The Bridge

School material change inspection report

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The school meets the independent school

standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  The previous standard inspection in May 2019 judged that safeguarding was effective.  This inspection found that the safeguarding policy is up to date and reflects current guidance. The policy is detailed and includes measures to safeguard pupils during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The policy is available on the school’s website.  The school meets the independent school standards listed above. Paragraph 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The previous inspection found that arrangements to ensure pupils’ welfare, health and safety were secure.  This inspection found that this continues to be the case. The health and safety policy is implemented effectively. An external contractor has carried out a fire risk assessment and identified potential risks. These have been acted upon fully. Leaders have been provided with a certificate to confirm that the school building meets the

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Main inspection findings

requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Leaders have carried out risk assessments covering all aspects of the school’s work. This includes, but is not limited to, risk assessments for each classroom and for COVID-19.  The school meets the independent school standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school moved into new premises in January 2021. The building has been thoughtfully planned and constructed. It is bright and airy, providing a calm, high- quality space for pupils to develop their social and academic skills. The building is impeccably maintained and clean.  All the relevant paragraphs of the independent school standards in part 5 are met in full. This includes classroom and outside lighting, ventilation, and the provision of separate toilets for the sole use of boys and girls, and drinking water. Each classroom has its own individually controlled air-conditioning and heating unit. The computer room has an additional air-conditioning unit that purifies the air when it detects poor air quality. Sound insulation is good. Drinking water is available in the food technology room and in the area used for dining.  Pupils have access to suitable changing accommodation and shower facilities.

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Main inspection findings

 The temperature of the hot water is properly regulated. Leaders have made sure that the dedicated first-aid room is next to the toilets and is close to the reception area. The arrangements for storing cleaning materials and examination papers are secure.  Leaders have ensured that there is adequate outdoor space for physical education and to play outside. The newly established outdoor space for games such as basketball enhances the outside facilities further.  The school meets the independent school standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34, 34(a), 34(b), 34(c)  Leaders have taken great care to ensure that the new building meets the independent school standards in full. They have thought carefully about the environment they want to provide for their pupils, many of whom find social relationships challenging. As a result, the new building is calm, bright and welcoming. Every detail has been meticulously planned, from the height of the ceilings to the colour of the walls and the classroom furniture.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards are met, including those for safeguarding. The single central register is detailed and includes all the relevant information. Arrangements for safer recruitment are secure.  The school meets the independent school standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school’s website includes an accessibility plan that meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

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) £18,000 to £36,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 14–16 May 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 23 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 23 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 6 Up to 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 3 Up to 50

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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 23 Up to 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 6 6

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Information about this school

 The Bridge is an independent special day school in the London Borough of Havering.  The school is part of the Life Education Trust. It caters predominantly for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was conducted by Ofsted at the request of the Department for Education to consider the school’s application for a material change to the location of the school’s premises and registered address to Brentwood Road, Romford RM1 3RR.  The school was already operating from this new address at the time of this inspection.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The focus of the inspection was to consider whether the independent school standards in parts 3, 5 and 8 were met.  The inspector met with the headteacher and a representative of the proprietor, Life Education Trust , to discuss how they ensured that the independent school standards were met.  The inspector considered the written policies for safeguarding, health and safety and risk assessments. The inspector toured the building with the headteacher.

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Inspection team

Brian Oppenheim, 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 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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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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