Guildhall Academy

Guildhall Academy 65b George Eliot Road, Coventry, CV1 4HT

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inspection report:

Overall outcome The school is unlikely to meet all the independent school standards if it is registered

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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 and school staff all share a strong moral purpose for opening the proposed school. They have the knowledge to ensure pupils are kept safe at the school. They have relevant understanding of the needs of pupils the school is likely to admit if it is registered. They have experience of education in specialist education. Despite this, the proprietor has not ensured that all of the independent school standards (the standards) are likely to be met should the school be registered. Gaps remain in leaders’ educational expertise for the age range on the school’s application. While staff have the skills to ensure pupils access a broad and balanced curriculum, thinking to support the younger pupils and those who have gaps in reading is not developed enough.

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Curriculum

The proprietor has put in place a curriculum that is broad and balanced. Leaders at the school have a clear vision for the school’s curriculum and plan for it to be academically challenging, but to also support pupils’ wider development and wellbeing. The school has a detailed curriculum policy and overarching plans in place. However, the detail of the schemes of work are not specific enough. While the broad objectives are in place it is not clear what pupils will learn when and how pupils will build up their knowledge over time. The school has begun to think about the teaching of early reading to pupils. Currently, staff lack the specific knowledge to be able to effectively teach phonics and early reading to those pupils who need it. As the curriculum is not fully developed, pupils’ learning and progress will be inconsistent. Even so, some parts of the curriculum are planned in a way that fits the school’s purpose and the needs of its pupils, for example the school

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Curriculum

has thought carefully about its personal, social and health curriculum and how it relates to the school’s context.

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Curriculum

The school’s careers programme is well considered. The leaders know the needs of the proposed pupils and the precise support they will need. Thought has been given to how the pupils will be able to access opportunities, such as work experience, for example.

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Curriculum

The school has a policy for the teaching of relationships and sex education and health education. The content of this curriculum intends to meet the needs of the proposed age ranges. The school plans to consult parents and carers, when the proposed school opens.

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Teaching

Although there are some weaknesses in curriculum plans, staff have a clear understanding of how to teach in a way that meets the needs of the pupils the school plans to admit. School leaders plan to appoint teaching staff with the appropriate subject knowledge to be able to teach the pupils in the school.

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Teaching

The proprietor has ensured that there are clear processes in place for monitoring the quality of teaching and learning. Senior staff plan to have oversight of each pupil’s progress.

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Assessment

The proposed school recognises that many pupils are likely to have gaps in their learning due to extended periods of interrupted education. Therefore, the school has established detailed and appropriate assessment procedures that will be used to assess pupils’ starting points on their entry to the school. Leaders plan to link the teaching, learning and assessments closely to the pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans. The school plans to use ongoing checks on pupils’ learning and development and will adapt the curriculum accordingly.

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Assessment

The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part, if it is registered.

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pupils

The school has appropriate plans to teach personal, social, health and economic education. These plans show that the school will encourage respect for other people and public institutions. For example, the school plans to visit a range of places of worship and to work with the local police and fire station.

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pupils

The school has woven opportunities for pupils to learn about the importance of not discriminating against those with protected characteristics, as outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

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pupils

The school intends for all pupils to access a range of enrichment activities throughout the school day. For example, pupils will have cookery lessons, learn about budgeting and go on a variety of trips in the local area and beyond.

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pupils

The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part, if it is registered.

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Safeguarding

The school has an appropriate safeguarding policy in place. This policy reflects the most recent guidance from the Secretary of State and considers the local areas and the specific needs of the pupils it plans to admit. There are currently 2 staff trained to be designated safeguarding leaders.

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Safeguarding

The school plans to use a clear system for recording and responding to safeguarding concerns. Leaders have plans in place to move to an electronic system to log and analyse concerns. Staff will complete safeguarding training regularly. In addition, there will be daily staff briefings, which will be used to share key information and discussing safeguarding in more detail, for example looking at safeguarding scenarios.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor has put in place an appropriate whistleblowing policy. The school’s policies and procedures provide practical guidance that should support a consistent approach to managing safeguarding across the school.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The school has a written behaviour policy. The policy reflects the particular needs of pupils who the school is likely to admit. The school has an appropriate system for recording and analysing pupils’ behaviour. Leaders have considered their approach to physical intervention. The policy is clear about how all incidents will be logged and reviewed over time.

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Anti-bullying

The anti-bullying policy is clear and covers different types of bullying, including online and relating to people with protected characteristics. Leaders understand bullying and have strategies in place to support all pupils, including to help pupils to understand the impact their behaviour has on others.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has ensured that the proposed school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. An internal fire risk assessment has recently been carried out, providing assurance that fire safety arrangements are suitable. Leaders have carried out the actions required from this audit. Appropriate firefighting equipment and fire evacuation procedures are in place. The school intends to carry out routine checks on equipment and alarms and hold regular fire drills.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

There is an appropriate health and safety policy in place. In addition, the school’s first-aid policy is detailed. The school has ensured that all staff will be trained in first aid.

