Willow Tree Park

School material change inspection report

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Bright Futures Willow Tree Park, Beech House, Booths Lane, Lymm, Cheshire WA13 0GH

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Overall outcome

The school has fully met the relevant independent school standards to meet the request for material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school has a comprehensive safeguarding policy. This has recently been revised and takes account of the current statutory guidance. All staff have received training to ensure that their knowledge about safeguarding is current  The curriculum includes a wide range of opportunities for pupils to understand how to stay safe. This is particularly important due to their complex needs that could make them particularly vulnerable. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16(a), 16(b)  The school has suitable policies and procedures for fire safety, risk assessment and overall health and safety. The proprietor has considered these policies and procedures in relation to the extended facilities, ensuring that they are fit for purpose.  The toilet and washbasin facilities in the new extension are appropriate for the anticipated increase in pupil numbers.

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Main inspection findings

 Fire signage is in place and there are three fire escapes, two on the ground floor and one on the first floor. The fire policy and checks are up to date and recommendations have been completed.  The proprietor has a full and up-to-date electrical safety check for the building which includes the new classrooms.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1), 18(2), 18(3), 18(4), 19(1), 19(2), 19(3), 19(4), 20(1), 20(2), 20(3), 20(4), 20(5), 20(6), 20(7), 20(8), 20(9), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(4), 21(5), 21(6), 21(7), 21(8)  The single central record is fully compliant. Appropriate checks have been made for all members of staff, with evidence of start dates and qualifications, including higher level teaching assistants. Prohibition checks have been carried out as appropriate.  Supply staff are not included, as school leaders do not use any. This is due to the complex needs of the pupils who attend the school, and their inability to cope with change.  The proprietor has undergone appropriate checks and, as such, has met the standard.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1), 23(2), 24(1), 24(2), 24(3)  The new toilet facilities include two toilets and two washbasins, to meet the needs of the anticipated additional pupils. Individual cubicles are provided, each with hot and cold water. When tested, the water temperature was safe. These facilities adjoin the new classrooms set aside for expansion, and are in addition to toilet and shower facilities situated off other classrooms located on the ground and first floors.  Separate toilet and washbasins are provided for staff, alongside a disabled toilet that is also used by staff.  Pupils over 11 years of age have access to a shower on the ground floor. This is also used as part of the medical room facilities. Off-site facilities are used to teach the physical education and sports curriculum.  The medical room caters for the complex needs of the pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 Toilet and washbasin facilities are more than adequate to meet the needs of the anticipated increase in the number of pupils on roll. These facilities meet the Department for Education (DfE) standards stated in the guidance, ‘Advice for standards on school premises’, p. 5.  The proprietor has plans to install a further shower in the medical room itself. Paragraph 25  The premises are in an excellent state of repair, are newly refurbished and ready to be used by an increased number of pupils. Paragraph 26  Acoustic conditions are excellent due to the layout of the rooms used for teaching. Paragraph 27, 27(a), 27(b)  Additional classrooms are well lit by natural light and ceiling lights.  External lighting around the building is sensor controlled. This also illuminates the new area set aside as an additional playground for younger pupils. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 Two sources of drinking water are accessible to pupils.  Toilet facilities have hot and cold water and properly functioning toilets. The temperature of the hot water poses no risk of scalding. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  An additional hard-surfaced, enclosed, secure area is set aside as a playground for additional pupils. The proprietor provides other sports activities off-site. Paragraph 30  For the purposes of the material change inspection, the boarding school facilities were not inspected.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has adapted the new rooms to ensure that they are suitable to be used as additional learning spaces to cater for an increased number of pupils on roll. Additional toilet and hand washing facilities are provided in this area, which are fully compliant with ratios stated in DfE guidance.  Additional outdoor space has been set aside to accommodate the increase in numbers of pupils.  The standards in this part are met and would support the implementation of the proposed material changes.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Email address school@brightfuturescare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 25 5 to 25 5 to 25

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 33 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 33 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 33 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 33 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 33 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 plus proprietor and headteacher

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 22 28

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Information about this school

 Bright Futures School is a specialist independent provider supporting vulnerable young people from ages five to 25 with complex needs. Pupils are diagnosed with a range of disorders and many receive support from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), following assessments by a number of outside agencies.  The school is located within easy reach of Lymm town centre in Cheshire. The school has applied for material change to permit it to increase the number of pupils on roll from 30 to 50, mixed gender, aged from five to 25 years of age.  The proprietor has made appropriate adaptations to the existing school building to ensure that the facilities are fully compliant to accommodate increased numbers of staff and pupils.  All pupils speak English as a first language.  All pupils on roll have an education, health and care plan for emotional, behavioural and other difficulties.  The school’s current and long-term aim is to provide a protective framework for all

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Information about this school

pupils, ensuring that each one receives individual all-round support so that they have the opportunity to achieve their developmental potential.  The headteacher joined the staff five years ago and is responsible to the proprietor for ensuring that high standards are consistently maintained, and that there is a shared vision for future developments.  A number of local authorities commission placements for pupils at Bright Futures School so that their educational, health and social care needs can be met.  A previous material change inspection took place on 28 May 2015.  Bright Futures School has not yet had a full inspection.  The safeguarding policy is provided on the school’s website, and it fully complies with current expectations. Additional policies support the safeguarding policy. All policies were reviewed in September 2016.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to determine the suitability of the school premises to accommodate the anticipated increase in the number of pupils.  The DfE requested that the inspector reported on the standards relating to health and safety, fire safety, risk assessment, the premises and leadership and management.  In addition, the inspector checked the school’s safeguarding policy and arrangements. This included a review of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural curriculum and the personal, social and health education for pupils.  The inspector toured the premises, including the additional premises, accompanied by the headteacher. This included outside areas.  Documents relating to health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment and the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures were scrutinised.  A discussion was held with the headteacher, and the deputy headteacher who is

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Information about this inspection

responsible for the spiritual and moral education of pupils.  The inspector talked to a range of pupils about their current school experience.  The inspector interviewed the designated safeguarding lead who provided comprehensive details of the safeguarding training and procedures within the school. He also explained the succession planning for his role.  The inspector held a further interview with the proprietor. The discussion included their aspirations for the future of the school and the planning for a sustainable model in the future.

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Inspection team

Maggie Parker, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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