£28,000-a-year school found to be ‘inadequate’

A £28,000-a-year Birmingham private school has been found to be “inadequate” by Ofsted.

Future First independent school in Hockley is inadequate in all categories of inspection and does not meet independent school standards, the regulatory body reported.

Ofsted’s detailed report criticises the school’s neglect of reading and its unsafe environment.

It found checks on performance and compliance to be insufficient, as are teaching skills for pupils with special educational needs.

Furthermore, the school is not meeting statutory requirements for relationship and sex education (RSE). The report states: “The curriculum is not fit for purpose.

“Leaders have not given enough attention to what staff need to teach and the order in which it needs to be taught. This means that learning is disconnected and is not taught in a logical order that helps pupils to learn.

“Statutory guidance for relationships and sex education (RSE) has not been implemented. The school does not have a RSE policy outlining the school’s approach and practice.

“While pupils have learned about healthy relationships, their comments and behaviour towards peers and staff are not reflective of this.”

Future First was established in 2004 as part of the charitable outreach of the Birmingham Community Venture (BCV) project.

It was formally registered with the Department for Education (DfE) in 2007 to provide education and support for 12 students who have been excluded from, or who refused to attend, mainstream education.

Currently, there are 19 pupils enrolled between the ages of 13 and 18. However, Ofsted’s report states several pupils attending the school are below the minimum registered age.

It states: “The school is operating outside its registration agreement with the Department for Education (DfE). The work of the proprietor is not effective. A number of key school policies and development plans are based on the work of other providers. This means that identified actions are not relevant to the school and will not secure improvement.

“The curriculum is poorly planned and does not build on what pupils already know.

“Pupils who experience additional barriers to learning do not do as well as they could.”

Currently, annual fees for Future First school, per pupil, are £28,225 per year. No comment was forthcoming from the school.