Blackwater Academy Stourbridge

Overview: The proposed Blackwater Academy Stourbridge is likely to meet all the independent school standards when it opens, with a clear vision for providing highly personalised education for pupils who may have experienced significant disruption to their education.

Strengths:

• Leaders have a clear vision for providing highly personalised education for pupils who may have experienced significant disruption to their education.
• The proposed school building has been carefully repurposed and refurbished to provide an appropriate learning environment for pupils' academic and social development.
• Leaders have put in place a pupil-focused approach, including a broad range of subjects, a comprehensive personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) curriculum, and enrichment activities.
• The proprietor has ensured that teaching staff appointed have the subject knowledge to deliver the intended curriculum effectively.
• The proposed school has a suitable complaints policy and a written accessibility plan that meets the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

Areas to improve: The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding: The proprietor has ensured that the proposed school's safeguarding policy meets all necessary requirements, and leaders are knowledgeable about the safeguarding needs and vulnerabilities that may be faced by their proposed intake.