Blooming Tree School

School pre-registration inspection report

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First Floor, Swarn House, 296 High Street, Acton, London W3 9BJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have a clear understanding of the range of varied and complex needs of pupils who may potentially join this proposed school. They have developed ambitious curriculum and assessment policies. These suitably consider the needs of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and specifically the needs of those with education, health and care (EHC) plans for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The curriculum and teaching plans cover all the required areas of learning for pupils aged three to eight. They take account of pupils’ different ages, abilities and interests.  The planned programme for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is likely to be appropriate. It includes age-appropriate coverage of British values, equality and relationships. The programme will focus on developing pupils’ confidence, communication and social skills.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school is likely to be well resourced and staffed, with every pupil assigned an adult who will work with them one to one.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The PSHE education curriculum includes coverage of keeping healthy, being a good friend, helping others and using public transport. The requirements for relationships and sex education are likely to be met.  Pupils will develop their social skills and learn about differences, including learning about the protected characteristics, as identified in the Equality Act 2010, in an age- appropriate way.  The planned programme for religious education aims to ensure that pupils will be taught about a range of religions, faiths and cultures. The programme is likely to encourage mutual respect and tolerance of their own and other cultures, and the faiths and beliefs of others.  The proposed school’s curriculum policy makes it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan views, and that balanced points of view must always be presented

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Main inspection findings

in the teaching of any political topic.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance and is available online. Leaders with responsibility for safeguarding have completed enhanced-level safeguarding training, and all staff will be trained in advance of the school’s opening. Leaders are fully aware of their duties. They understand the importance of creating and maintaining a strong safeguarding culture in their school for especially vulnerable pupils when it opens.  The proposed school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to meet the requirements. They have been created with the needs of pupils with SEND in mind.  Arrangements for the provision of first aid are likely to meet requirements. It is planned that all staff will be trained in paediatric first aid. Suitable processes for documenting accidents, providing first aid, and managing medication are in place.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. All actions identified on a recent external fire-risk assessment have been completed. The alarm and smoke detection system are new. All the required checks are completed and logged.  The proposed school’s health and safety and risk-assessment policies are likely to meet the required aspects of health and safety in reducing identified risks. Appropriate risk assessments have been completed for the premises, and for regular outings, such as to the park.  Admission and attendance register templates are likely to be suitable.  The supervision of pupils is likely to be suitable. All pupils will receive at least one-to- one support.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  All the required pre-employment checks have been carried out and recorded accurately on a single central record of checks, which is likely to meet requirements.  The proposed school does not intend to employ supply or agency staff.  Leaders have ensured that 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 All paragraphs  The proposed school will be located on the first floor of a building previously used by another school. The linked applied behaviour analysis (ABA) clinic for ASD, Blooming Tree, operates on the second floor, and will continue to operate separately when this school opens.  The premises include five classrooms and a large open-plan area for learning and play. There are suitable toilets and washing facilities, an appropriately equipped medical room and a roof space for outdoor learning and play.  The premises are likely to be safe, clean and well maintained.  The acoustics, lighting, hot water and drinking water supplies are all likely to be suitable.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  All the required policies and information are available on the proposed school’s website.  The proposed school’s intended annual report template for parents and carers is likely to meet requirements as it includes detailed information about pupils’ progress and attainment.  Leaders are aware of their duty to provide funding authorities with annual statements of income and expenditure for pupils with EHC plans.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The proposed school’s complaints policy and log are likely to meet the requirements. The policy sets out, with clear timescales, how the proposed school intends to deal with complaints informally and formally. The complaints log includes the stage of resolution and any action taken as a result.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Leaders have a strong working knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards. They are well organised and have paid significant attention to detail in planning the opening of this new school.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposed school’s accessibility plan is likely to meet this requirement.

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Main inspection findings

Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage  Leaders demonstrate a detailed understanding of all the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory requirements.  They intend to plan for children across all the areas of learning, and assess them against the early learning goals using an online platform.  The proposed school is likely to comply with all the learning and development and safeguarding and welfare requirements of the EYFS.

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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.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

Type of school Day school for pupils with ASD

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £35,000 to £56,000

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 3 to 8 3 to 8 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 30 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable Up to 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable All pupils

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable Up to 30

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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 Not applicable Up to 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 1

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 32

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Information about this proposed school

 Blooming Tree Pre Prep School intends to register as an independent special day school in Ealing.  The school intends to open in January 2022.  The majority, if not all, placements will be for pupils with EHC plans.  The school will be led by the chair of the proprietorial body, who will also be the headteacher.  The wider organisation, Blooming Tree, provides early intervention for children with ASD and with a range of other SEND. The organisation includes a primary special school, Blooming Tree Primary School, and an ABA clinic for ASD, Blooming Tree.

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Information about this inspection

 This is the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The inspector met with a group of senior leaders, including the proposed school’s chair of the proprietorial body, who will also fulfil the role of headteacher.  The inspector toured the premises and considered a range of evidence to check the likelihood of the proposed school meeting the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

James Waite, 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 1231, 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

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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