Illuminate You

School pre-registration inspection report

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Illuminate You George Henderson Lodge, Front Street, West Lindsey, Morton, Lincolnshire DN21 3AA

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(h) to 2(2)(i)  The proposed school will cater for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties who struggle to access mainstream education. It is anticipated that many will be pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  The curriculum is ambitious. It is broad and balanced. It includes core and foundation subjects, life skills and project-based learning. It is designed with pupils’ needs in mind to support their academic, emotional, social and vocational development.  The intended curriculum is underpinned by clear schemes of work. Plans set out key learning from Year 7 to Year 11. There is a strong emphasis on preparing pupils for adulthood, further education, employment and independent living. Pupils will have the opportunity to gain accreditations.  The school will also offer a therapeutic curriculum led by experts. Pupils’ personal

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Main inspection findings

development needs will be assessed. This information will be used to devise individual plans for pupils to support them to develop emotional competence. Paragraphs 2(2)(d) to 2(2)e(iii), 2A(1), 2A(1)(b) to 2A(2)  The personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum is aligned with statutory guidance. It is age appropriate and covers health and well-being, consent and healthy relationships. Pupils will also learn about the diverse nature of society.  PSHE will be taught regularly. Aspects of PSHE will be woven into the curriculum and will include community projects. This approach is likely to prepare pupils effectively for life in modern Britain.  The PSHE curriculum will include units, such as, ‘Life and work’ and ‘Experiences of the workplace’. These units are linked to the Gatsby Benchmarks and provide pupils with the opportunity to consider future careers. Additional careers advice and guidance will be tailored to the individual needs and interests of pupils.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 3 to 4  The school has already appointed a number of experienced staff. These staff provide specialist knowledge in curriculum development, reading, SEND and a therapeutic approach to education. Leaders are committed to recruiting further staff, who can successfully meet the needs of all pupils.  The school will provide a thorough programme of professional learning for all staff. It is intended that this programme will be tailored to the needs of individual staff. This will ensure that they have secure subject and pedagogical knowledge. Training will also ensure that staff are well placed to manage pupils’ behaviour, including more challenging behaviour.  Leaders have carefully considered how they will meet the needs of pupils that attend. There is an appropriate assessment policy in place. Assessment information will be used to match learning to each pupil’s needs. A personalised learning programme will

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Main inspection findings

be devised. This will identify pupils’ needs and include the best ways to support each pupil to progress through the curriculum.  The inspectors visited two lessons during the inspection. During these lessons, a personalised curriculum was being taught, tailored to individual needs.  This information will also be used to provide parents and carers with plenty of information about the progress their child is making. This will include termly reports and regular parent and teacher meetings.  Classrooms are bright and attractive. The school has purchased a range of resources to support the implementation of the curriculum. At the main site, a sensory room is in place to provide pupils with a quiet space to help manage their feelings.  The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards (the standards) in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school’s social, moral, spiritual and cultural offer is well thought out. It is well integrated across its curriculum, policies and wider provision.  The school will prioritise establishing positive relationships with pupils. The school’s therapeutic approach is designed to provide pupils with a caring and responsive environment that will allow them to learn well. Pupils will be supported to develop their self-esteem and confidence through a restorative approach, peer mentoring and mental health support.  Pupils will learn right from wrong. The curriculum will provide opportunities for pupils to develop respect for others, including public institutions and services. The school intends to establish positive relationships with the local community and police and emergency services. The school has already provided members of the local

