share an ambition for continual improvement. For example, an external consultant is used to provide an additional layer of challenge.  The proprietor has thought carefully about how the increase in pupil numbers will be managed to maintain the high standards already in place.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the

p.3

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 ('the independent school standards') and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.

p.4

School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school's likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

p.5

School details

Email address headteacher@penarthgroup.co.uk

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25 to 27 April 2023

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 11 to 18 11 to 18

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 15 27 27

p.5

School's current position School's proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 15 27

p.5

School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 15 27

p.6

School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 15 27

p.6

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 15 27

p.6

School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 9 9

p.6

Information about this school

 The school’s previous inspection was on 25 to 27 April 2023.  All pupils who attend the school are pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. All have an education, health and care plan. The school predominantly provides education for pupils with complex learning needs and communication difficulties.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school is located at 128 Reddish Road, South Reddish, Stockport, Cheshire SK5 7JG. It is registered to admit up to 15 pupils.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned this material change inspection to evaluate the school’s likely compliance with the relevant standards if the DfE approves the proprietor’s request to increase its pupil capacity from 15 to 27.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of an increase of the school’s capacity since the school’s standard inspection in April 2023.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body who is also the chair of the governing body. She also met with senior leaders.  The inspector made a tour of the site to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant standards.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation and policies relevant to the material change request. These included health and safety, fire-safety and risk assessment

p.7

Information about this inspection

documentation. The inspector also checked documentation relating to safeguarding.

p.7

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 .

p.7

Inspection team

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.8

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 .

p.8

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.

p.8

Inspection team

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.8

Inspection team

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

p.8

Inspection team

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

p.8