PANDA Schools

School pre-registration inspection report

p.1

PANDA Schools 75 Captains Lane, Bootle L30 9SY

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  There is an appropriate curriculum policy in place. It shows that pupils will learn a range of subjects that meets the breadth requirement of the independent school standards (the standards). The proprietor has given careful consideration to pupils’ spiritual, moral social and cultural (SMSC) education.  There are suitable plans and schemes of work in place for each subject for the full age range that the proposed school intends to admit. Within the plans, the proprietor has set out the most important knowledge that pupils need to know and remember.  The proprietor has given thought to the needs of pupils who may join the school when planning the curriculum. The curriculum design and how the curriculum may be adapted has been considered with pupils’ individual needs in mind.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has put in place a personal, social, health and economic education curriculum that teachers can adapt to meet pupils’ emerging needs, including where pupils may have substantial gaps in their previous education. There is a suitable careers programme in place that prepares pupils well for their next steps when they come to leave the school. Paragraphs 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d) to 2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3)  The proprietor has set out plans for relationships and sex education (RSE) that meet the requirements of the statutory guidance. There are plans in place to give parents and carers information about the content of the curriculum. The information that the proprietor intends to share with parents is enough for them to make an informed decision about whether to withdraw their child from the non-statutory aspects of RSE. Paragraph 3, 3(a) to 3(j)  The chairs of the proprietor body are also the joint headteachers of the school. They

p.1

Main inspection findings

both have the relevant background and experience of designing learning to meet the needs of pupils with similar needs to those that the proposed school intends to admit.  The proprietor has given consideration to how teachers will adapt learning to meet pupils’ needs. There are resources in place to support the effective adaptation of lesson design to meet the wide range of needs of pupils who may attend the proposed school. Paragraph 4  The proprietor intends to complete comprehensive assessments of pupils’ academic and emotional development on entry to the proposed school. It has thought about how this information will be used to design appropriate learning. In addition, pupils’ development will be closely monitored as they move through the school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The proposed school’s curriculum gives consideration to how pupils’ SMSC development will be supported. Pupils will learn about different faiths, cultures and religions. This will be supported by trips to local places of interest as well as a range of visitors to the school.  The proprietor has thought about the promotion of the fundamental British values through the design of the curriculum and the intended school ethos. For example, pupils will learn about mutual respect and being tolerant of others who may be different.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b)  The proprietor has an in-depth knowledge of its statutory responsibilities for safeguarding. An appropriate member of staff will be the designated safeguarding lead as the proprietors are also the joint headteachers of the school. There is an appropriate schedule of training in place to make sure that all staff have a shared understanding of the proprietor’s expectations for how pupils will be kept safe.  The safeguarding policy reflects the most up-to-date statutory guidance and is published on the school’s website. Systems, procedures and training have been carefully considered to reflect the additional vulnerabilities that pupils at the proposed school may have.  There is a chair of governors in place with the safeguarding knowledge and expertise to effectively check on the culture of safeguarding. Paragraphs 9 to 9(c), 10  There is a suitable behaviour and anti-bullying policy in place. There are clear systems

p.2

Main inspection findings

for recording any incidents of poor behaviour as well as sanctions. The policy is inclusive and demonstrates the proprietor’s knowledge of the types of needs of pupils who may attend the proposed school. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13, 16 to 16(b)  The proprietor has put in place a suitable health and safety policy. It uses competent professionals to service the firefighting equipment as well as advise about other aspects of fire safety. This ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  There is a suitable first-aid policy in place. The number of staff who will receive first- aid training is appropriate for the proposed number of pupils the school intends to admit.  The proprietor uses its strong knowledge and background of supporting pupils with special educational need and/or disabilities (SEND) to design suitable risk assessments. These range from individual risk assessments for pupils to risk

p.2

Main inspection findings

assessments for the use of local facilities for physical education. The risk assessment policy outlines the proprietor’s expectations for how risks will be identified and mitigated. Paragraph 14  The school’s proposed staffing structure allows for the safe supervision of pupils both on site and when pupils are learning off site. The proprietor has set out its intention to appoint staff with the relevant experience of supporting pupils with SEND. Paragraph 15  There is a suitable admissions and attendance policy in place. The proprietor has set up systems and procedures for recording attendance as well as actions for when pupils do not attend.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

p.3

Main inspection findings

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(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  An electronic single central record (SCR) is in place. The proprietor is aware of the essential checks required for staff who join the proposed school. It understands the importance of recruitment checks being completed before staff commence employment.  The proposed school’s planned training programme for new staff has a central focus on safeguarding to make sure that any new staff share the proprietor’s high expectations for keeping pupils safe. Although the proprietor does not intend to use agency staff, it is aware of the requirement to complete the relevant recruitment checks if this did happen.  The SCR has been set up to record any overseas background checks for staff, should they be required.

