Woodside School

School material change inspection report

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Woodside School 25 Ravensdale Avenue, London N12 9HP

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12, 16 to 16(b)  On the day of the last inspection, the school had still not made satisfactory arrangements to address the shutter doors to the adjoining church. As a result, the school could not restrict visitors to the church and the general public from obtaining unsupervised access to the school building. The school had not appropriately identified the risks associated with the premises sharing its site with a church. These issues have all been addressed. The school has a risk assessment policy in place. The school has developed several new risk assessments in response to the areas identified at the first material change inspection. There is a robust procedure in place to ensure that all visitors to the school can only obtain access to the building when agreed by school staff. They will always be supervised and will need to sign in and follow the

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Main inspection findings

school’s safeguarding policies. All access points to the adjoining church are now locked, and only school leaders have access to the keys. The school has also obtained a written agreement with the members of the adjoining church that no one from the congregation will visit the school without prior arrangement and that the school leaders will be the only ones holding the adjoining door lock keys.  At the previous inspection, the inspector identified several health and safety concerns. These included unsafe heater covers and a loose electrical socket. The outdoor play spaces had not been cleaned, and debris, sharp edges and finger traps posed risks to prospective pupils. These issues have all been addressed. Leaders can demonstrate the ongoing risk assessment checks they have in place to ensure the building and outside areas are always safe for all pupils.  Leaders can demonstrate that they now have a sufficiently rigorous approach to

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Main inspection findings

identifying and mitigating potential risks and hazards for themselves.  The school demonstrates an understanding of the importance of safeguarding. All staff have received up-to-date and relevant training. The school has a safeguarding policy on its website that reflects the most recent guidance. The policy clearly sets out how the school expects staff to respond to and record concerns about pupils’ welfare or concerns about adult conduct. Checks on the suitability of staff are carried out in accordance with the statutory guidance.  The independent school standards (the standards) contained in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The condition of the school’s proposed new permanent site is well-maintained and suitable for the intended pupils, with appropriate space, lighting and acoustics.  The school building is a church hall with one large, designated classroom and an additional teaching space. There is also a dedicated therapy space, which will be used as a medical room when needed. The medical space is adequate to meet the requirements of the standard. It includes a bed, washing facilities and a nearby toilet.  Storage space is available for the safe storage of resources and equipment. The premises provide enough space for the proposed number of pupils.  The premises include suitable toilet facilities for boys and girls with running hot and cold water. This water was not safe to drink and was clearly labelled as such.

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Main inspection findings

 The school does not have facilities for pupils over 11 to shower after physical education (PE). The school intends to use two external providers for PE. Leaders were able to provide evidence of the agreement with both providers, including confirmation of sole use of the shower and changing facilities when using the provision.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 32(1)(c)  The proprietor and leaders have worked with urgency to address the concerns raised at the last inspection. They have decided not to take on any pupils until the proposed new premises have been approved. The proprietor has recruited experienced leaders to the leadership of the school to ensure that all staff have a secure understanding of the standards and their responsibilities. Systems and quality assurance of these systems are now robust. This means that the school’s arrangements to promote and secure pupils’ welfare, health and safety at the proposed new premises are now suitable.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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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.

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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 likely 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

Annual fees (day pupils) £40,000 to £90,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21 to 23 May 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 18 Not applicable Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 0 15 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 Not applicable

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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 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 Not applicable

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Information about this school

 The school is proposing to move its registered premises at 25 Ravensdale Avenue, London, N12 9HP to St Johns Church, Lords Roundabout, London, NW8 7NE on a permanent basis.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in May 2024. At this inspection, the school was found to not meet some of the standards and was judged as requires improvement for overall effectiveness.  The school does not currently have a substantive headteacher but has appointed an interim headteacher.  The school caters for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including pupils with autism or social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils who attend are likely to have an education, health and care plan.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned the material change inspection. The school requested a change of premises. It is operating from St Johns Church, Lords Roundabout, London, NW8 7NE.  This was the third material change inspection regarding this request.  To check compliance with the standards, the inspectors spoke with the proprietor, the interim headteacher, the curriculum lead and a member of the governing body. The inspectors toured the premises and reviewed relevant policies, procedures and records.

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Inspection team

Aliki Constantopoulou, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Karen Kent 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 .

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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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