1. What is an OOSS (out-of-school setting/service)
The Department for Education defines an OOSS (out of school setting) as follows:
Any institution providing tuition, training or instruction to children aged 19 or under in England that is not a school, college,16-19 academies or registered childcare providers.
This would include, for example:
- Supplementary schools or part-time schools
- Religious settings offering education e.g. yeshivas, madrasahs,
- Sunday schools, other faith groups, Kumon etc
- Tuition or learning centres
- Single discipline clubs or settings (e.g. sports clubs, music, art,dance, drama tuition, martial arts training)
- Uniformed youth organisations e.g. Scouts, Guides, Cadets
It would not cover nursery or childcare providers, or children educated at home by their parents.
A code of practice and kite mark for ensuring safe practice is followed in OOSS has been developed by the DfE through pilot programmes in sixteen local authorities including eleven London boroughs: Barking & Dagenham, Brent, Ealing, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Havering, Kensington & Chelsea, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Westminster.
2. I want to open a supplementary school, what do I need to do?
Take a look at our ‘How to…’ guide, which takes you through the steps of planning, establishing and running a safe and effective supplementary school.
An A4 guide to starting up a supplementary school3. When does my membership expire?
- Subscribers’ membership will last twelve months. If you need help subscribing or renewing your membership, please contact nikita@nrcse.org.uk.
4. Who can I ask to help me quality assure my supplementary school?
In order to be quality assured by NRCSE, an appropriate person (either a UK qualified teacher or a registered NRCSE mentor must visit your supplementary school, see that your school follows procedures relevant to the setting and understood by staff, volunteers, parents and pupils as appropriate, and write an observation report/witness statement. You can get ready for their visit by logging in and taking the self-assessment quiz. If you would like further information or would like to talk to someone, please contact mon@nrcse.org.uk.
5. What about Ofsted?
Supplementary schools are not classified as ‘schools’ by government/Ofsted and cannot be registered as such or inspected as such. Furthermore, they are exempt from registering with Ofsted as childcare providers so long as they don’t have children under 3 years, and any 3-5 year olds are not attending more than four hours per day. They can apply to join the voluntary part of the Childcare Register at a cost and must be renewed annually.
6. How long will certification last?
Schools receive a clearly dated certificate and report e.g. “On 15th September 2017, the NRCSE found that ……” so it will be up to schools (and funders) when they reapply.
