The Phoenix School

The Phoenix School 3-4 Barrington Close, Altrincham, Greater Manchester WA14 1JA

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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 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 does not have the expertise and knowledge of the independent school standards (the standards) that they need to ensure that they are met now, or over time. They do not have a secure understanding of the requirements of each part. Consequently, there are multiple parts of the standards that are unlikely to be met if the school is registered.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

There are aspects of the proposed school that fall short of the requirements to keep pupils safe. For example, knowing which recruitment checks need to be made on new staff who join the school and ensuring fire safety. These limitations pose a potential risk to pupils’ wellbeing should the proposed school be registered.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The standards in this part are not likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Curriculum

There is a curriculum policy in place. The curriculum policy shows that the breadth of subjects that pupils will study meets the requirements of the standards. It is leaders’ intentions that pupils will work towards recognised qualifications.

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Curriculum

All the pupils at the proposed school will have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Although there are plans and schemes of work in place for each subject, leaders have not thought about how these plans and schemes of work will meet the needs of pupils who attend the school in relation to their specific needs and previous experiences of education.

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Curriculum

There is an agreed phonics programme in place to support pupils who may be at the early stages of learning to read. However, there are no resources available to teach the programme.

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Curriculum

There is no plan in place for careers education. This includes no consideration of what transition will look like for pupils when they have to leave the school at age 14.

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Curriculum

The proposed school has a policy in place for pupils’ relationships, sex and health education. This reflects statutory guidance. However, leaders have not thought deeply enough about what the provision will be if pupils need to access learning at a level that may be significantly below their chronological age.

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Teaching

The proprietor has made sure that the staff team have the background and experience of supporting pupils with SEND. However, the intended curriculum does not give staff a secure basis to structure pupils’ learning from. Leaders intend that pupils will have regular opportunities to revisit previous learning. However, it is unclear what this will look like as the curriculum plans do not sufficiently take into account pupils’ needs and previous learning. There is little guidance for how teachers will make sure that teaching is adapted for pupils to help them to achieve the targets outlined in their education, health and care (EHC) plans.

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Assessment

It is unclear what assessment of pupils’ learning will look like. Leaders have not thought carefully enough about how they will find out what pupils’ gaps in knowledge are. They know that pupils will join the school with typically significant gaps in their knowledge and often after spending time out of education. That said, there are not well-understood systems and procedures in place to find out what pupils know, including how teachers will use this information to promote successful learning for pupils.

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Assessment

The standards in this part are not likely to be met if the school is registered.

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pupils

There is a programme in place for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. The school’s plans for this show where pupils will learn about the fundamental British values as well as the protected characteristics. There is a plan in place for regular assemblies linked to different parts of the SMSC offer. The curriculum for pupils’ personal, social, moral and cultural (PSHE) education is in place, but leaders have not thought closely enough about making sure that the curriculum meets the needs of pupils who attend the school.

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pupils

The standards in this part are not likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Safeguarding

Although leaders have had recent safeguarding training, they have not ensured that the school’s safeguarding policy reflects the specific vulnerabilities of pupils who may attend the school due to their special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and their previous experiences. This raises concerns about the level of knowledge and expertise that the designated safeguarding lead has, to be able to fulfil their role well enough.

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Safeguarding

In addition, safer recruitment procedures are not fully understood. For example, the proprietor was not aware of some of the recruitment checks that needed to be completed and recorded on the single central record.

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Safeguarding

The proposed school has systems and procedures in place for identifying, recording and reporting any concerns about pupils. There is a planned training programme for staff to help them to understand leaders’ expectations for keeping pupils safe.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

There is a behaviour policy in place that sets out the school’s expectations for pupils’ behaviour and conduct. The policy shows consideration for the potential needs of pupils who may join the school. There is also a suitable anti-bullying policy in place.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The school has a system in place to record any incidents of poor behaviour. There are ways that this information can be shared with parents and carers. The system that the school proposes to use will enable leaders to identify any changes in behaviour.

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Anti-bullying

The proposed school has clearly set out their approach to anti-bullying. There are planned assemblies as well as content within the curriculum for pupils’ personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proposed school has a health and safety policy in place. This shows how the responsibilities for maintaining a safe environment will be achieved. However, several parts of this are not currently met. The proposed school does not comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This is because the fire risk assessment does not relate to the school building and some of the key points of consideration, such as the maximum occupancy figures, are not accurate. In addition, there are parts of the fire risk assessment with urgent actions that have not been completed. For example, the building does not have any fire extinguishers.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

There is a suitable first-aid policy in place. The school’s plans for the provision of first-aid trained staff are appropriate. There are appropriate systems in place for recording first aid and the administrations of medication.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proposed school’s staffing structure allows for suitable supervision of pupils. The proprietor has built in flexibility to allow for enhanced supervision of pupils, should they require it.

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Admissions and attendance

The proposed school has a suitable system in place for recording daily attendance. Leaders have an appropriate knowledge of the Department for Education’s (DfE) register codes. However, the admissions register template does not include all the required information as set out by the DfE.

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Risk assessment

There is a risk assessment policy in place. Leaders have a suitable understanding of the policy and take appropriate steps to identify and mitigate risks. Risk assessments seen were detailed and showed consideration for the types of needs that pupils may have. Each pupil will have an individual risk assessment.

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Risk assessment

The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the school is registered.

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

Safer recruitment procedures are not well understood. Some essential recruitment checks have not been completed for current staff because the proprietor was not aware of the requirement to do this. For example, prohibition from teaching and leadership and management checks are not in place.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has an electronic single central record in place. This record contains the checks made on school staff, but the proprietor has not been included. In addition, some checks have not been completed for any staff and are not present on the single central record, such as prohibition from teaching checks and those that relate to leadership and management.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are not likely to be met if the school is registered.