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Main inspection findings

community with information about the school’s work and invited them on site to find out more about the school’s provision.  Fundamental British values will be actively promoted across the curriculum. Through the curriculum, pupils will learn about a range of beliefs and cultures. They will learn about the importance of equality, including protected characteristics.  Pupils will be provided with the chance to develop their personal talents and interests through enrichment activities in the arts, music and sport.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  The school has established clear systems and policies to keep children safe from harm. The safeguarding policy is comprehensive. Leaders are clear about their safeguarding responsibilities. A designated safeguarding lead and deputy safeguarding lead have been identified. They have completed the necessary training to fulfil their roles. Their safeguarding knowledge and experience leave them well placed to lead this vital aspect of the school’s work.  Safeguarding training for all staff is prioritised and is a key part of the induction programme provided for all new staff. There are systems in place for staff to report and record their concerns. The designated safeguarding lead will have oversight of the concerns raised and will provide advice and support for staff to ensure that the right action is taken.  Leaders understand the additional vulnerabilities that pupils may present with. They

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Main inspection findings

plan to provide additional training with the school’s context in mind. The school has appropriate risk assessments in place and will write individual risk assessments for each pupil. These will include a safeguarding element.  The curriculum will ensure that pupils have plenty of opportunities to learn about how to keep themselves safe, including when online. Paragraphs 9 to 9(c), 10  The school has identified a clear therapeutic approach to managing pupils’ behaviour. A knowledgeable member of staff will lead this work and provide suitable training for staff. Staff will be trained to manage complex behaviour and in how to use physical intervention as a last resort. The school’s behaviour policy reflects this agreed approach.  Behaviour incidents will be recorded on the school’s system. This will allow leaders to analyse the information provided and understand pupils’ behaviour. In turn, they will

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Main inspection findings

offer further support to pupils to help them to manage their emotions. Paragraphs 11 to 15  The school has written an appropriate health and safety policy and first-aid policy. However, these policies are not yet fully implemented.  Staff will receive training to ensure that they fulfil their roles.  Across both sites the school buildings and outside spaces are well maintained. While the work to ensure that they have the necessary facilities to educate pupils is complete on the main site, this is not the case at the additional site. At this site, the building is not ready for use. The permissions needed to open as a school have been requested but have not yet been granted for the additional site. In addition, while a fire risk assessment has been undertaken, the resultant report that confirms the building at the additional site is compliant with fire safety has not been received.  The proposed staffing structure will provide sufficient supervision for the proposed

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Main inspection findings

number on roll.  Leaders will ensure that attendance and admission registers comply with statutory requirements. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)  An appropriate risk assessment policy is in place. This policy sets out how the school intends to identify and mitigate risk. A standardised template is used, including identifying hazards, who is at risk of harm, how to evaluate risks, record findings and when to review and update documents.  At the main school site, the risk assessments completed evidence leaders’ ability to spot and address potential risks. These risk assessments are wide ranging and relevant. However, potential risks at the additional site have not yet been identified and risk assessments are not in place.  The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part.

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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), 19(1) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(6)  The school has clear systems and policies in place for the safer recruitment of staff.  The single central record is in place. Leaders understand their duty to carry out the necessary recruitment checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. They know which checks need to be made for all staff before the school opens.  The school has made the statutory checks required for members of the proprietor body and school leaders.  The school does not currently use supply staff. However, leaders are aware of the checks that need to be made for such staff and that they need to be included on the school’s single central record.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(2)  Work has taken place to refurbish both sites to ensure that the buildings are appropriate and inviting for pupils to learn and socialise in. At the main site, this work is completed to a high standard. This work is ongoing at the additional site and is not yet completed.  Both sites provide toilet and washing facilities that are suitable for the age of pupils, including showering facilities.  Suitable medical rooms have been set up at both sites for the accommodation and examination or treatment of sick or injured pupils. These rooms include access to a toilet and washing facility. Paragraphs 26 to 29(1)(b)  At both sites, classrooms are bright and airy. External lighting is provided to ensure that pupils, staff and visitors can leave the site safely when it is dark outside. The acoustics in each room are suitable.  Pupils have access to outdoor spaces that will allow them to exercise and socialise.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has ensured that pupils can access drinking water that is clearly marked as such. Toilets have adequate hot and cold water. The hot water does not pose a risk of scalding to users. Paragraph 25  At present, the additional site is not completed to a standard where the health and safety of pupils can be assured. For example, building works continue to ensure that the building is ready for use. Equipment and resources are not yet in place. While a fire risk assessment has recently been carried out, leaders have yet to receive the report to establish that the additional site is compliant with the Fire Safety order. Risk assessments have yet to be carried out on the additional site to identify and mitigate any risks associated with these premises. Leaders have not obtained the necessary permissions to be able to use this additional site as a school.  Leaders anticipate that this work will be completed in the coming weeks. They also

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Main inspection findings

anticipate that the necessary permissions needed to open this additional site will be provided in a similar timescale.  The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part.

