Phoenix Independent School

School material change inspection report

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Phoenix Independent School Unit E, Metro Business Park, Clough Street, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST1 4AF

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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)  Leaders have established a strong safeguarding culture. This is underpinned by clear systems, consistent practice and careful strategic oversight. Staff receive appropriate safeguarding training. They understand their responsibilities well. Leaders analyse safeguarding information robustly. They draw on behaviour, attendance and welfare data to promptly identify risks. Pupils learn about healthy relationships, consent, online safety and risk through the curriculum, including relationships and sex education. Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school continues to publish its arrangements for safeguarding pupils on its website. This document is in line with statutory guidance. Paragraph 11  Current and proposed health and safety arrangements are strong. They are governed by a comprehensive policy that clearly sets out responsibilities, routines and

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Main inspection findings

procedures. Leaders demonstrate a clear understanding of compliance. They reference regular checks, such as electrical appliance testing, fixed-wire testing, cleaning routines, ventilation checks, and temperature regulation. Staff understand their roles in maintaining a safe environment. They can describe how hazards are monitored and addressed. The school keeps risk assessments and safety logs up to date. Staff remain alert to changes that may affect safety, including pupils’ needs and site changes. Paragraph 12  The proposed site has undergone a detailed fire risk assessment. Leaders have acted promptly on all identified improvements. The building benefits from enhanced fire detection, clear signage, emergency lighting and multiple safe evacuation routes. The school conducts fire drills regularly and efficiently. Staff understand their responsibilities during an evacuation. The absence of any enforcement notices at

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Main inspection findings

either site further supports the suitability of the school’s fire-safety culture. Paragraph 14  Proposed supervision arrangements are carefully tailored to pupils’ needs. Staffing levels are appropriate for the increased cohort. Staff carry out their duties with a strong pastoral focus. Supervision is consistent across lessons, transitions and unstructured times. The behaviour culture supports safe supervision. Routines and systems help pupils regulate their emotions and maintain positive relationships. The school ethos reinforces positive interactions and creates a calm, well-supervised community. Paragraph 16 to 16b  Risk assessment is a notable strength. Leaders use a systematic approach to ensure that all areas of the school are thoroughly assessed. This includes classrooms, the office, medical facilities and outdoor spaces. Assessments are detailed, clear and regularly reviewed. Staff understand contextual risks. This particularly applies to

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Main inspection findings

vulnerable pupils. Leaders ensure risk management is practical and embedded in daily routines rather than a paper exercise.  The proprietor has ensured that these independent school standards (the standards) are likely to be met by the school if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 21(1) to 21(5)(a)(ii) and 21(5)(c) to 21(8)  Safer recruitment practice is robust. The school completes required vetting checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service and identity checks and references, appropriately. Leaders maintain an accurate single central record in line with the standards. New staff receive a structured induction. This ensures they understand the school’s safeguarding expectations before taking on responsibilities. The school does

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Main inspection findings

not use supply staff.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2) to 29(1)(b)  The proposed building has previously been used as a series of offices. It has undergone significant refurbishment to meet the needs of the school. Leaders have undertaken significant work to prepare the building. They have invested in structural improvements. Examples are new fire doors, upgraded emergency lighting, reconfigured classroom spaces and enhanced toilet and washing facilities. Specialist areas have been created. This includes an art room and a social space, alongside well- equipped classrooms and communal spaces. All work has been completed to a high standard. The new premises at Unit C provide a safe, well-designed and spacious

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Main inspection findings

environment. It is carefully configured to meet the needs of a larger pupil cohort.  Classrooms are well lit and well ventilated. They are furnished to allow flexible arrangements for pastoral support, specialist sessions and small ‑ group teaching. There is a fully equipped medical room. This has secure storage and appropriate washing facilities. It is located near the toilet areas for easy access. Providing multiple toilets and washing areas meets expectations for an expanded cohort. Enhanced outdoor spaces offer safe areas for recreation, supervised social interaction and physical activity.  Drinking water provision, water ‑ temperature regulation and environmental controls are well established. The proprietor monitors water systems regularly. Legionella control is clearly demonstrated through scheduled flushing and temperature checking routines. The proprietor keeps the environment clean, tidy and conducive to safe

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Main inspection findings

movement and learning.  Outdoor areas for learning and social times are secure. They are suitable for structured and informal recreation. Leaders plan to continue developing these spaces to create opportunities for physical education, outdoor learning and wellbeing activities. This reflects their commitment to supporting pupils’ holistic development. The school also supplements on ‑ site facilities with access to external sports provision. Leaders have risk assessed and planned this appropriately.  Leaders have integrated technology and security effectively into the premises. They systematically maintain network systems, environmental controls and essential safety equipment as part of established operational routines.  Leaders have also identified that the external storage area at the rear of the premises requires clearing and improved organisation. They have made arrangements for this. These aim to implement appropriate waste ‑ removal systems. This must be completed

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Main inspection findings

within the set short ‑ term time frame to ensure ongoing compliance and site safety.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  Leadership and management are effective. This means the school has the capacity to be likely to meet the standards during the material change. Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of statutory requirements, compliance duties and risk management principles. The proprietors and senior leaders adopt a hands-on approach. They have direct involvement in safeguarding oversight, fire safety routines, behaviour and culture monitoring, staff training and day-to-day operational management. There are robust governance structures. This includes a systematic review of policies, oversight of hazard logs, scrutiny of premises documentation and

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Main inspection findings

consistent engagement with compliance activities.  The leadership team is well structured. It has expertise spanning curriculum, special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), safeguarding, pastoral care, behaviour, quality assurance and operational management. There are well-established systems for staff induction, professional development and performance expectations. The school articulates its ethos, centred on relational practice and strong moral purpose, well.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £23,750 to £26,600

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School details

Email address sjamieson@phoenixlearning.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 11 to 13 March 2025

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 14 to 16 14 to 16 14 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 32 45 45

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 32 45 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 3 45

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 3 10

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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 3 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 15 14

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Information about this school

 The proposed building is located at Unit C, Metro Business Park, Clough Street, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST1 4AF. It has been renovated and equipped to meet the needs and provisions of the school.  The school caters for boys and girls aged 14 to 16 years, offering a broad and balanced curriculum that combines academic subjects with appropriate pastoral support.  The school’s focus includes provision for pupils with SEND, particularly those with social, emotional and mental health needs. A proportion of pupils are expected to have an education, health and care plan. Placements will be funded by local authorities. The ethos prioritises therapeutic approaches and personalised learning to re-engage pupils who have struggled in mainstream settings.  The school does not have a religious character and operates as a non-faith provision.  The school does not use any form of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time evaluation about the quality of a school’s education provision.  The DfE commissioned this material change inspection to determine whether the proposed school would be likely to meet the independent school standards if the material change is granted.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of this change that the school has applied to make. The material changes aim to increase the number of pupils at the school and to change its location. This will have an impact on the location of where the educational provision will take place.  Due to the inspection taking place at the proposed new site, it was not possible to speak with pupils, who were located at the current site.  The inspector carried out a range of activities to ascertain if the school was likely to meet the independent school standards. These activities included: meeting with the proprietor and the headteacher; reviewing a broad range of policies and reviewing

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Information about this inspection

leaders’ intended systems and procedures for managing the school.  The inspector toured the school’s proposed new premises to evaluate the likelihood of meeting the standards in part 5.  The inspector met with the proprietor and designated safeguarding leads to discuss safeguarding arrangements.

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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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Inspection team

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