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and showers

The premises have suitable toilet and washing facilities for pupils to use. There are a suitable number of toilets for the proposed number of pupils. Toilets are individual occupancy and lockable from the inside.

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and showers

There are no shower facilities available for secondary-age pupils to use.

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and showers

The school has a large outdoor space that is suitable for physical education as well as recreation. Leaders have made sure that the outdoor space is suitable by putting in an all-weather ground surface.

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and showers

Drinking water is available for pupils during the school day. However, it is not clearly labelled.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

There is a suitable medical room for pupils to use. The room has a medical bed, a sink and is near toilet facilities. There is a first-aid kit in the room as well as storage for medication.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Most aspects of the school building are maintained to a high standard. There are systems and procedures in place to attend to any maintenance issues that may occur. There are regular checks of the premises with most actions followed up promptly. The proprietor has put suitable secure perimeter fencing in place along with lighting so that people can safely enter and exit the premises.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The building has been refurbished to a high standard. The classroom is well lit and the acoustics are appropriate. The proposed second classroom would also be the medical room, which would not meet the requirements of the standard.

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Outdoor space

There is a large safe outdoor space for pupils to use for leisure and physical education. The space is big enough for the proposed number of pupils on roll. Areas that pupils will use are separated from the car park.

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Outdoor space

The standards in this part are not likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school does not have a website. The required policies are available for parents and carers on request. The school has a brochure that contains relevant information to meet the requirements of the standards, such as information about the school and proprietor.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The school has suitable plans in place to share information with parents about their child’s development and progress.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

There is a suitable complaints policy in place. This sets out the procedures for handling complaints as well as the timescales. Leaders have made the necessary arrangements for members of an appeal panel to be separate from the leadership of the school, should this be required. There are suitable plans in place for the storage of complaints. The number of complaints in the preceding year will be made available on the complaints policy.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school did not have a completed accessibility plan available for the inspection.

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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 inspector spoke with the headteacher, the chair of governors and the chair of the proprietor body during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils at the school will have an education, health and care plan.

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About this inspection

The school aims to provide a small, nurturing environment for pupils who have had difficulties in mainstream education.

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About this inspection

The school does not intend to make use of any alternative provision for pupils.

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About this inspection

The school will operate from premises at 3-4 Barrington Close, Altrincham, Greater Manchester WA14 1JA.

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About this proposed school

Proprietor Altrincham Children’s Care Limited Headteacher John Shaughnessy Type of school Other Independent Special School Capacity 10 Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Provider’s proposal: 10 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: 10 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: 10 Age range of pupils

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Provider’s proposal: Mixed

Total hours operating as a school per week Provider’s proposal: 32.5 Total hours of teaching provided per week Provider’s proposal: 32.5 Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 4 Number of part-time teaching staff

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Provider’s proposal: 0

Annual fees for day pupils £68,250 Email address john@altrinchamchildrenscare.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 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;  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education; – 2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills; – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which-

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Part 1. Quality of Education provided

– 2(2)(d)(i) reflects the school’s aims and ethos; – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; – 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to- date careers guidance that- – 2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner; – 2(2)(e)(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options; and – 2(2)(e)(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential; – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; and – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.  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

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Part 1. Quality of Education provided

develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(b) fosters in pupils self-motivation, the application of intellectual, physical and creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught; – 3(f) utilised effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range; – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress;  4 The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that a

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Part 1. Quality of Education provided

framework for pupil performance to be evaluated, by reference to the school’s own aims as provided to parents or national norms, or to both, is in place.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor; – 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which- – 5(b)(i) enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self- confidence;

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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 or pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issues by the Secretary of State.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 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 persons 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)(iii) the person’s right to work in the United Kingdom; and – 18(2)(e) in the case of any person for whom, by reason of that person living

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

or have lived outside of the United Kingdom, obtaining such a certificate is not sufficient to establish the person’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks are made as the proprietor considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State; – 18(3) the checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and 2(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment.  20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual (“MB”), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, if- – 20(6)(a) MB- – 20(6)(a)(i) is not barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that individual is or will be engaging in activity which is regulated activity within the meaning of Part

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

1 of the Schedule 4 of that Act; and – 20(6)(a)(ii) does not carry out work, or intend 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 with such direction; – 20(6)(b) subject to sub-paragraphs (7) to (8), the Chair of the school makes the following checks relating to the MB- – 20(6)(b)(i) where relevant to the individual, an enhanced criminal record check; – 20(6)(b)(ii) checks confirming MB’s identity and MB’s right to work in the United Kingdom; and – 20(6)(b)(iii) where, by reason of MB’s living or having lived outside of the United Kingdom, obtaining an enhanced criminal record certificate is not sufficient to establish MB’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

as the Chair of the school considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State; – 20(6)(c) subject to sub-paragraph (8), where the Secretary of State makes a request for an enhanced criminal record check relating to MB to be made, such a check is made.  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(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is- – 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 section128 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 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

contained in such a direction. – 21(3)(a)(vii) a check of S’s right to work in the United Kingdom was made; and – 21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e) including the date on which each such check was completed or the certificate obtained; and – 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.  21(6) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation each member (“MB”) of a body of persons named as the proprietor appointed on or after 1 st May 2007, whether the checks referred to in paragraph 20(6)(b) were made, the date they were made and the date on which the resulting certificate was obtained.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 22(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.  28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 28(1)(c) cold water supplies that are suitable for drinking are clearly marked as such.

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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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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