p.3

Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

p.4

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 25, 26, 27 to 27(b), 28(1) to 28(1)(d), 28(2) to 28(2)(b), 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The proposed school is set in a single storey building with some shared community use. The shared community use will cease fully during times that the proposed school is open and there has been careful consideration about the shared use of the building by the proprietor.  The proprietor has thought carefully about how the building will be used with the potential needs of pupils who may join the proposed school in mind. For example, there are secure outdoor spaces that can be used for reflection.  There are separate toilet facilities for staff and pupils. Toilet cubicles are lockable from the inside. The proprietor checks that hot water is set at a safe temperature. Drinking water is labelled and will be available to pupils throughout the school day.

p.4

Main inspection findings

 There is an appropriate medical room, which contains a toilet and a sink. The room contains storage for medication as well as suitable first-aid supplies.  There are two separate outdoor areas for pupils to use. These will be used at social times. Physical education will take place off site. This has been arranged with a local facility and the proprietor has checked the suitability and safety of the venue, including the changing facilities.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

p.4

Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(3)(g)  The proposed school’s website contains all of the required policies and information about the school’s intended culture and ethos. Contact details for the proprietor are also published on its website. There are parts of the website where the proprietor will publish inspection reports as well as public examination results.  The proprietor has templates for termly updates for parents about pupils’ progress.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

p.4

Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33 to 33(k)  The proposed school’s complaints policy sets out with clarity the process for making a complaint. This includes each stage of the complaints process with timescales. The proprietor also makes it clear what complainants can expect at each stage and how to escalate concerns where relevant.  The complaints policy is published on the school’s website.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

p.4

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has made sure that the proposed school is ready to open. Since the previous pre-registration inspection, the proprietor has worked with others to ensure that it has a secure understanding of the requirements of the standards. The proprietor has the knowledge, background and expertise of supporting pupils with SEND to carefully consider the offer in place should the school open.  The proprietor has given careful consideration to how it will check ongoing compliance with the standards. It has set up a governing body with a range of experience across the breadth of the standards. The governing body has the knowledge and skills to hold the proprietor to account for the quality of education that pupils will receive at the school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted

p.5

Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor has written a suitable accessibility plan.  The proposed school is likely to meet the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.7

Proposed school details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.7

Proposed school details

Proprietor Merseyside SEND Partnership Limited

p.7

Proposed school details

Chairs Peter Kennedy and Anthony Leatherbarrow

p.7

Proposed school details

Headteachers Peter Kennedy and Anthony Leatherbarrow

p.7

recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 16 12

p.8

recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  The building is suitable for a maximum of 12 pupils at this point so that the proprietor can determine the likely range of SEND needs that pupils may have when they join the school. This will also help the proprietor to consider fully how each space in the building will be used effectively.

p.8

School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 16

p.8

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

p.8

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 16

p.8

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable 16

p.8

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 16

p.8

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 5

p.9

Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school will operate from premises at 75 Captains Lane, Bootle L30 9SY.  It is intended that the proposed school will cater for pupils with SEND, such as autism and/or moderate learning difficulties. It is expected that all pupils will have an education, health and care plan.  The proprietor is Merseyside SEND Partnership Limited. The company is registered with Companies House. There are two directors. There is a governing body in place.  The proprietor does not intend to use any alternative provision.

p.9

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to determine if the school is likely to meet the standards if the DfE registers the school.  This was the school’s second pre-registration inspection. The first pre-registration inspection took place on 19 February 2025.  The inspector held discussions with members of the proprietor body as well as the chair of governors. The two chairs of the proprietor body are also the joint headteachers of the school.  The inspector made a tour of the site to check the suitability and safety of the premises.  The inspector scrutinised and evaluated a wide range of documents provided by the school, including safeguarding information, statutory policies and the proposed school’s curriculum.

p.10

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.10

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.11

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.11

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.11

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.11

Inspection team

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

p.11

Inspection team

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

p.11