Metcalf, Paul

Digital Education Resource Archive

  Advice note for a pre-registration inspection of an academy/free school/studio school/university technical college (UTC)  School name Ditton Park Academy Unique reference number (URN) 1693 Inspection number 446918 Inspection dates 30 June 2014 Reporting inspector Paul Metcalf       The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. 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 copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user. Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M1 2WD   T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090080  © Crown copyright 2013      Advice note for a pre-registration inspection to a new academy/free school/studio school/ university technical college (UTC)   3 Information about the inspection This inspection was conducted by Ofsted at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. It was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.1   Context of the school Ditton Park Academy plans to open in September 2014 as a mixed 11 to 18 comprehensive school to meet the need for additional places in Slough and in response to parental demand for a school closer to their homes. The school is sponsored by the Slough Association of Secondary Headteachers (SASH) who have collaborated to open a new school with an emphasis on ‘developing confident and responsible students who contribute to the local community of Slough and are well placed to become future leaders’.  The intention is to offer 120 places for Year 7 students in the first year and a further 180 places each year to a maximum capacity of 1,100 including a sixth form. Students will work towards a range of qualifications including traditional academic and high-quality vocational qualifications with additional enrichment activities to complement their learning. The development of high-level literacy, numeracy, creative and problem-solving skills will be a priority.   Compliance with the regulations Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils The school is likely to meet all of the regulations, but implementation could not be seen. The school intends to provide an education that provides students with opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour, a positive caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation and tolerance of the diversity and richness of other beliefs and cultures. Students will learn to differentiate between right and wrong, and understand their rights and responsibilities and the need to respect the civil law and the rights of others. The school intends to implement the citizenship course and to work closely with the local community to ensure that students can understand and access all the institutions and services that are available to them in Slough and nationally. The school will offer support and guidance in making this process accessible and easier to understand. Staff will model and promote expected behaviour, treating all people as valuable individuals and showing respect for students and their families. The planned curriculum for personal, social, health, citizenship and economic education (PSHCEE) will focus on personal well-being, economic awareness and citizenship education. The curriculum is mapped to the National Curriculum programmes of study as well as                                             1 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/25/section/99   Advice note for a pre-registration inspection of a new academy/free school/studio school/ university technical college (UTC)  4 the Every Child Matters agenda. Aspects of sex, relationship and drugs education will be delivered through PSHCEE and the school will actively promote cultural diversity and British values through specifically designed modules of work. Enrichment activities already planned include a range of specific interest clubs as well as theatre workshops, karate, golf and chess, and involvement in community work and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Political views and issues will be presented in a balanced way so as to avoid any partisan bias. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Documentary evidence suggests that all the regulations are likely to be met but implementation could not be seen. The school has produced a very large number of policy documents including anti-bullying, behaviour management, child protection, safeguarding, and health and safety. The Principal is the school’s designated child protection officer and has received suitable training for this responsibility. Child protection and safeguarding policies confirm the school’s commitment to raising awareness of child protection issues, establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop, and promoting a climate where children and adults feel confident about sharing any concerns which they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others. The Principal has successfully completed a course on safer recruitment in education and safer recruitment practices have been applied to the recruitment of all staff. The school has booked places for staff on first-aid and safeguarding training courses prior to the school’s opening, so that requirements are likely to be met. Policies have been prepared for all required aspects of health and safety and a fire safety risk assessment has been initiated with checks by an external organisation to be carried out before the school opens so that requirements are likely to be met. Admission and attendance registers are likely to meet requirements. The equal opportunities policy and a three-year action plan to develop access identify how the school will create an ethos in which all students and staff are free to achieve their potential irrespective of their race, religion, gender, disability, personal orientation, culture or values.    Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors  The school’s checks on the suitability of staff, including enhanced criminal record checks and checks against the DfE list 99, indicate that all regulations are likely to be met. Details have been recorded, checked and dated on a suitable single central register covering all staff, governors and Trustees. The school does not intend to employ supply staff but is aware of its responsibilities should the need arise in the future.     Advice note for a pre-registration inspection to a new academy/free school/studio school/ university technical college (UTC)   5  Premises of and accommodation at the school The school is likely to meet all of the regulations. The school is to be temporarily located in the premises previously occupied by Thames Valley University. The refurbished building will comprise four classrooms and a room for information technology as well as additional space for assemblies, dining, sports and drama. Classrooms will be flexible so as to accommodate science, technology and art lessons. Discussion with the Principal and a review of the plans confirm that sufficient regard has been given to health and safety and security of the site. The building has suitable access for disabled students and a medical room has been identified for medical examinations or for students who may be ill. There are sufficient staff and student toilets. Tenders have been received to provide school meals and the arrangements for the provision of outside games with changing facilities are acceptable. An order has been collated for suitable furniture, fixtures and fittings. The premises are likely to meet the requirements for heating, lighting, ventilation, decoration and flooring. Water supplies, including safely regulated hot water and a labelled supply of drinking water, are likely to meet requirements. For September 2015, a new purpose-built school will be constructed on the Castle View site.  Provision of information The provision is likely to meet all regulations.    Manner in which complaints are to be handled The provision is likely to meet all regulations.   Recommendation to the Department for Education Registration Is registration recommended?  YES. This school is likely to meet all regulations when it opens and is recommended for registration.    Recommended number of day pupils: 1,100 Recommended number of boarders: 0 Recommended age range: 11–18  Advice note for a pre-registration inspection of a new academy/free school/studio school/ university technical college (UTC)  6 Recommended gender of pupils: Mixed Recommended type of special educational needs: Not applicable. 

Advice note for a pre-registration inspection of an academy/free school/studio school/university technical college (UTC): Ditton Park Academy

https://dera.ioe.ac.uk//21279/1/Ditton_Park_Academy_Ofsted_Advice_Note.pdf

Advice note for a pre-registration inspection of an academy/free school/studio school/university technical college (UTC): Ditton Park Academy

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Digital Education Resource Archive