Pollyteach Limited

School material change inspection report

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Pollyteach Limited The Elms, Portland College, Mansfield NG18 4TJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy aligns with current statutory guidance and has been shared with staff, parents and carers. It is published on the proprietor’s group website until the school’s own site is established.  The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy DSLs have completed training appropriate to their roles. Drawn from diverse positions and roles across the organisation, they provide oversight of the school’s full safeguarding needs. The proprietor also conducts safeguarding checks to ensure pupils’ safety.  Leaders demonstrate a strong understanding of the increased vulnerability of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff are well trained and know the appropriate steps to take should a pupil make a safeguarding disclosure. Pupils can identify a trusted adult should they feel worried or concerned. As part of

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Main inspection findings

the taught curriculum, pupils learn how to keep themselves safe, including online.  The proprietor plans to expand staff numbers as the school grows. Some of these staff will focus on supporting pupils’ wellbeing and mental health while also addressing any safeguarding needs. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16 to 16(b)  The school has a comprehensive health and safety policy. It includes information on the school’s risk management processes. These systems are implemented effectively.  Fire safety procedures are rigorously maintained. Timely evacuation drills and electrical and lighting inspections are carried out. The proprietor’s central estates team oversees all checks, including fire safety. Several staff are trained as fire marshals. This enables the school to promote and uphold fire safety across the site.  The independent school standards (the standards) checked in parts 3 and 6 are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved and implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The school has appropriate toilet and washing facilities, including provision that is accessible to pupils, staff and visitors with disabilities. All toilet cubicles can be secured from the inside. There is hot and cold running water. The hot water is set at an appropriate temperature. There are signs indicating where the water is not suitable for drinking.  A suitably equipped medical room is available on site. It includes a sink with convenient access to a toilet and shower room. The room contains well ‑ stocked first- aid supplies, with additional kits located at key points around the school. These resources are checked regularly to ensure they remain complete and ready for use.  The school has carefully considered how different rooms and spaces will be used to meet the needs of the pupils it intends to admit. Several rooms have been designated

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Main inspection findings

as sensory spaces or areas to help pupils regulate their behaviour. This ensures that there are tailored environments to support pupils’ individual needs.  The accommodation across the school is appropriate and meets the requirements of the standards. This includes suitable acoustics and lighting, with teaching rooms benefiting from natural light. Both exterior and interior lighting are well maintained. Access through main doorways and gates is controlled via keypads and coded locks.  The school is located on the site of Portland College, which is situated in the heart of Sherwood Forest. Pupils will benefit from access to the wider outdoor spaces available on the site. This will provide further opportunities to enhance their wellbeing and physical health. The school also has two enclosed outdoor courtyards for use during social times.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor demonstrates a secure understanding of the standards. It carries out systematic checks to ensure the school continues to meet the standards.  The proprietor, together with staff, remains vigilant in all aspects of safeguarding. It demonstrates secure and effective knowledge of how to manage safeguarding concerns. It actively promotes the welfare, health and safety of pupils, ensuring that suitable provision is in place to support their wellbeing.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has ensured that a suitable accessibility plan is in place. The plan meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. The proprietor updates the plan at appropriate intervals to take into account the needs of its school community.

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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

Proprietor Portland College Enterprises Limited

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 20 to 22 June 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 18 8 to 16 8 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 10 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 10 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 10 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 10 50

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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 10 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 29 29

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 17 17

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Information about this school

 Pollyteach is an independent special school. There are currently 10 pupils on roll, none of whom are above compulsory school age. Typically, pupils have SEND with primarily social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have education, health and care plans.  The school currently operates from a single site at The Elms, Portland College, Mansfield, NG18 4TJ.  At the time of the inspection, the school had discontinued using the premises at The Loft, 18–20 Diamond Avenue, Kirkby in Ashfield, NG17 7GR and The Hub, Forest Street, Kirkby in Ashfield, NG17 7DT.  The headteacher took up the position in September 2025.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in June 2023.  The school uses one registered and one unregistered alternative provision.  The proprietor also manages The Meadows, an alternative provision situated on the same site as the school. This provision operates under the direct oversight of the

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education. Its purpose was to consider the school’s proposal to reduce the age range it intends to admit. Inspectors also considered the impact of the school’s reduction in the number of sites it operates from, alongside the decrease in pupil capacity from 75 to 50.  The inspector toured the site the school operates from to consider the suitability of the premises for the number of pupils the school intends to admit.  The inspector met with the headteacher, other senior leaders, the proprietor and representatives of the Portland central team to discuss the material change.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documents relating to safeguarding, health and safety, the school’s premises and leadership and management.

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Inspection team

Shaheen Hussain, 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 .

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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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