Waterton Newstead Academy

School material change inspection report

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Waterton Newstead Academy Newstead Road, Athersley, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S71 3NA

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(i), 2A(1), 2A(1)(a), 2A(1)(d) to 2A(2), 3 to 4  The proprietor has applied to extend this school with bases on two other school sites. They have also applied to extend the age range to include provision for children aged four years old. The sites are currently in operation with an additional 35 pupils on the school roll. The site at Hammer Lane accommodates 20 pupils who are in Reception class and key stage 1. Some of these pupils are not statutory school age. The Hunningley Lane site accommodates 15 pupils who are in key stage 1 and 2.  The school has established an effective curriculum offer for the current age range. A recent full standard inspection of the school found that the curriculum is rich and broad.  The school is implementing an appropriate curriculum policy for the additional four- year-old children, which is supplemented with suitable schemes of work. The ‘pre-

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Main inspection findings

formal pathway’ is structured to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), teaching early language and communication skills.  The school already has an appropriate phonics scheme in place to support pupils with learning to read.  The school has prioritised staff training so that all adults who are new to the school understand the specific needs of the pupils and how to support them.  The two additional school sites are well resourced with equipment and materials to support learning.  Leaders have ensured that there is an effective transition programme in place. This supports pupils’ transition into the school. The school has systems in place to communicate effectively with parents and carers. The school’s current assessment processes are well established and consider targets from education, health and care plans. These include the views of parents and pupils. These systems apply across the

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Main inspection findings

proposed additional year group.  The curriculum across all phases is designed to support pupils’ wider development and their understanding of fundamental British values.  There are robust monitoring procedures where information is used to inform the school’s professional development and staff training programme.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The existing curriculum gives careful consideration to pupils’ personal development. It supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The school has extended the curriculum with appropriate materials for the additional age group.  The school’s personal development programme ensures that pupils are prepared to be successful in the community. There are opportunities for pupils to benefit from off-site

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Main inspection findings

visits and community interactions.  Members of staff encourage pupils to reflect on feelings, recognise right and wrong, understand fairness and show kindness and respect for others.  The school parliament gives pupils a voice and allows them to learn about democratic processes and collaborative work.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1)(c)  The school’s written safeguarding policy is comprehensive and up to date. It shows due regard for the current guidance from the Secretary of State. The proprietor has shared the policy with staff and published it on the school’s website.  The proprietor has implemented effective safeguarding systems and processes to ensure the protection and well-being of pupils. The school ensures that staff receive

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Main inspection findings

appropriate training and have a clear understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities.  The curriculum includes a strong focus on teaching pupils how to stay safe in the wider world, with particular emphasis on relationships and consent. The proprietor also ensures that the school responds appropriately to any safeguarding risks that may arise in the local community.  The designated safeguarding lead and their team have completed appropriate and up to-date training, equipping them well for their roles. When necessary, they work effectively with external agencies to ensure that pupils receive timely and appropriate support. The school maintains detailed records of all safeguarding actions taken, which clearly demonstrate the promptness and thoroughness of its responses to concerns. These safeguarding processes are well established, and staff follow them consistently and with diligence.  The recruitment and selection procedures for new staff are appropriate. These

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Main inspection findings

procedures help to ensure that staff appointed to the school are suitable to work with pupils. All new staff receive appropriate safeguarding training as part of their induction. Paragraphs 11, 16 to 16(b)  The school’s written health and safety policy takes account of current legislation. The proprietor routinely checks that fire detection systems on the school’s sites are suitably maintained and effective. Leaders have up-to-date certificates for the required health and safety checks on the two extended school sites. Other checks include the suitability of the fixed electrical installation on each site and portable appliance testing. These checks have been carried out by competent and qualified persons.  The school’s risk assessments are thorough and well maintained. Site-specific assessments identify relevant risks and provide clear strategies to mitigate these. Individual pupil risk assessments are carefully written and provide guidance for

