9 minute read
3.0 FACILITIES
The school provides all students with access to an environment conducive to learning and that keeps them safe.
3A STANDARD
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COMMENTARY
The school is situated in a predominately residential area of St. Petersburg and arrival and departure from school feels safe and well ordered. The building is modern and spacious, compliant with local regulations regarding building and utilities in Russia. Classrooms are light and spacious, with no noise pollution evident. The temperature in classrooms is regulated depending on the season and in accordance with national laws, the air in school must be filtered. Therefore, all norms and laws are complied with.
The school building is open and modern, with fixtures and fittings to match. The different sections of the school are equipped with furniture and equipment that is age appropriate. All areas are clean and well maintained, with hand sanitisers provided at strategic points. The rooms are well designed and furnished appropriate to their requirements. The school is well lit, with a great deal of natural light. It is also equipped with an air filtration system. The buildings are well heated in the winter and ‘space blankets’ are provided for students if necessary. Displays both inside the classroom and in the corridors are vibrant, fresh, and relevant to learning. The accommodation in all areas supports the learning needs of the children.
There is a school library which is located centrally and is equipped with reading areas and a wide range of English language fiction appropriate for all ranges. The library was well used by pupils during the visit by students of all age groups, enhancing their learning experience.
There are two outdoor areas for play, one appropriate for the lower school and one for the older children. They are well equipped with activity areas, and shaded areas to relax or play with toys and equipment. Sunscreen is provided in the summer and children may bring a change of clothing and shoes dependent on the weather. The school follows the advice given by the local authorities about the suitability of weather conditions for outdoor play. The outdoor areas are adequate in size for the current cohort, however, there will need to be additional provision made as the school develops, for example staggering break times. Due to the position of the
school in the city, there are no sports facilities on-site. Physical Education and swimming lessons take place at external locations. The outdoor facilities provided enable outdoor play to occur, despite limited outdoor provision, in which the children can both learn and play.
The school is split level, currently over two floors with a third floor being converted at the moment. All doors are locked, with card access for staff and there are glass walls so that there is maximum supervision of students. There are lockers and bathrooms for the students in each section, with water provided for both washing and drinking. Children must bring a change of clothes in the lower end of the school, and these are kept in the large storage area. Two children in early years still sleep in the afternoon and have a mattress and blankets provided. All students are cared for and their needs are met.
The extension to the third floor is currently underway and there is a separate entrance, which means that no construction workers are anywhere near the students. No building noise can be made between the hours of one and three in accordance with Russian law. When the work is completed, the access point will be knocked through the wall into the other existing building and provide additional learning space and classrooms for the upper school. The facilities will undoubtedly improve further following the completion of the new plans and developments.
NEXT STEPS
Monitor and review the accommodation as the school grows.
Investigate ways in which to utilise the outdoor areas as the student population grows.
3B STANDARD
COMMENTARY
The site provides security, with strategic points that provide the only way of entering the school grounds. The entrance road is staffed by security guards. On arriving at the gate, formal identification is required before visitor permission is issued to anybody. The security guards also patrol the premises discreetly throughout and after the school day, affording additional security.
According to the COVID policy, disinfection happens every morning and every afternoon under strict Russian regulations. Social distance, sanitiser and mask regulations are signposted at the entrance to the school. There is a germicide plan which is carried out after school each day and the outside of the building is also cleaned daily.
Children are dropped off by appropriate adults at the door. Observation showed that all pupils’ names were known by staff. There was an orderly and safe entry to the school. At break and lunchtime, there was a high ratio of adults to children and behaviour was calm and safe. After school, the pick-up is staggered depending on after school activities.
Parents wait inside the lobby and wear their lanyards. After the children collect their belongings from the lockers, they are brought to the lobby by the teachers. I was able to observe that one of the parents was asking the teacher for some help and this was readily given. This corroborates the fact that teachers said that they were able to meet parents after school and answer any questions that they might have. All children were picked up in an orderly and timely manner by appropriate adults.
