Bespoke Training and Education

Bespoke Training and Education School Street, Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV3 0NR

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inspection report:

Overall outcome The school is unlikely to meet all the independent school standards if it is registered. It is currently operating without registration.

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inspection report:

The purpose of this inspection was to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the proposed school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards and associated requirements that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out pre-registration inspections of proposed independent schools, we report on the provider’s likely compliance with part 8 of the independent school standards first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the independent school standards consistently. The standard in part 8 is intended to ensure that the quality of leadership and management at the school is sufficient for that purpose.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor, who will be headteacher of the proposed school, has a clear and ambitious vision to operate a school that is inclusive and supportive. The proposed school intends to provide a vocationally focused, broad curriculum to enable pupils who have previously found it difficult to learn in a mainstream setting to reach their full potential.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor demonstrates a range of skills, experience and knowledge appropriate to the role. However, the school has not ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) are likely to be met. Primarily this is because some required policies are not in place or are not fully compliant with the requirements of the standards. Additionally, the planned recruitment checks made on staff before they start at the school do not meet statutory requirements. The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Curriculum

The proprietor has developed a broad curriculum with a focus on vocational skills, such as animal husbandry, health and fitness and sports coaching. The curriculum policy is supported by detailed schemes of work. The proprietor has also given careful thought to how the knowledge they expect pupils to learn builds over time, including plans to support any pupils who are at an early stage of learning to read.

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Curriculum

The proposed schemes of work are sufficiently detailed to enable teachers to understand the key knowledge pupils should learn. In designing the schemes of work, the proposed school has also considered the different interests, ambitions and the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities

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Curriculum

The proposed school has set out a careers programme that provides pupils with access to impartial and up-to-date careers guidance. Planned visits to careers fairs, colleges and places of work will help pupils make informed choices about their future. The curriculum plans suggest that the school will promote fundamental British values.

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Curriculum

The proposed school intends that pupils will learn about healthy relationships. However, there is not a policy for explaining how this relationships and sex education (RSE) will be taught. This means that parents and carers are unable to understand how the school proposes to implement and review this aspect of the curriculum.

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Teaching

The proprietor intends to check the work of teachers and ensure the curriculum is delivered effectively. These checks will also ensure that any training needs for staff are identified and addressed through additional professional development and support. Current staff, who will be retained should the proposed school open, have secure subject knowledge and understand how to use their assessment of what pupils know and can do to plan appropriate lessons. High-quality resources are available to pupils in the proposed premises, including musical equipment, extensive physical education facilities and well stocked art studios. These will enable pupils to experience a wide range of activities to enrich and develop their learning.

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Assessment

The proprietor has systems in place to ensure that pupils’ abilities and any special educational needs and/or disabilities needs are accurately identified and assessed when they join the school. The proprietor intends to record and share each individual pupil’s progress. This will enable the staff team to use this information to provide support and individual curriculum pathways. Each pupil’s bespoke learning programme will support them to make progress toward both their academic and their vocational goals.

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Assessment

The lack of a policy for RSE means that parents are unable to be fully consulted on, or understand how, the school proposes to implement and review this aspect of the curriculum.

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Assessment

The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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pupils

The proposed school plans to provide a wide range of opportunities to develop pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) understanding. Respect and tolerance are stated expectations in every unit of work in all subjects. Pupils will develop a sense of teamwork, cooperation and responsibility through working together in sporting and social activities.

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pupils

The SMSC curriculum will be adapted for individuals through specific provision, such as ‘chats for change’ sessions. These personalised discussions will help pupils to learn to manage emotions.

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pupils

Through the curriculum, pupils will learn about public institutions, such as the police and government. Pupils will be encouraged to debate local issues and world events in a balanced and respectful way. This will support pupils to learn right from wrong.

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pupils

The proprietor intends that pupils expand their understanding and respect people with the characteristics that make everyone unique and protected by law and different faiths, through deliberately chosen use of experiences of the cultural diversity locally. The proposed school has given thought to how these interactions will add to pupils’ wider development. It is likely these opportunities will support pupils to develop as confident individuals with an appreciation of the fundamental British values as well as their social and moral responsibility.

