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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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The comprehensive safeguarding policy is available on the school website.  The policy pays due regard to the most current legislation and guidance from the Department for Education (DfE).  All staff receive appropriate training, so they know how to keep pupils safe. Records of the training they receive are up to date and thorough. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10  Leaders have ensured that a detailed behaviour policy is in place. Rewards and sanctions are clearly identified and appropriate.  Records of any sanctions are detailed. Information about any incidents is added to pupils’ comprehensive individual records.  The policy will be appropriate for the planned increase in the numbers of pupils.  An appropriate anti-bullying policy is in place. Paragraph 11, 12, 13, 14, 15  An appropriate health and safety policy is in place.

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Main inspection findings

 The policy meets all relevant requirements.  The additional property is well maintained. The building is tidy, safe and in a good state of repair.  There are enough classrooms and shared areas in the additional premises to accommodate the planned increase in pupil numbers.  An appropriate first aid policy is in place. It refers to all regulations relating to the storage of medicines in school.  Records of any accidents are detailed. They are reviewed by leaders and shared with parents and carers.  All fire safety regulations and procedures are compliant with legislation. The proprietor ensures that annual checks and risk assessments are completed by a suitable independent body. Staff know the evacuation process and the procedures to follow in the event of a fire. Records of fire evacuation practices are complete. These records will include those completed in the new building.  The proprietor has ensured that all adults in school are safe to work with pupils.

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Main inspection findings

Supervision is based on the individual needs of pupils in accordance with their education, health and care plans. Leaders plan to maintain this level of support for any additional pupils, including during lunchtimes and breaktimes.  Leaders maintain a comprehensive admissions and attendance register. Information includes contact details of all parents as well as the names of other adults and external services who support individual pupils. Paragraph 16(a), 16(b)  A written risk assessment policy is in place and underpins the detailed risk assessments completed for all activities. This policy includes identified risks in the proposed new property and for the additional pupil numbers.  Leaders know the risks associated with the needs of pupils. Individual risk assessments are completed for each pupil. These form part of each individual pupil’s records. They outline the processes and procedures to be followed to keep pupils safe

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Main inspection findings

and secure.  Risk assessments for educational activities in school are in place. They are reviewed regularly. This is to ensure that any potential risks are identified and plans to deal with them are in place.  Detailed risk assessments are carried out for all extra-curricular activities, including visits to places of interest and physical education (PE) sessions in the local community. Any new activity is risk assessed to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.  All the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 23(2)  There are separate toilets for boys and girls. Toilets are for individual use and can be locked from the inside.  Toilet and washing facilities are adequate to meet the needs of the planned increase in pupil numbers.  There are separate showers for boys and girls to use when necessary. These are adequate to meet the needs of the planned increase in pupil numbers.  There are suitable toilets for any pupils with a disability. These are also available for staff and visitors to use. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b)  The medical room is spacious and used for the sole purpose of medical care for pupils. Toilet and washing facilities can be accessed directly from the room. This provision is adequate to meet the needs of the planned greater pupil numbers. However, leaders also have plans to include an additional medical room in the new

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Main inspection findings

building and so improve the provision further.  The medical room contains the appropriate resources for the care of pupils, including a bed and privacy screen.  There is an appropriate first aid kit and locked medicine cabinets. The cabinets are suitable for the storage of medicines in school. Paragraph 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  Classrooms are bright and appropriately decorated to meet the needs of pupils.  The acoustics, temperature and lighting within each room are suitable. All classrooms and shared areas have a good source of natural light.  The external lighting of all buildings allows pupils, staff and visitors to leave the premises safely when it is dark.  A number of classrooms have direct access to the outdoor play area. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Drinking water is clearly labelled. It is readily available for pupils.  Many pupils have complex dietary needs which means they need access to water

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Main inspection findings

throughout the day.  The temperature of the water for hand washing is appropriate. Taps are clearly marked hot and cold. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The large outdoor play area is planned well to meet the needs of pupils. It is suitable for some PE sessions.  There is a range of equipment including a climbing frame, swings and football area.  Pupils can use other equipment including that in the music-making area.  The large mature trees are used creatively to provide a quiet seating area. Pupils can use a number of accessible picnic benches.  The outdoor area is suitable for the planned increase in the numbers.  All the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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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, including the proprietor, know the strengths of the school. The school’s plans to improve the school further are appropriate. Leaders have taken action to resolve the recommendations from the previous inspection. They use the school’s resources, including those in the wider community, effectively to support pupils’ learning.  Leaders demonstrate the knowledge and understanding to be able to provide effectively for the planned increase in the number of pupils with a particular focus on preparing older pupils for independent living.  Leaders fulfil their responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils.  All the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet 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 likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) From £51,560.68

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School details

Email address ruth@brightfuturescare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10–12 October 2017

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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 43 75 75

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 43 75 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 43 75

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 43 75

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 43 75

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 34 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 35 41

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection took place on 10–12 October 2017.  All pupils on roll have an education, health and care plan for emotional, behavioural and other difficulties.  The school does not use alternative provision.  The name of the proprietor on ‘Get information about schools’, the DfE’s public record of schools’ details, is not accurate. The headteacher confirmed that she had previously requested a material change in relation to a change of proprietor. The school has very recently received confirmation that the change of proprietor has been approved by the DfE.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned in relation to the school’s request for a material change following the purchase of an additional property within the grounds of the school.  Leaders’ request for the material change proposes that the school should be registered to provide an additional 25 places for pupils with autism spectrum disorder and other additional needs in the school. Pupils aged between 14 and 25 years will receive their education in the additional property.  During the inspection, documents and policies were scrutinised, including documents relating to safeguarding. The inspector toured the accommodation and held meetings with the headteacher, deputy headteacher and staff responsible for administration. The inspector also had a telephone conversation with the proprietor.  This was the school’s first material change inspection.

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Inspection team

Amanda Stringer, 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

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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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