Arc School Ansley

School material change inspection report

p.1

Arc School Ansley Ansley Lane, Ansley, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 9ND

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  There is a safeguarding policy in place that adheres to current government guidance, as issued by the Secretary of State. It is published on the school’s website. The school provides parents and carers with a copy of the policy upon request.  The designated safeguarding lead and other staff in the safeguarding team are suitably trained and knowledgeable in all safeguarding matters. They have a strong understanding of pupils and their families. Staff seek useful information about all pupils and their potential barriers to learning and/or wellbeing before they start at the school. This ensures that staff can act quickly to provide help where needed.  Protocols in place for staff recruitment and staff induction are effective. The school completes all relevant checks to ensure that all adults are safe to work at their school.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 The proprietor body and school leaders have a secure understanding of how to keep pupils safe. Staff record concerns accurately and in a timely manner. Leaders respond swiftly when concerns are raised. They refer any issues to external agencies when appropriate. Staff liaise closely with these agencies to ensure that pupils and their families are given appropriate support. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  A health and safety policy is in place and implemented effectively. It is suitable and fit for purpose. The school liaises well with external consultants to help them carry out the required checks. Appropriate fire risk assessments for the premises have been completed and emerging recommendations acted upon swiftly.  The school’s written risk assessment policy is implemented effectively. The school has carried out several risk assessments to ensure that risks to pupils and staff are reduced. For example, there are detailed risk assessments completed for all pupils

p.1

Main inspection findings

attending the school.  Appropriate supervision of all pupils has been arranged. The current staffing structure ensures that pupils’ needs are adequately met. The current level of staffing at the school is likely to accommodate the proposed higher pupil numbers.  The independent school standards (the standards) in these paragraphs are likely to be met by the school if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c) and 21(5) to 21(6)  The school completes the required pre-employment checks on all new staff. It makes sure that all staff are suitable to work with children and young people. Checks on members of the proprietor body, school leaders and governors have been carried out to ensure that they have not been barred from running a school.  The school knows how to complete relevant overseas checks on any staff that have worked or lived outside of the United Kingdom.  The school has a clear understanding of the documentation required and checks they must complete when they use supply teachers.  These checks are all completed before an individual begins working at the school. Paragraphs 21(1) to 21(3)(b)  The school operates an online single central record. The register meets the

p.2

Main inspection findings

requirements of the standards. It includes records of checks completed on all staff, members of the proprietor body and the company’s executive team. The register is checked by leaders and other colleagues on a regular basis to ensure it remains accurate.  The school goes above and beyond to check that all staff continue to be suitable to work in their school by completing additional checks on them throughout the school year.  These standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 25, 26, 27(a), 27(b), 29(1) and 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The premises consist of two single-storey buildings and numerous outbuildings that occupy an extensive and impressive plot in the rural countryside. There is ample space outside for pupils to play and for pupils to be active. Additionally, the school uses a local leisure centre for the provision of physical education. The outside space also includes an outdoor classroom, a field, a fruit-tree orchard, an outdoor gym and extensive green spaces for pupils to use.  The premises are of high quality and in a good state of repair. The site provides suitable accommodation for the extra pupils the school wishes to admit.  The premises include suitable classrooms, breakout spaces, a dining hall, common areas and numerous specialist teaching rooms, such as computer suites, a food

p.2

Main inspection findings

technology room, a science lab and drama/music studio, for example. All teaching rooms have adequate lighting and suitable acoustic conditions. There is appropriate external lighting.  The premises have appropriate and sufficient toilets, and suitable washing facilities with running hot and cold water for pupils.  The site benefits from suitable shower and changing facilities. They are sufficiently generous to accommodate the proposed extra pupils. Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  The premises have a dedicated medical room. It has running water and is located near to a toilet facility. It includes a bed and appropriate first-aid equipment. Paragraphs 28(1) to 28(2)(b)  Pupils have access to drinking water in the common room and kitchen. Food is prepared on site by a dedicated catering team with a fully equipped industrial kitchen.  These standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body and leaders have a secure understanding of the independent school standards and how to meet them consistently and continually over time. They have used their skills and expertise to propose this expansion to increase the number of admitted pupils. Together, they have devised clear plans and policies for this expansion and have ensured that the premises are appropriate, and staffing is suitable to ensure the adequate supervision of pupils.  The proprietor body, along with school leaders, demonstrate knowledge, skills and expertise suitable to their roles, as well as high ambitions for every pupil. They are committed to providing a high quality of education and pastoral care to vulnerable pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  Leaders at all levels, as well as staff, demonstrate a strong commitment to actively

p.3

Main inspection findings

promote pupils’ wellbeing, welfare and safety.  These standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £68,650 to £72,370

p.5

School details

Email address arcansley@kedlestongroup.com

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 29 April to 1 May 2025

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 17 11 to 17 11 to 17

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 65 72 72

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 65 72

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 65 72

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 65 72

p.6

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 72

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 18 19

p.6

Information about this school

 Arc School Ansley is part of the Kedleston Group which runs special schools and residential care across the UK.  The school is located on Ansley Lane, Ansley, Nuneaton, CV10 9ND which is in Warwickshire. It is registered to admit 65 pupils. The school wishes to increase this number to 72.  The school caters for pupils with a range of SEND, including autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. Their places are commissioned by a local authority.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provision.  The school’s last standard inspection was in April/May 2025 where the overall effectiveness grade was good.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to establish whether the school would be likely to meet all of the relevant independent school standards if the proposed material change to increase the number of pupils on roll from 65 to 72 was to be implemented.  This was the first material change inspection since the school’s previous standard inspection.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher and the office manager. The inspector held a meeting with representatives from the proprietor body, including the chief executive officer and the regional director.  The inspector toured the school premises with the headteacher.  The inspector scrutinised documents relating to the welfare and health and safety of pupils.  The inspector reviewed safeguarding documents.

p.7

Inspection team

Bianka Zemke, 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.7

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.8

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.8

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.8

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.8

Inspection team

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

p.8

Inspection team

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

p.8