Blackwater Academy Stourbridge

Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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Blackwater Academy Stourbridge 81 High Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 1EB

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inspection report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards when it opens

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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 is an experienced school leader. He has also ensured that school leaders have the skills and knowledge needed to ensure that the school meets the independent school standards consistently. There are clear processes in place to hold leaders to account, including through a governing body. Leaders belong to a wider network of linked independent schools who share their expertise and experience. They have spent time in these settings to deepen their skills and knowledge about how to meet the needs of the intended pupil cohort.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders have a clear vision. There is a shared commitment to providing highly personalised education for pupils who may have experienced significant disruption to their education before admission. Pupils may attend on short-, medium or long- term placements. Leaders know that many of their intended pupils will have a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). From the start of planning to open this school, they have considered how they can meet these Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

differing needs. The proposed school building was previously a bank. The proprietor has completed a detailed programme of refurbishment of the building to reconfigure it into the proposed school. The curriculum, policies and processes put in place prior to opening reflect a pupil-focused approach that suggests leaders’ vision will be realised.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proposed school is likely to meet the independent school standards (the standards) in this part if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

The school’s planned curriculum includes a broad range of subjects. It is designed to align with the curriculums that pupils may have been studying prior to joining the school. It includes English, mathematics, science, humanities and physical education. There is a carefully considered programme of additional curriculum days and enrichment activities to provide pupils with more bespoke learning, including creative and aesthetic learning opportunities. There is a comprehensive personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) curriculum that includes relationships, sex and health education, learning about careers, modern British society, mental wellbeing and character development. The proprietor intends that there will also be a vocational offer, including work placements, for those pupils who would benefit from this adaptation to the standard curriculum.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

The school intends to support those pupils who return to mainstream schooling by building on their existing knowledge. To support this, leaders have identified ways to assess pupils’ academic and personal development when they join the school. This includes detailed analysis of any gaps in pupils’ literacy or mathematical knowledge. These will be shared with teaching staff so that adaptations to learning can be made. There are appropriate intervention programmes in place to close these gaps, and to support any pupils who are not yet confident, fluent readers. Leaders are clear about how the curriculum will be adapted to meet the varying needs of pupils with SEND who may join the proposed school.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

The proprietor has ensured that teaching staff appointed have the subject knowledge to be able to deliver the intended curriculum effectively. Leaders are currently refining the curriculum documentation to help staff have a clearer understanding of the key knowledge pupils should be learning.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

There is a programme of professional learning in place to support teachers’ ongoing development. As the school is not yet open, teachers have been spending time at the other linked schools. This has included planning lessons, teaching Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

classes and receiving developmental feedback on their practice. They have been working with pupils with a range of SEND needs and learning how to adapt teaching to support these pupils.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

There are regular learning reviews built into the curriculum so that teachers and leaders can check how much progress pupils are making. These are also linked to the end of placement assessments that will support any pupils returning to mainstream education.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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pupils

The proprietor has put an effective and well-considered curriculum plan in place to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils who join the school. This also includes assemblies and daily form-time. There is a planned programme of enrichment activities, including museum visits and orienteering. Wednesday afternoons will be spent on enrichment activities that enable pupils to pursue their own areas of interest and achieve a linked qualification.

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pupils

Leaders’ vision is that pupils will leave the school able to make a successful contribution to their community and wider society. For example, it is intended that pupils will develop the necessary skills through taking part in the student council, collecting for the food bank and litter-picking in the local area.

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pupils

The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor has ensured that the proposed school’s safeguarding policy meets all necessary requirements. Leaders are knowledgeable about the safeguarding needs and vulnerabilities that may be faced by their proposed intake. They have put training in place to ensure that all staff are aware of the signs to look out for. There is an appropriate electronic system in place for recording any concerns and actions taken in response.

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Safeguarding

The proposed school is likely to meet this standard if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school. Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils, anti-bullying

There is an appropriate behaviour policy in place which is underpinned by clear expectations of pupils and processes for staff to follow. Leaders have considered how this policy can be adapted to meet specific needs of pupils with SEND. Those staff already employed by the proprietor have received training on supporting pupils’ behaviour.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils, anti-bullying

Leaders intend to employ 18 support staff. Most of these roles will be pupil- focused, for example, as mentors and teaching assistants. Until these staff are appointed, there are enough staff to provide appropriate supervision of pupils at the start and end of the day and at social times.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils, anti-bullying

Through the anti-bullying policy, and coverage of key themes within the PSHE curriculum, leaders have set out their ambition that bullying will not be tolerated here.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils, anti-bullying

The proposed school is likely to meet these standards if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has ensured that pupils’ safety, compliance with health and safety regulations and arrangements for first aid have been well thought through as part of the conversion of the building into the proposed school. The main part of the building has Grade 2 listed status. Any possible areas of risk to pupils’ safety have been identified and mitigated, for example additional screens to increase the height of balustrades on the landing and the addition of bars in front of sash windows.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

A fire risk assessment has been actioned appropriately, and the proposed school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proposed school is likely to meet these standards if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Admissions and attendance, Risk assessment

There are admissions and attendance registers in place which meet all requirements.

