R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre

R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre, 23 April 2026 1 R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre 334 Bordesley Green Road, Birmingham, West Midlands B8 1BY

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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 its premises.

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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 proprietors of this setting are the headteacher and her deputy. They have an appropriate understanding of their responsibilities with respect to the standards. They maintain secure oversight of the work of the school through checks and reviews of their employees work and the impact of policies and procedures on pupils. This includes the safeguarding of pupils where the proprietors have a clear R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre, 23 April 2026 2 understanding of safeguarding requirements and practice. They regularly update how the school operates to keep pupils safe. The proprietor has carefully considered the suitability of proposed new school site and taken appropriate measures to ensure that the standards will continue to be met when the school relocates.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The standards checked are likely to be met should the material change be approved.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor has ensured that there are appropriate designated safeguarding leads in the school. They are knowledgeable about their roles and the pupils. There is close liaison with parents and carers and external agencies. Records of safeguarding concerns are detailed and allow leaders to have a clear overview of individual pupils. Pupils feel safe in the school. They learn how to keep themselves safe, including online. They have confidence that adults in the setting will help them should they have a concern. The school has appropriate filtering and monitoring of the internet. The school’s safeguarding policy is published on the school's website. Recruitment practices and records reflect current statutory guidance. The school understands its duty to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service, under section 35 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. Staff know how to report any concerns about an adult working in the school.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The school has a detailed health and safety policy. This includes consideration of pupils’ individual needs. There is suitable provision for pupils’ first aid requirements supported by detailed record keeping. The proprietor has appropriate regard for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. An external review of fire safety equipment at the new building has been completed. The proposed new site has been fitted with appropriate smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and fire doors.

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Risk assessment

The material change will involve the school relocating to a self-contained floor within a modern Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) building. The proprietor has completed risk assessments for the new building which is being updated in liaison with the YMCA centre manager. The proprietor recognises the importance of ensuring that all potential risks are identified and mitigated because the proposed school building will be a shared site. Appropriate actions are in place to reduce the risks. These include access to and use of a play area which will be shared with residents. The risk assessments consider pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities. R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre, 23 April 2026 3

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and showers

The proposed new building is modern. It offers appropriate toilet and washing facilities for pupils and adults. The school will be located on an upper floor in a self-contained area with no access from other residents of the YMCA. Within the building, the school will have timetabled exclusive access to a gymnasium and showering facilities. There are appropriate checks on the water supply.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils' therapy needs

The school has designated one room as a medical room. There is appropriate access to washing facilities and a nearby toilet. The facilities are appropriate to manage pupils’ therapy needs.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proprietor has ensured that appropriate procedures and systems are in place for the new building to secure the health and safety of pupils and staff. The proprietor takes suitable actions to identify risks and works closely with the centre manager for the YMCA to ensure that the proposed building is suitable for the school.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The proposed new building is modern and has ample natural light across the rooms which the school proposes to use. There are appropriate additional electric lights in place, including on the corridor and staircase. Acoustic conditions are suitable for use as a school. There is external lighting to ensure that pupils, staff and visitors can access the school safely.

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Outdoor space

The proposed new school site will have shared use of a pleasant, grassed play area towards the rear of the YMCA building. The proprietor has carefully considered the access to this part of the YMCA building because it will pass through shared spaces, a pathway adjacent to the YMCA car park, and the access road. Staff will always escort pupils as they go to and from the outdoor space and supervise them during their use of the outdoor space. The YMCA centre manager has started to fence off a section of the play area for the sole use of the school’s pupils. R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre, 23 April 2026 4

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The school's accessibility plan

The school has an appropriate accessibility plan considering the needs of the pupils and the new school site.

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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. 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 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

The school intends to move to new premises located at YMCA Building, 301 Reservoir Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 6DF. The inspection was commissioned by the DfE to determine if these premises are suitable to meet the independent school standards.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the proprietors and some staff and pupils during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspector reviewed records for safeguarding, considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks, toured the school’s proposed new premises and reviewed a number of policies and intended systems and processes for managing the school at the new premises as well as those at the current premises.

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About this inspection

The school provides education for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with a particular focus on those with social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.

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About this inspection

The school uses one unregistered alternative provision.

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About this inspection

The school now has a website which is available to parents and carers: https://ryanvc.academy/

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Lead inspector

Andrew Madden His Majesty's Inspector R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre, 23 April 2026 5

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About this school

Proprietors Catherine Harris and Abdul Monaim Headteacher Catherine Harris Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 20

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 14 to 19 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £45,000 to £65,000 Email address atikul.hoque@ryanvc.academy R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre, 23 April 2026 6 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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