Novaturient School

Novaturient School, 16 July 2026 1 Novaturient School 22 Euston Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 1EA

p.1

report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet some, but not all of, the relevant independent school standards if the material changes relating to the school provision are implemented.

p.1

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 age range of pupils (from 11 to 16 to 9 to 19), add additional pupils (from 23 to 73) and add additional premises.

p.1

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 (ISS) that are relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

p.1

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 ISS first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the ISS 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.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders have a strong vision for the school, wanting to support further pupils at either side of the current age range. They have invested in a comprehensive vocational offer to further engage pupils in education who may be unlikely to attend a fully classroom-based offer.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor offers training and development through their other businesses. The proprietor is fully committed to training teachers and having more qualified Novaturient School, 16 July 2026 2 teachers employed. Leaders understand the implications of growing the school and have the right intentions of ensuring staff are employed and trained before pupils are taken on roll.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Staff are positive about working in the school. The previous inspection report noted how most pupils enjoyed school and felt included.

p.2

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The investment in developing the additional site, together with improvements made to the original site, mean that the school has full capacity for the increased numbers in the long term.

p.2

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The systems and curriculums in place for key stage 4 are being extended to key stage 5 in a way that is transferable and achievable, given that most of the curriculum and activities offered will be the same.

p.2

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

However, leaders have not considered the provision for key stage 2 well enough. There are no clear objectives or sequences of what to teach other than in mathematics and personal, social and health education (PSHE). There is no consideration yet of how pupils will learn about the world around them and experience a broad and balanced curriculum, including aesthetic and creative education.

p.2

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met for students aged 11 to 19, but not met for pupils aged 9 to 11, should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

p.2

Curriculum

The school has developed its vocational offer with the addition of Sequentis House. The workshop and computer technology facilities are already in use, offering a wide range of opportunities, such as 3D printing and laser cutting. There are well developed provisions almost ready to be in use for physical education, music technology, catering and horticulture study.

p.2

Curriculum

Leaders intend that the key stage 5 provision (for pupils aged 16 to 19) will build on what they already offer in key stage 4. This provision will be for students who are not ready to move on to larger sixth-form colleges. Leaders intend that the curriculum structure will be similar to what is offered in key stage 4, with a large proportion of the week focused on vocational learning. Students will work towards qualifications in areas such as construction and motor vehicle maintenance. Leaders intend that, as in key stage 4 currently, there will also be regular English, mathematics and PSHE lessons. The curriculum will be enhanced by regular ‘drop Novaturient School, 16 July 2026 3 down days’, for example recently based around ‘The Titanic’ and a day celebrating David Attenborough’s birthday. These will help pupils experience a wider curriculum, including languages and art.

p.2

Curriculum

Leaders have not yet thought through in enough detail what pupils aged 9 to 11 will learn. They state that they will follow pupils’ interests and academic levels, but there is no structure in place that the curriculum will be built around. The school has not properly considered the objectives that pupils will work towards. There is no structure in place for how primary-aged pupils will experience a broad and balanced curriculum. The limited objectives identified have too much emphasis on working towards final qualifications at age 16, rather than pupils’ wider educational experiences. The key stage 2 plans need further development before the school will be ready to admit younger pupils.

p.3

Curriculum

Leaders intend that up to 20 of the pupils admitted will start as part time. These pupils will be those who are currently not attending any provision or whose attendance is exceptionally low. They will work with staff one to one, building up engagement in activities that they enjoy. Leaders have successfully used this approach with pupils at their other school, with pupils successfully building up attendance and gaining qualifications. This programme is regularly reviewed with the local authority to ensure that pupils are increasing their hours in education.

p.3

Curriculum

The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met for students aged 11 to 19. They are likely to be not met for pupils aged 9 to 11, should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

p.3

pupils

The school uses resources from an established charity for its PSHE lessons. All pupils have regular PSHE and citizenship lessons. Pupils’ work shows that they make appropriate progress through this curriculum. Leaders intend to expand the use of these resources to both key stages 2 and 5.

p.3

pupils

Leaders intend that students in key stage 5 will access similar opportunities to those in key stage 4. They have a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including a yearly trip to Morocco. Pupils take part in community-focused activities, such as fundraising for charities. Leaders have thought about how they will adapt activities to give key stage 5 students more independence.

p.3

pupils

The wider provision in the school met the standards for this part at the previous inspection. As the plans for key stage 5 mirror what is in place in the wider school, these standards are likely to be met for students aged 11 to 19, should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes. Novaturient School, 16 July 2026 4 For pupils in key stage 2, there is not enough consideration, beyond the PSHE curriculum, about what pupils will learn. There is no plan about how pupils will learn about life beyond the classroom, other cultures and life in modern Britain. The standards are not likely to be met for pupils aged 9 to 11, should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

p.3

Safeguarding

There are appropriate safeguarding arrangements in place. There are several staff trained as safeguarding leaders, and they liaise appropriately with the local authorities as required. Staff have regular safeguarding training and make appropriate records of any behaviour or concerns. There are daily briefings for all staff to share information as relevant. Weekly leaders’ meetings ensure that actions taken are reviewed and further support for pupils or their families is identified.

p.4

Safeguarding

The school intends that up to twenty of the proposed additional places will be for pupils who are currently not in education or have exceptionally low attendance. The safeguarding of these pupils has been directly considered. The intended initial programme is a daily hour of engagement with school staff. The intention is that they develop positive relationships with staff before building up time and being able to attend the school site and engage with the same curriculum offer as others.