Lockdown and fire procedures are robust and conform to UK and Russian regulations. Detailed policies and procedures are in place. Maps of the school highlight fire exit routes and where fire-fighting equipment is positioned. Fire extinguishers have notices given in English and Russian. Fire evacuation drills are carried out every three months and fire drill procedures are signposted around the school. The fire brigade came to the school to designate where the fire hydrants and plans should be placed. The area for assembly is behind the school and there are emergency exit fire stairs on all levels. Corridors are wide and allow for quick evacuation. There is a security walk by the fire brigade every month. A register is completed to show that this has been carried out by the authorities. The fire brigade provide training each year for all staff to show them how to use fire extinguishers correctly. There are also anti-terror lockdown drills and a red anti-terror button in the school. When this was last activated, soldiers arrived at the school within three minutes. Records are kept when tests are conducted.
All required doors are locked, with the key being kept out of reach and in a locked store by the door. In accordance with Russian regulations, there are toilets in each area separated into male and female, with adult toilets separate to those of the students. There are a more than adequate number of toilet facilities. Cleaning schedules are clearly visible in all rooms and toilets and regularly updated. All cleaning cupboards are locked.
All cleaning, maintenance and security staff have the relevant safeguarding and employment checks, in line with the school Safer Recruitment Policy.
COMMENDATION
The school is to be commended for their proactive approach in providing a secure environment for students, staff and visitors.
NEXT STEPS
Ensure that current standards are maintained when expanding into the new third floor area.
3C STANDARD
The fabric of the school provides an effective and safe working environment
COMMENTARY
The school has a thorough Health and Safety Policy with appropriate risk assessments and procedures. There are clear processes for staff to report health and safety issues through the school administration. Health and Safety and Safeguarding are agenda items in each meeting.
Toilet facilities are located throughout the building at strategic points, with separate facilities which adults and visitors are required to use. The number of toilet facilities on site is well above the minimum legal norm in the UK. All toilets have running hot and cold water and hand drying facilities. Each classroom in the EYFS area has been fitted with their own toilet and handwashing area. Cleaners clean the facilities regularly throughout the day.
The specialist equipment is of high standard in all areas, especially in Design Technology. ICT facilities are evident throughout the school and both staff and students were seen to be competent users. At present there is no fume cupboard in the science room, therefore chemicals cannot be used in school. This will be added for the next academic year to allow chemical-based experiments to be carried out. There are first aid kits and eye washing facilities in each of these rooms. Machinery is protected and students are not allowed into workshops without staff. The DT room was designed in consultation with a specialist and has adequate extraction fans, alongside the school air purifiers.
The school has a canteen that provides lunch for the staff and students. The menu is composed by the kitchen manager in consultation with the school. For any specific dietary requirements, requests are given to the school by the parent. The kitchen
staff know the details of specific children, for example in the case of allergies, photographs and descriptions are kept in a prominent position. A healthy eating policy and the development of healthy food choices are a priority for the school. The kitchens are separated into key areas for washing and cooking, in compliance with hygiene regulations. All staff who work in the canteen are compliant with Russian food hygiene regulations and have had the appropriate training and certificates.
NEXT STEPS
Implement current plans to provide a fume cupboard in the Science Lab.
3D STANDARD
Overall facilities meet the needs of all students, including those with additional educational needs and/or a physical disability
COMMENTARY
The school is committed to equal opportunities and currently has one student with additional educational needs. There is an AEN teacher assigned to this student who supports, delivers intervention, and devises differentiation strategies for teachers of this student. Where any support is required for diagnostic purposes, there are specialist Russian agencies in the local area. At present, there are no designated rooms for Learning Support or English as an Additional Language. The school is aware that further provision may be required as the school grows from its current small numbers.
The building has two ramps which lead to the ground floor, which has corridors wide enough for disabled access. It includes toilets that could be accessed by disabled students or visitors.
At present there is no disabled access to the upper floors of the school and no evacuation chairs. Should a student or member of staff be temporarily impaired, the solution would require the classroom to move to the ground floor. As the school’s programme of development continues, they are working to find possible areas of the site that could be accessible to students or staff who may have physical needs. The school’s Equal Opportunities Policy covers the needs of AEN and EAL students but should be enhanced to include disabled students and those with temporary mobility problems.