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Main inspection findings

members of staff to support pupils to access the full range of school provision safely. These documents are reviewed regularly and amended accordingly. Paragraph 12  The school buildings are fully compliant with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire exits, signage and extinguishers are clearly marked and appropriately located throughout the school buildings and outdoor learning areas. To further ensure compliance and safety, the proprietor has commissioned an external agency to conduct a detailed fire risk assessment of the premises at each of the sites. The one recommended action noted in the external report has been implemented. Paragraph 14  The school has already increased the number of pupils on roll. Leaders have increased staffing numbers. Teachers, teaching assistants and midday supervisors are deployed appropriately to provide effective supervision for the pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 The standards relating to pupils’ welfare, health and safety checked at this material change inspection are likely to be met. 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(4), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)  The single central record is in place. It meets all of the statutory requirements. The proprietor demonstrates a secure understanding of the need to keep this record up to date. It is audited on a regular basis. Leaders also ensure that they complete all suitability checks before a member of staff takes up their appointment at the school.  The proprietor has completed all the required checks on those persons who hold a leadership and management position in the school.  The proprietor has used appropriate procedures to recruit additional staff to support the increase in the number of pupils on roll.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor demonstrates a secure knowledge of the appropriate checks that must be completed for any member of staff who has lived or worked outside of the United Kingdom. These checks have been undertaken when necessary.  Leaders are aware of the procedures that they should follow if they employ agency staff or accept volunteers in school. Currently, the school does not use volunteers.  The standards relating to the suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)(a) to 23(1)(b), 24(1) to 24(2), 25, 26, 27(a) to 27(b), 28(1) to 28(2)(b), 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The school’s additional capacity is located at two different sites. Both bases are adjacent to other schools within the proprietor group. They have secure access and are enclosed by fencing to function as an independent site.  The proprietor has ensured that the buildings used by the school are maintained to a

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Main inspection findings

high standard.  First aid kits and spillage kits are available in all the class bases used by pupils and the first aid rooms.  Toilet facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils on all school sites. Toilets are accessible to pupils throughout the day and equipped with suitable locks. Separate toilet facilities are available for adults. Both additional sites have appropriate toilet facilities for pupils and adults who may have disabilities. Toilets and washing facilities have hot and cold running water. The hot water does not pose a scalding risk to users.  Pupils have access to drinking water throughout the school day. This is supplied through clearly labelled taps in the kitchen area of each of the two additional sites.  The acoustic conditions of classrooms are suitable for the activities that take place in them. The classrooms provide sufficient space for the current numbers of pupils on

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Main inspection findings

roll, which is the same as the proposed capacity increase included in the material change request.  Lighting in all rooms is of an acceptable standard and suitable for pupils’ learning. External lighting is in place to provide safe access and exit from each of the school’s sites during the hours of darkness.  Pupils have access to outdoor space on all of the school’s sites. This space is suitable for recreational activities and the delivery of the physical education curriculum.  The standards relating to the premises and accommodation of the school are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and other leaders have a clear vision for the school. The rationale for the material change is to allow more pupils with SEND from the locality to benefit from a positive experience in education.  The proprietor and school leaders are experienced in providing education for pupils

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Main inspection findings

with SEND. They have recruited new members of staff with relevant expertise in early years education and SEND.  The proprietor and school leaders have an in-depth understanding of the independent school standards. There are appropriate procedures to check compliance and robust layers of accountability through the trust officers, trustees and external audits.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan fulfils the school’s statutory responsibilities. The proprietor has ensured that the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 are met. Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  Leaders demonstrate a detailed understanding of all the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory requirements.  They ensure that children access all the areas of learning and assess them against the

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Main inspection findings

early learning goals.  The proposed school is likely to comply with all the learning and development and safeguarding and welfare requirements of the EYFS.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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.

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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 compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Email address admin@watertonacademytrust.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 2 to 4 July 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 11 4 to 11 4 to 11

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 39 65 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 62 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 65 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 65 65

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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 65 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 10

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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 school

 The school operates from its premises in Newstead Road, Athersley, Barnsley, S71 3NA and two further bases at Hammer Lane, Sharlston WF4 1DH and Hunningley Lane, Barnsley S70 3DT.  The school provides full-time education for pupils with an education, health and care plan where the primary need is communication and interaction, including pupils with autism. Places are commissioned at this school by the local authority.  Up to 30 pupils are accommodated at the Newstead site. Twenty pupils are on roll and attending the Hammer Lane base. Fifteen are on roll and attending the Hunningley Lane provision.  The school is part of Waterton Academy Trust. The trust comprises 14 schools. Thirteen of these schools are mainstream settings, with this being the only independent special school.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school’s most recent standard inspection took place from 2 to 4 July 2024.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, to check the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the proposed change to increase to 65 the maximum number of pupils that the school is permitted to have on roll, including at two proposed additional sites. The school also proposed to change the age range of pupils to accommodate four year olds.  This was the school’s first material change inspection for this proposed change.  The Department for Education commissioned the inspectors to inspect the suitability of the school’s provision in relation to: the quality of education; spiritual, moral and cultural development of pupils; policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment; supervision of pupils; recruitment of staff; the suitability of the premises and accommodation and the quality of

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Information about this inspection

leadership and management.  The inspectors met with the headteacher and several senior leaders, officers from the trust central team and some newly appointed members of staff.  The lead inspector met with a representative of the proprietor body and the chief executive officer.  The inspectors visited the two proposed sites and observed pupils and staff interacting. The inspectors considered school documentation in relation to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment. The lead inspector looked at the school’s single central record and the system for undertaking checks on new staff.

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Inspection team

Mary Cook, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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