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 Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The proprietor body has paid attention to the most current statutory guidance for safeguarding pupils. A suitable and up-to-date safeguarding policy is in place. The policy is available on the school’s website and it has been made available to parents and carers, upon request, from the school office. Leaders have established all the necessary arrangements to keep pupils safe and to promote their welfare at the school.  There are four designated safeguarding leaders (DSLs) within the school. All staff receive appropriate induction and safeguarding training. Staff also receive regular updates on areas such as radicalisation, extremism, sexual exploitation and e-safety. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor body has a written health and safety policy which is tailored to the premises of the school. It complies with all relevant laws. Leaders carry out regular

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Main inspection findings

fire safety checks on the premises and the findings are suitably logged. The proprietor body ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  A written risk assessment policy is in place. Leaders carry out appropriate risk assessments on the school buildings, including the classrooms, and risk assessments for activities such as using the trampoline. Completed risk assessments show that leaders take appropriate actions to minimise any risks to pupils. These risk assessments are likely to continue to be appropriate should the material change be approved. Paragraph 14  Pupils are appropriately supervised. This includes at transition times, such as breaktimes, and when pupils are arriving at and leaving the school’s premises. Appropriate plans are in place to supervise the increase in pupil numbers, should the material change be approved.  All the independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part are likely to be met

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Main inspection findings

if the request for the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(I)–18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i)–19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b)– 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)–20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i)–20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i)–21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7)–21(7)(b)  The single central record is in place and it contains all the required information. Leaders understand the need to complete all the required checks on the suitability of staff before they take up appointment.  Records relating to the checks on the suitability of the proprietor body are included on the school’s single central record. All the suitability checks, including those relating to

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Main inspection findings

the leadership and management of the school, have also been carried out.  The proprietor body has completed appropriate safer recruitment training to support the appointment of suitable staff to work in a school. Induction documentation for new staff makes it clear that they undergo a full suite of safeguarding, and related, training upon appointment.  Leaders do not employ agency staff or engage volunteers. However, they are clear about their responsibility for checking the suitability of agency staff, or volunteers, should they decide to employ them to work with pupils in the future.  All the standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 28(1)-28(1)(d), 28(2)–28(2)(b)  The school is housed in converted former office buildings. The school premises and accommodation are maintained to a high standard. The school comprises a number of

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Main inspection findings

classrooms and breakout rooms. Should the material change be approved, the proprietor body has identified some suitable additional classroom space to accommodate an increase in pupil numbers. There are also kitchen facilities, a dining room and offices.  There are appropriate toilet facilities for the sole use of pupils. There are separate toilet cubicles that can be secured from the inside. There is hot and cold water. The hot water is at an appropriate temperature. There are signs indicating that the water in the toilets is not suitable for drinking. However, pupils do have access to drinking water throughout the day.  There are separate changing and shower facilities for older pupils. These are clean and furnished to a suitable standard. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  A medical room has been made available. There is a suitable washing facility within the room. There is easy access to a toilet. A bed, blanket, pillow and first-aid kit were

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Main inspection findings

in the medical room at the time of the inspection. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The accommodation is of an appropriate standard. It meets all requirements for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils. This includes appropriate acoustics and lighting for the purpose of the different rooms. The teaching rooms have a suitable source of natural light. There is exterior lighting installed so that pupils, staff and visitors can arrive at and leave the site safely. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  Pupils have access to sufficient, and safe, outdoor areas to play in when they are not in lessons. The outdoor space is also suitable for physical education lessons.  All the standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a)–34(1)(c)  The proprietor body has an excellent understanding of the standards. It monitors the

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Main inspection findings

school’s compliance with the standards regularly and comprehensively.  Leaders demonstrate the knowledge required to run this independent school successfully and to accommodate the material change request. They have experience of, and a commitment to, providing an effective quality of education for pupils. They fulfil their responsibility to promote the well-being of pupils.  All the standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan fully reflects the school’s statutory responsibilities. Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  The proprietor body meets the early years foundation stage safeguarding and welfare requirements.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £62,315 to £113,850

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School details

Email address alicia.highton@brightfuturescare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 23 to 25 November 2021

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 4 to 25 4 to 25 4 to 25

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 64 80 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 64 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 64 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 64 80

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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 26 Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 12 13

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff None None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 40 42

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was on 23 to 25 November 2021.  The school is located at Willow Tree Park, Beech House, Booths Lane, Lymm, Cheshire WA13 0GH.  The school caters for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. All pupils have an education, health and care plan for autism.  Leaders do not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The proprietor body applied to the registration authority for a material change to increase the pupil capacity from 75 to 80.  This was the first material change inspection since the school’s last standard inspection in November 2021.  The inspectors checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  The inspectors met with the headteacher, who is also the designated safeguarding leader. Inspectors also met with other school leaders and staff.  The inspectors met with a representative of the proprietor body.  The inspectors made a tour of the school to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant standards.  The inspectors also looked at a range of documents and policies relevant to the material change request. These included health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment documentation. The inspectors also checked documents relating to

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Inspection team

Sue Eastwood, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Pippa Jackson Maitland His 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

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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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