p.4

Safeguarding

The safeguarding policy is available on the school website and follows current government guidance as issued by the Secretary of State.

p.4

Safeguarding

The relevant standards are likely to be met if the proposed changes are agreed.

p.4

Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The school currently has appropriate numbers of staff to enable good supervision of pupils. The proposed increase in numbers is large in proportion to current numbers, from 23 to 73. There is plenty of space over the two sites to accommodate this number of pupils. However, leaders know that the increase must be done gradually to ensure that newly recruited staff have the appropriate knowledge of how to support pupils. They know that they will have to further develop systems, such as briefings, so that good practice, including safeguarding, is not lost with larger numbers.

p.4

Behaviour and supervision of pupils

Leaders intend to grow numbers slowly, proposing a maximum of four new pupils across their sites every term. They intend that up to twenty of the pupils will start Novaturient School, 16 July 2026 5 on the part-time programme, but that there will be a maximum of three pupils initially taking part in this so that staff have appropriate training and support.

p.4

Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The behaviour systems already in place will support promoting positive behaviour for all ages.

p.5

Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The relevant standards are likely to be met if the proposed changes are agreed.

p.5

Health and safety

Leaders have ensured that comprehensive risk assessments have been completed for the vocational aspects of the curriculum, including hazardous tools and materials. The health and safety policies and practices are detailed and appropriate.

p.5

Health and safety

Leaders have sought advice from the local authority about the site and acted on all their recommendations, so that the site is safe and appropriate for pupils. There are clear, signed fire exits in place across both sites. Regular checks are made on the fire safety equipment and exit routes.

p.5

Health and safety

The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

p.5

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

All appropriate checks have been made on staff, supply staff and the advisory body, for example the person’s identity, medical fitness and their right to work in the UK. The records of these are well maintained. Leaders have a good understanding of the risk assessments that they might have to undertake before a member of staff begins their employment.

p.5

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

All staff receive regular safeguarding training. Leaders have been trained in safer recruitment. The procedures for training new members of staff are robust.

p.5

The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record is accurate and well maintained. It contains all the necessary and relevant information.

p.5

The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes. Novaturient School, 16 July 2026 6

p.5

and showers

Both the original building and the new site have appropriate toilet and washing facilities for pupils and members of staff. Drinking water is appropriately labelled. There are spacious shower rooms with space to change if needed.

p.6

Medical room

Both the sites have rooms that solely exist as medical rooms. They have beds, running water and are situated close to toilet facilities.

p.6

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proprietor ensures that regular checks are made on the building so that pupils’ welfare is not put at risk. Systems, such as labelled tool boards, help keep pupils safe when using hazardous tools in the workshop area. Comprehensive risk assessments are kept up to date for all the activities that the school provides.

p.6

Lighting and acoustic conditions

All areas that are intended for classrooms have natural lighting. This has been enhanced in some rooms by lighting that mimics natural light. All areas of the school are appropriate acoustically. Clear window panels have been installed on doors at Sequentis House, for safeguarding reasons, but also enhance the lighting in the corridors. Where there is greater noise, for example in the workshop, appropriate ear protection is provided. External emergency lighting is in place.

p.6

Outdoor space

The original site has a grassed garden, with planting areas, directly accessible from the inside area intended for use by key stage 2 pupils. The school also has direct access to a larger field behind the school.

p.6

Outdoor space

The Sequentis House site is bordered by an industrial estate. Appropriate fencing has been put in place to keep pupils safe. The outside area is still in development, but well under way. There will be a separately fenced astroturf area for games and exercise. There is a large area with polytunnel and an outside classroom (converted from a mobile home) for development of horticulture and small animal studies.

p.6

Outdoor space

The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes. Novaturient School, 16 July 2026 7

p.6

Part 6. Provision of information

All appropriate policies are shared on the school’s website. This includes, for example, the safeguarding policy.

p.7

Part 6. Provision of information

The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

p.7

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. Inspector 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.

p.7

About this inspection

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

p.7

About this inspection

Inspectors spoke with the headteacher, other members of staff and the proprietor during the inspection. They considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements (including that the policy available to parents and carers). They checked the single central record of pre-employment checks. They toured both the registered and the proposed new premises.

p.7

About this inspection

The proprietor is PCT Children’s Services Ltd, owned by Michael Millage.

p.7

About this inspection

The school has applied to the Department for Education (DfE) to make a material change to its registration. At the DfE’s request, inspectors checked whether the school is likely to meet the relevant ISS if the DfE decides to approve the change. This part of the inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002.

p.7

About this inspection

The changes proposed are to:  increase the capacity of the school from 23 to 73 pupils  register Sequentis House as a second site for the school  increase the age range of the school to 9 to 19 years

p.7

About this inspection

The registered address of the school is: Novaturient House, 22 Euston Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1EA. The address of the second site is: Sequentis House, Unit 1, North River Road, Runham, Great Yarmouth NR30 1TE. Novaturient School, 16 July 2026 8

p.7

About this school

Proprietor Michael Millage Headteacher Gary Corbett Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 23

p.8

compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £51,330 Email address gary@pctcare.co.uk Novaturient School, 16 July 2026 9 providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.

p.8

compulsory school age on roll

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

compulsory school age on roll

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

compulsory school age on roll

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

p.9