Penarth Group School

Overview

This material change inspection assessed whether Penarth Group School would meet independent school standards if its pupil capacity increased from 15 to 27. The inspector concluded that the school is “likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented.” The report confirms that current systems for welfare, staffing, and premises are robust and suitable for the proposed expansion.

Strengths

• Safeguarding policies are “published on the website,” “regularly reviewed,” and reflect “the most recent statutory guidance.”
• Staff recruitment processes are secure, with a compliant single central record and “safer recruitment training” for key staff.
• Premises are “clean and tidy,” with a new building “purpose designed and built with pupils’ needs in mind.”
• Leadership demonstrates “an ambition for continual improvement,” using external consultants to provide “an additional layer of challenge.”
• Risk assessments are comprehensive, covering “all aspects of the provision” and considering “pupils’ individual needs.”

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The report states that those responsible for safeguarding have the necessary training and that the policy contains “detailed information about the school’s approach to protecting pupils from harm.”