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Admissions and attendance, Risk assessment

The proprietor and leaders demonstrate an appropriate understanding of risk assessment and management. Risk assessments are completed with an Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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Admissions and attendance, Risk assessment

understanding of the intended pupil cohort and specific issues relating to the site, for example its location on a town centre high street.

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Admissions and attendance, Risk assessment

The proposed school is likely to meet these standards if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Admissions and attendance, Risk assessment

Overall, the proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has ensured that recruitment processes are robust. Leaders are knowledgeable about recruitment and were able to demonstrate the pre- employment checks that had been completed for staff who have already been employed for the proposed school.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

Leaders do not intend to use supply staff in the proposed school. However, they are aware of the checks that would need to be made if this changes.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

There is an appropriate electronic record kept of all recruitment checks that take place.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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needs

There are toilets for pupils on both the ground and first floors. These include separate toilets for boys and girls upstairs and a supply of hot and cold water at an appropriate temperature. There is a shower in the accessible toilet. Physical education will be delivered at a local leisure centre and there is a risk assessment in place for pupils to use the showers there.

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needs

Drinking water is available to pupils at water stations on each floor. Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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needs

The school has a spacious medical room with appropriate washing facilities. It is located in close proximity to a pupil toilet.

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needs

The proposed school is likely to meet these standards if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils, lighting and acoustic

The building has been carefully repurposed and refurbished. It provides an appropriate learning environment for pupils’ academic and social development. There are regular checks on the condition of all areas of the site. Due to its location on a town centre high street, leaders have put in place additional security measured on the front entrance. There is external lighting in place to ensure that pupils, staff and visitors can enter and exit the building safely.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils, lighting and acoustic

The proposed school contains flexible spaces that can be used to meet the differing needs of pupils. For example, the ground floor has been purposely designed to be fully wheelchair-accessible and contains the full range of learning and social spaces needed by any pupil.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils, lighting and acoustic

Classrooms are suitable for learning. There are two classrooms without external windows on the ground floor, but they have adequate internal lighting and good ventilation. They are furnished to encourage flexibility in teaching methods and groupings. All classrooms have appropriate acoustic conditions to support effective learning.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils, lighting and acoustic

There is an outdoor space to the rear of the school building. It is enclosed and there is space to play and socialise. However, leaders know that it will not be large enough to accommodate all pupils at the same time, for example, for breaktimes, when they reach capacity. There are plans to move to staggered social times when required by growing pupil numbers. The outdoor space is augmented by indoor spaces for use at social times, including the playing of pool and table football.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils, lighting and acoustic

The proposed school is likely to meet these standards if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils, lighting and acoustic

Overall, the proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has ensured that there is a draft website ready for when the proposed school opens. It contains all of the required information to meet the independent school standards.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Until the website is published, any interested parties, including local authorities interested in commissioning places at the school, can obtain the information by contacting the proposed school. Although not open to pupils, the site is open, including reception and administrative staff.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school is likely to meet the standards in this part 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 that meets all requirements. The policy includes a useful flow chart to help parents and carers understand the process. Leaders have established a confidential system for recording and analysing complaints.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proposed school is likely to meet the standard in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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The school's accessibility plan

There is a written accessibility plan in place that meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

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

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About this inspection

Inspectors spoke with the proprietor, headteacher, other leaders and a governor during the inspection. They also spoke with a group of teaching staff. Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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About this inspection

The proposed school is not yet open to pupils. As such, there was no teaching observed or pupils spoken to.

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About this inspection

The proposed school intends to admit 70 pupils over time. It intends to provide education for pupils with: cognitive and learning needs; speech, language and communication needs; autistic spectrum disorder; social, emotional and mental health needs; physical disabilities; moderate learning difficulties and specific learning difficulties.

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About this inspection

The proposed school will offer short-, medium- and long-term placements to pupils.

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About this inspection

The proposed school does not intend to make use of alternative provision.

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About this inspection

The proposed school will have a sole proprietor.

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About this inspection

The proposed school will operate from 81 High Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 1EB.

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About this proposed school

Proprietor BWA Stourbridge Ltd Headteacher William Bratt Type of school Other Independent School Capacity 70 Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Provider's proposal: 70

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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 Provider's proposal: 70

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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: 15

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About this proposed school

Age range of pupils Provider's proposal: 11-16 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: 25 Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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About this proposed school

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Provider's proposal: 10

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About this proposed school

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider's proposal: 0 Annual fees for day pupils £19,950 - £47,000 Email address will.bratt@blackwateracademy.co.uk Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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About this proposed school

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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About this proposed school

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About this proposed school

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About this proposed school

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

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