Ashbridge Independent School

Ashbridge Independent School Lindle Lane, Hutton, Preston, Lancashire PR4 4AQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders take the safety of pupils very seriously. The safeguarding policy takes full account of the current legislation and guidelines. The policy is supported by a variety of associated policies. Paragraph 11  A detailed health and safety policy ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with. It states clearly who is responsible for what aspects of health and safety. The policy outlines the way in which the school monitors and reviews its measures to meet health and safety requirements. The policy links to other polices, including safeguarding and risk assessments. Paragraphs 13, 14, 16(a), 16(b)  Senior staff ensure that first aid is administered effectively. Staff follow the written first aid policy. Leaders have an effective system to record and review any accidents.  Staffing numbers are sufficient to ensure that pupils are supervised well during

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Main inspection findings

lessons and at social times. The staff-to-pupil ratio means that pupils are closely supervised at all times.  The risk assessment policy is detailed and thorough. Risk assessments identify potential hazards and include control measures to reduce the risks identified. Risk assessments cover a broad range of activities, including the management of outdoor activities and off-site visits. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed by senior staff.  This standard is met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The proprietors ensure that the school buildings are fit for purpose. Classrooms are appropriate for the teaching required. They are bright and welcoming environments in which to learn. Acoustics are suitable and drinking water is available. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  Pupils have a wide range of outdoor space in which to play. The school has extensive grounds for sporting use which includes an all-weather sports pitch. This means that pupils can enjoy outdoor activities in all weather. Pupils use the two forest school sites to enhance personal, social and emotional development.  The proprietor ensures that there is provision for physical education in accordance with the curriculum. It is suitable for all pupils. Pupils spoke to the inspector about hockey, rugby and cross-country opportunities provided for them.  This standard is met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(a), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c), 32(1)(d), 32(1)(e), 32(1)(f), 32(1)(g), 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(i), 32(2)(b)(ii), 32(2)(c), 32(2)(d), 32(3), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(c), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(f), 32(3)(g)  Directors ensure that the company’s website is informative for parents and carers. The website includes contact details for the school and how to contact the proprietor. The website meets requirements for safeguarding, complaints, behaviour management and admissions. The website includes information and polices for the curriculum and the promotion of equality in the school. Previous inspection reports are available via the school website or provided on request to parents.  The headteacher provides a summary of pupils’ academic performance in her report to parents and on the website. Parents also receive an annual written report for their

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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)  Leaders promote the welfare, health and safety of pupils. All leaders and staff understand the importance of being vigilant about safeguarding.  Directors meet regularly with the headteacher to ensure that procedures set out in the safeguarding policy are being followed. As a result, they have developed a secure understanding of the effectiveness of safeguarding in school.  Leaders ensure that the curriculum design provides pupils with many opportunities to develop their welfare, health and safety. For example, pupils learn about road safety and staying safe online. Pupils who spoke with the inspector stated that they value the information in their journals about who to raise concerns with if they have any worries.  Pupils contribute effectively to the leadership of the school through their elected role

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Main inspection findings

as school councillors. This enables them to contribute to discussions with adults around issues such as promoting pupils’ right and responsibilities.  Directors and staff with leadership and management responsibility in school demonstrate the broad range of skills and knowledge that are appropriate to their roles in terms of the welfare, health and safety of pupils. All the independent school standards checked at this inspection are met.  This standard is met.

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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 were checked during this inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Proprietor Ashbridge School and Nursery Limited

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School details

Email address head@ashbridgeschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 14–15 June 2017

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Information about this school

 Ashbridge Independent School is a co-educational school for children from 0 to 11 years.  The school and nursery moved in 2001 to their current premises in Hutton, a rural area near Preston, Lancashire. The school also has premises in Walton-le-Dale, Ashbridge on Ribble day nursery.  The school has a large early years department for children aged three months to three years.  Currently, none of the children have an education, health and care plan.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) requested that Ofsted conduct an emergency inspection in response to complaints received by them. The inspection was unannounced.  The inspector examined the school’s website and looked at a wide range of documents relating to the school’s procedures for safeguarding pupils.  The inspector reviewed the school site, observed pupils’ movement around the buildings and spoke with some pupils informally about supervision procedures.  The inspector held discussions with the proprietor and senior leaders. He spoke with the designated leaders for safeguarding. He also spoke formally with a group of pupils and with members of staff about safeguarding procedures in school.

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Inspection team

Simon Hunter, lead inspector Her Majesty’s 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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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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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