New SEND school rated 'inadequate' by inspectors

The school was registered by the Department for Education (DfE) in September 2024.

A new special needs school in Leicester has been judged "inadequate" by inspectors.

Ofsted's June inspection at Spark Vale Academy in Melton Road concluded the school had not considered the full scope of its safeguarding duties, including "measures to prevent pupils from leaving the building unnoticed".

Proprieter Mital Thanki said the inspection took place three months before the school admitted its first pupils, which was why four areas were recorded as having insufficient evidence.

Ofsted said the inspection had been requested by the Department for Education.

'Needs not considered'

The school is for pupils aged 11 to 18 and is registered to admit 45 pupils. All pupils are likely to have an education, health and care plan.

The new head teacher, Katie James was appointed in April, a few weeks before the inspection took place.

During its inspection, Ofsted looked at five broad areas at the school, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and sixth-form provision.

In a report, inspectors said they found leadership and management inadequate and insufficient evidence in the other four areas, adding Spark Vale did not meet the standard for independent schools.

Inspectors also said the school's ambition for pupils to 'belong, grow and thrive' was not fully realised because its curriculum "does not adequately consider the specific needs and aptitudes of the pupils who are likely to attend".

They noted that the school had been in operation "for a short time, albeit with no pupils", adding: "Until recently, the proprietor was also the headteacher. A new leadership structure has provided further capacity, however, there remains uncertainty regarding leaders' roles and responsibilities at the school, including at governance level."

Reflected 'early stage'

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, proprieter Ms Thanki said the inspection was helpful and gave staff "valuable early feedback" they have used to "refine our policies and sharpen systems".

"The Ofsted inspection took place at the beginning of June, three months before the school admitted its first pupils," she said.

"At that stage, we were still preparing the buildings and finalising the curriculum for September, which is why many of the judgements were recorded as 'insufficient evidence'.

"There were no pupils on roll, and the inspection therefore reflected the school at a very early stage of its development rather than the lived experience of children and families.

"Ofsted themselves were unable to assess the quality of teaching, learning, or care because pupils were not yet enrolled.

"Since September 2024 we have been working to finalise our curriculum and ensure pupils would have everything they need ahead of starting with us.

"All staff have completed safeguarding training in line with the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 guidance.

"Spark Vale Academy exists to provide a safe, therapeutic and high-quality education where children and young people with additional needs can belong, grow and thrive.

"This inspection marked only the beginning of our journey, and the progress already made shows families and local authorities that the school is moving forward with confidence, strongly and positively."