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Admissions and attendance

The school has appropriate admission and attendance registers in place. It will record attendance electronically. Leaders plan to use this to identify any trends or patterns of absence.

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Risk assessment and supervision

The school will ensure that there are appropriate levels of supervision to keep pupils safe. It intends to employ a suitable number of staff to ensure that pupils are supervised effectively. Leaders plan to increase the number of staff over time, in line with increasing pupil numbers.

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Risk assessment and supervision

The school has an appropriate risk assessment policy in place. The school plans to have individual behaviour risk assessments for those pupils who require them. Leaders have ensured that the risk assessment templates are suitable and detailed.

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Risk assessment and supervision

The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part, if it is registered.

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

The proprietor understands the requirements for checking on the suitability of new members of staff. The proprietor has a suitable staff recruitment policy. It has in place an electronic single central record of these recruitment checks.

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

The school does not intend to use supply staff. However, leaders understand the checks that they would need to make if they were to do so.

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

The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part, if it is registered.

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and showers

Toilet and shower facilities are appropriate. All facilities have sufficient water supplies and hot water temperatures do not pose a scalding risk. Leaders have not identified a tap for drinking water, however, they have bottled water in place until the main’s drinking water is identified.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

Leaders have identified a suitable area for the medical room. They have appropriate first-aid kits and equipment available. The medical room is situated close to a toilet. However, at the time of the inspection, there was no handwashing facility in the medical room. Leaders plan to install a fridge and a lockable medicine cabinet and a sink

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The premises has been refurbished to a high standard and is bright, airy and well equipped. The number and size of rooms are suitable for the number of pupils that the proprietor intends to admit.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school has closed-circuit television (CCTV) throughout the school. Cameras are appropriately labelled and are not inside toilet or changing facilities. The school has an appropriate CCTV policy.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Windows bring in plenty of natural light, and the indoor and exterior lights work well. Currently, there are no blinds on the windows to block any direct sunlight, leaders are planning to install these. Acoustics throughout the school are appropriate.

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Outdoor space

There is a large outdoor space for pupils to play in. Generally, this is well presented. There are some small trip hazards, however, the proprietor is looking at ways to minimise these through outdoor furniture and organisation of play areas. Pupils will have physical education on the school site, but the proprietor is also considering taking the pupils swimming and to an off-site sports centre.

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Outdoor space

The school is unlikely to meet all the standards in this part, if it is registered.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The school is aware of the information and documentation that it must make available on request. Leaders are currently designing the school’s website and are aware of the policies and information that need to be published when it goes live.

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Part 6. Provision of information

There are appropriate arrangements for reporting to parents about their children’s progress.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part, if it is registered.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The school has an appropriate complaints policy in place. It sets out clear and reasonable timeframes for all stages of the complaints procedure. The proposed school is clear about how complaints will be reported and how records of complaints will be kept.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

Leaders plan to make this available on the website when it goes live.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The proposed school is aware of its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and has a suitable 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.

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About this inspection

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 proprietor for this school is Guildhall Academy Ltd. The proprietor does not currently have any other registered independent schools.

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About this inspection

Guildhall Academy is located at the following address: 65b George Eliot Road, Coventry CV1 4HT.

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About this inspection

Inspectors spoke with the chair of the proprietor body and the appointed headteacher and deputy headteacher during the inspection.

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About this inspection

Guildhall Academy proposed to open for 35 pupils, with an age range from 7 to 18. The school plans to support pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities, including autism, cognition and learning and social, emotional and mental health needs.

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About this inspection

The proprietor does not intend to use alternative provision.

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About this proposed school

Proprietor Chair of the proprietor body Guildhall Academy Ltd Tara Ahmed Headteacher Stuart Henderson-Andrews Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 35 Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Provider’s proposal: 35

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About this proposed school

Number of part-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Provider’s proposal: 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities on roll Provider’s proposal: 35

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About this proposed school

Number of pupils on roll who have an education, health and care plan, or who are looked after by a local authority Provider’s proposal: 35

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About this proposed school

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 7 to 18 Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: Mixed Total hours operating as a school per week Provider’s proposal: 27.5

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About this proposed school

Total hours of teaching provided per week Provider’s proposal: 22.5

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About this proposed school

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 15

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About this proposed school

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 0 Annual fees for day pupils £75,000 Email address office@guildhallacademy.co.uk

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught;

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including- – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility; and

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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 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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