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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), 32(2)(d) to 32(3)(g)  The school has a website in place linked to the Illuminate Care Group Limited website.  The website provides the policies and other information as required by the standards. This includes contact details of the headteacher and the proprietor. Further information relating to admissions, behaviour, health and safety, the complaints process and the school’s ethos is readily available.  Leaders intend to provide parents with an annual report that details the progress that their child has made.  The school understands their responsibility to provide local authorities with information regarding how they have used the funding provided for pupils.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s complaints policy is appropriate. Parents are encouraged to raise any concerns early. The policy sets out the process for both informal and formal complaints. There are clear timescales for the response that parents will receive.  Parents who do not believe that their concerns have been satisfactorily resolved can request a panel hearing with an independent chair.  Leaders will keep written records of the complaints received and the action the school has taken.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  Leaders have a clear rationale for the purpose of the school. They are committed to meeting the needs of pupils with SEND and providing them with a high-quality education in a nurturing environment.  Leaders bring a wide range of expertise to their roles. They have appointed staff who

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Main inspection findings

will offer much to the smooth running of the school. They understand their statutory responsibilities with regards to safeguarding and equality.  Nevertheless, leaders have not ensured that the standards are consistently met. This relates entirely to an application to the Department for Education (DfE) to open the school before all the necessary work was completed. As a result, leaders do not fully demonstrate the skills and knowledge they need. The absence of the necessary permission and documentation in relation to the additional site means that it cannot be concluded that leaders are actively promoting the well-being of pupils.  The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan meets statutory requirements. It sets out the ways in which the school will improve accessibility to the curriculum, the physical environment and to improve the delivery of information.  The school is likely to meet the regulation in this part.

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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 Illuminate Care Group Limited

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £21,450 to £46,800

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Proposed school details

Website www.illuminatecaregroup.co.uk/education

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Proposed school details

Email address jon@illuminatecaregroup.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 1 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 18

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 18

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Pupils

School’s current position School’s proposal Inspector’s recommendation Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 Not applicable Number of pupils on the school roll 1 20 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Girls Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 0 Up to 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 1 Up to 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 Up to 20

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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 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 4 10

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Information about this proposed school

 The proprietor of the proposed school is Illuminate Care Group Limited.  The proposed school will be based on two sites. One, the main site, is at George Henderson Lodge, Front Street, West Lindsey, Morton, Lincolnshire DN21 3AD. This is the site at which the school is registered. The second, additional site is located at The Hideaway, 12A Weldon Road, Hemswell, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 5UG. These two sites are eight miles apart.  The school will accommodate up to 20 pupils aged 11 to 16 years. It will provide education for pupils who have social, emotional or mental health needs. Many of the pupils will be pupils with SEND and may have an education, health and care plan.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection. It was commissioned by the DfE to determine whether the proposed school is likely to meet the independent school standards if it is given permission to open.  Inspectors met the co-chairs of the proprietor body. They also held meetings with the head of education, the headteacher and leaders with responsibility for safeguarding.  The lead inspector completed tours of both proposed school sites to check the premises against Part 5 of the standards. She also met with leaders to discuss the school’s health and safety arrangements.  Inspectors checked the procedures in place for the recruitment of staff for the proposed school and the arrangements for safeguarding pupils.  Inspectors reviewed a wide range of documents and policies, including those relating to the curriculum, behaviour, health and safety, and safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Caroline Poole, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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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].  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 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 – 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 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.

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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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