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pupils

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Safeguarding

The school has a safeguarding policy. However, it is not comprehensive and is not informed by the government’s most recent guidance. For example, the policy does have a clear procedure for addressing online safety risks. Additionally, the policy is not in line with current expectations for staff to receive safeguarding training every year.

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Safeguarding

The proposed school has arrangements in place for staff to raise and record concerns. Those responsible for safeguarding intend to review concerns and escalate matters appropriately.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The proposed school has clear plans in place to manage the behaviour of pupils. Staff will supervise pupils at all times, including on arrival and when leaving the proposed school. There is a comprehensive behaviour policy in place that considers the potential vulnerabilities of pupils who may attend the school. The proprietor intends for every pupil to have an individual risk assessment. These documents will provide information about how teachers should best manage pupils’ behaviour.

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Anti-bullying

The proposed school has developed a comprehensive bullying policy. The policy explains how pupils will learn about bullying and encourages pupils to always tell someone if they or others are being bullied. The policy defines bullying and outlines clear procedures for reporting and dealing with bullying.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The school has comprehensive policies in place for health and safety, and first aid. The proprietor has provided support and guidance to ensure these policies are likely to be implemented effectively. The fire risk assessments for the buildings confirm that the school is compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. There are appropriate measures in place for fire evacuation and the maintenance of fire equipment. The proprietor and staff have current first-aid training certification. The proprietor plans to ensure all staff receive first-aid training when they join the school.

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Admissions and attendance

There is a system in place to record admissions and attendance. The admissions register will be linked to an individual risk assessment and school readiness questionnaire for each pupil. These arrangements, if implemented effectively, are likely to comply with the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2024.

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Risk assessment

There is a risk assessment policy, which allows for the reduction of risks for both the proposed sites. This includes specific activities, such as the use of the boxing gym and handling animals. Pupils will have individual risk assessments to identify any vulnerabilities and associated risks. The proprietor intends that pupils’ needs are well considered and appropriate mitigating actions are identified.

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Risk assessment

The lack of a fully compliant safeguarding policy means that the proposed school does not meet all the requirements needed to keep children safe in education, including its publication on the website.

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Risk assessment

The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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The recruitment checks made on staff, supply staff and the proprietor

The proprietor has not made sure that all the right safeguarding checks take place during recruitment. Staff who are currently employed and will work in the proposed school have not been subject to all the required safeguarding checks for an independent school. The proprietor does not intend to use supply staff but is aware of the checks that need to be made should the proposed school do so at a later date.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proposed school has not organised records of recruitment checks into a single central record. The checks that have been made on staff already employed are kept in individual personnel files.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proposed school is not doing all the necessary recruitment checks and recording that are required to keep pupils safe.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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and showers

Both proposed sites have sufficient toilets for pupils to use. These toilets can all be secured from the inside. These spaces have washing facilities with an adequate supply of hot and cold water. The temperature of the water does not pose a risk of scalding. At ‘The Way’ site, where physical education will take place, there are showering and changing facilities for pupils.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The medical room at both proposed sites are suitable for this purpose. They contain handwashing facilities with a toilet nearby. There is a quiet comfortable space at each site for individual counselling and therapy if needed.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Both proposed sites are safe, suitable and appropriate for pupils aged 14 to 16 to learn in. The buildings are well maintained with secure boundary fences. The proprietor maintains records of the checks made on the building, such as fire equipment checks and water flushing, including those safety checks made by external agencies.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

There are sufficient internal and external lights at both sites, and the buildings are acoustically suitable for use as a school.

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Outdoor space

Both proposed sites have sufficient outdoor space. At ‘The Way’, there are spacious outdoor sports facilities for physical activities and spaces to relax and socialise. At ‘The Windmill’ site, there is a well maintained, safely fenced garden area for play and relaxation as well as spaces to keep animals for the intended animal welfare courses.

