SEE (Oldham)

SEE (Oldham) Argent House, Shaw Road, Oldham OL1 4AW

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented

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report:

This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), which is the registration authority for independent schools. The school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration. The school proposes to change the maximum number of pupils attending.

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report:

The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out material change inspections of independent schools, we report on the school’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 (the 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 leaders articulate a clear vision for the proposed new site. They demonstrate a thorough understanding of the range of pupils’ needs who will attend the school. They have developed a well-considered and structured plan to implement the material change, ensuring that both staff and pupils receive effective support as numbers increase over time. Leaders will actively draw on their own experience of working in similar provisions. They will apply this expertise to ensure that the standards are met consistently and sustained. Leaders have established a clear leadership structure with effective and well- defined lines of accountability. This enables the proprietor to maintain robust oversight across both the existing and the new proposed school site locations. The proprietor has ensured that appropriate governance arrangements at the proposed site mirror those already in place at the current school. This supports consistency

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders place a significant emphasis on pupils’ wellbeing. They integrate this into all aspects of their planning for the proposed additional site. For example, they will allocate each pupil with a named key worker to support their transition into school and to provide consistent guidance through the school day. The proprietor and school leaders will develop opportunities for pupils to build self-worth through a range of leadership and ambassador roles. This will include ambassador roles for promoting healthy lifestyles. Furthermore, they will work with parents and carers to ensure a coordinated approach to support pupils’ wellbeing both at school and at home. Through this collaborative and proactive approach, the proprietor and school leaders aim to strengthen pupils’ engagement, confidence and overall attitude towards education.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The school is likely to meet the standards if the material change is approved.

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Safeguarding

The school’s arrangements for safeguarding are published on the school’s website. They are thorough and aligned with current legislation and guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Alongside this, the school’s safeguarding policy reflects the needs of pupils currently admitted, as well as those who will be admitted at the proposed site. This ensures consistency and responsiveness to the local context.

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Safeguarding

The school maintains clear procedures for staff to report concerns. The designated safeguarding leads provide regular, appropriate training to ensure that staff remain vigilant in identifying safeguarding issues. Staff act promptly and report concerns without delay. Daily briefings keep staff informed of changes in pupils’ circumstances and provide relevant safeguarding updates. Pupils also receive a range of opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe, including online. They know how to raise concerns with trusted staff. This approach is intended to continue at the proposed new additional site.

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Health and safety, fire and supervision

The proprietor and school leaders demonstrate a secure commitment to health and safety. This is through the implementation of a comprehensive policy that complies with a wide range of health and safety legislation. This includes the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Leaders have ensured that a fire risk assessment has been completed at the existing and proposed additional site, maintaining full compliance and supporting the ongoing safety of the school environment.

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Health and safety, fire and supervision

The proprietor and school leaders actively prioritise pupils’ welfare by putting robust supervision arrangements in place through the school day. They maintain high staff-to-pupil ratios in both classroom settings and during breaktimes. This effectively reduces risk and ensures that pupils are appropriately supervised. Leaders intend that the proposed new additional site will mirror the current arrangements at the existing main school site.

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Risk assessment

The school implements a clear and well-founded risk assessment policy supported by effective procedures that ensure that risk assessments are completed consistently and robustly. Risk assessments identify potential hazards, and leaders ensure that appropriate control measures are in place to reduce or mitigate identified risks.

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Risk assessment

Staff apply individual pupils’ risk assessments effectively to support pupils’ needs and manage identified risks. Leaders intend to replicate this practice at the proposed additional site for pupils who require individualised risk assessments.

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Risk assessment

The proprietor and school leaders ensure that enough staff complete first-aid training, including for the additional site. The school maintains clear and reliable procedures for recording any use of physical intervention, ensuring transparency. This includes reporting any incidents swiftly to parents.

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Risk assessment

The school is likely to meet the standards checked in this part if the material change is approved.

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

The proprietor understands all the necessary checks required for staff to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. He has ensured that identified staff have completed safer recruitment training, including staff at the proposed additional site. The school does not intend to use supply staff. However, the proprietor and school leaders are aware of the requirements should this become necessary.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The school has in place an electronic single central record which effectively records all the required checks on staff, leaders, governors and the proprietor.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is approved.

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and showers

Toilet and washing facilities are appropriate and meet the required standard. The existing and proposed additional sites have sufficient water points, with hot and cold water available. The water is actively regulated to ensure it does not pose a scalding risk to staff or pupils. Multiple drinking-water points are clearly provided across both the current and proposed new site. It is clearly indicated if the water is not suitable for drinking. Pupils have access to suitable changing facilities and showers, which they could use throughout the school day.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

Leaders maintain a well-equipped medical room that is always available to support pupils who are unwell. They provide a bed, blanket and pillow to ensure that pupils can rest comfortably and recover safely when needed. This is available at both sites. There are first-aid kits in the medical rooms for convenient use. This enables staff to respond promptly and effectively to minor injuries and medical needs. Nearby toilets are also available for pupils.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Leaders have remodelled the proposed additional site to a high standard, ensuring it is fully fit for purpose, secure and well suited to supporting pupils’ needs. They have designed the range of rooms intentionally to promote positive outcomes for pupils. For example, a well-planned communal space enables pupils to socialise appropriately with peers and staff. Classrooms are designed to support the proprietor’s intention of delivering teaching to small groups of pupils. There is adequate suitable space for pupils who need time away from the classroom to learn effectively or to regulate their emotions.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Leaders have created a bright and airy learning environment across the existing and proposed additional school premises. Leaders intend that pupils in the proposed new site will benefit from natural light throughout the building They have carefully designed each room so that acoustics are not compromised. Electric internal and external lighting is suitable.

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Outdoor space

Leaders intend to make use of a large indoor space at the proposed additional site, deploying it flexibly to support a range of activities, including physical education. Social times are to be organised in these areas, ensuring that pupils benefit from a safe, structured environment that promotes positive interaction and effective adult supervision. The proposed additional site has an adequately sized outdoor space, ensuring all pupils have access to outdoor play opportunities. Both indoor and outdoor areas across both premises are generally well maintained and well presented.

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Outdoor space

The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is approved.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, 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

This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to check on the school’s compliance with the relevant standards if the school increased the number of pupils from 25 to 56 and used new additional premises.

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About this inspection

Inspectors spoke with the proprietor, director, headteacher and head of school at the proposed new school site. He also spoke with a group of staff and pupils. He conducted a tour of the school, including the proposed new additional site. He checked a range of documentation including various risk assessments, fire safety compliance and the school’s single central record. The school is located at Argent House, Shaw Road, Oldham OL1 4AW. The proposed new additional school site is located at Portland School, Welbeck Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne OL6 7QZ.

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Chair of the proprietor body

SEE (Oldham) CIC Gregory Cookson Headteacher Elizabeth Smith Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 25

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £45,000 to £65,000 Email address greg.cookson@outlook.com 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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compulsory school age on roll

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compulsory school age on roll

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compulsory school age on roll

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