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Outdoor space

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school’s ethos is published on the school’s website. Policies are available on request for parents. The proprietor plans to add these to the website of the school if the proposed school is registered. These provide information about admissions, behaviour and exclusions, curriculum policy, anti-bullying, health and safety, and first aid. However, there is no policy for how the proposed school intends to provide for pupils who speak English as an additional language, and there is no RSE policy. The school’s safeguarding policy is not publicly available on the website.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has considered what annual reports to parents and carers will look like. These are comprehensive and provide parents with a clear picture of their child’s achievements, behaviour and progress.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has adequate plans in place for reporting how income received for children in care is used and for reporting information to be used in reviews of education, health and care (EHC) plans once pupils with EHC plans, or children in care, are admitted into the proposed school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proposed school has a suitable complaints policy. It is not currently published on the website but is available on request for parents. The proprietor plans to add this to the website of the school if the proposed school is registered. The policy has clear structure & timescales for complaints from an informal to formal stage if needed. There is a clear process for escalation beyond the school using external bodies and a panel.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The proprietor has given due consideration to the accessibility of both buildings. There is a suitable written accessibility plan in place.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. Inspectors checked the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

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About this inspection

Following our renewed inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the proprietor, who is also the headteacher during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The proposed school is currently operating as an alternative provision. This opened in 2020. The inspector did not observe teaching at this provision as part of the inspection of the proposed school.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

The proposed school intends to provide a vocationally focused, broad curriculum for pupils between the ages of 14 and 16, who have previously found it difficult to learn in a mainstream setting.

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About this inspection

The school intends to cater for pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities, including cognitive and learning needs, moderate and specific learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, autism spectrum condition, and speech language and communication needs. Some pupils may have EHC plans.

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About this inspection

The proposed school will operate across 2 sites. The first site, known as ‘The Way’, is located at School Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV3 0NR. The second site, known as ‘The Windmill’, is located at The Health and Wellbeing Centre, Castlecroft Avenue, Wolverhampton WV3 8JN.

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About this inspection

The proposed school does not intend to use alternative provision.

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About this proposed school

Proprietor Bespoke Training and Education Ltd Headteacher Graham Coffey Type of school Other Independent School Capacity 30 Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Provider’s proposal: 30

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About this proposed school

Number of part-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Provider’s proposal: 0

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About this proposed school

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities on roll

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Provider’s proposal: 30

Number of pupils on roll who have an education, health and care plan, or who are looked after by a local authority

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Provider’s proposal: 30

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 14 to 16 Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: Mixed Total hours operating as a school per week

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Provider’s proposal: 32.5

Total hours of teaching provided per week Provider’s proposal: 30

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Provider’s proposal: 32.5

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 6

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Provider’s proposal: 32.5

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 3 Annual fees for day pupils £20,000 - £80,000 Email address bespoke.te@gmail.com

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 2A(1)(e) makes and keeps up to date a separate written statement of its policy with regard to the provision of education as required by each of paragraphs (a) and (b), – 2A(1)(f) consults parents of registered pupils at the school before making or revising a statement under sub-paragraph (e), and – 2A(1)(g) publishes a copy of the statement on a website and provides a copy of the statement free of charge to anyone who asks for one.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 18(2)(a) no such person is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that person is or will be engaging in activity which is regulated activity within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to that Act; – 18(2)(b) no such person carries out work, or intends to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act, or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction; – 18(2)(c) the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of each such person- – 18(2)(c)(ii) the person’s medical fitness;  18(3) The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub- paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

appointment.  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(2) The register referred to in sub-paragraph (1) may be kept in electronic form, provided that the information so recorded is capable of being reproduced in legible form.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is- – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether- – 21(3)(a)(ii) a check was made to establish whether S is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act; – 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

contained in such a direction; – 21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff ("S"), whether a check was made to establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 32(1)(b) the information specified in sub-paragraph (3) is made available to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector, the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate; – 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request;  32(3) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is- – 32(3)(b) particulars of educational and welfare provision for pupils with EHC plans and pupils for whom English is an additional language;

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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