Bramley Hill School

Inspection of Bramley Hill School Chequers Lane, Walton on the Hill, Tadworth KT20 7ST

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

Does the school meet the independent school standards?

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at this inclusive and welcoming place. They usually arrive at Bramley Hill School after prolonged periods of disrupted schooling. Kind and caring staff have high expectations. They take time to get to know each pupil well. As a result, pupils feel valued and happy. They achieve well from their starting points.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

As pupils move through the school, their independence and resilience strengthen. Pupils take their responsibilities seriously. For example, they relish managing the tuck shop and volunteering at the local farm and the nearby pet grooming shop. Pupils are proud and thoughtful citizens. They host events to share their culinary talents with local residents and collect donations for the food bank. The eco- champions regularly organise litter picks to keep the neighbourhood tidy. Pupils are also preparing excitedly for the upcoming school talent show. However, a significant minority of pupils do not attend school regularly and miss out on the rich range of supportive opportunities on offer.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils feel safe in school and are well supported. They know who they can talk to if they have any concerns. Pupils say that there is some bullying and use of derogatory language. However, they trust that staff deal with any issues quickly.

p.2

better?

Bramley Hill School has undergone a period of change. For instance, the new proprietor body has introduced renewed expectations for learning, behaviour and other key areas across the school. At times, the new initiatives have not been received well by some. The proprietor body is not complacent, it has worked tirelessly to address parental concerns. It is making sure that all stakeholders experience a productive partnership with the school. As a result, parents value the regular communication staff now provide about their child’s therapeutic and academic successes. The school is also organising regular workshops and information-sharing events for parents. As one parent said, ‘Bramley Hill has been nothing but supportive and caring. Every contact in person has been informative and helpful.’

p.2

better?

All pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Too often, they have a history of negative experiences of education. The school carries out rigorous assessments of pupils’ needs when they first arrive. This information is used to design each pupil’s individual learning pathways and to set out precise targets for them in their different areas of need. Clinical experts and specialists work with staff to ensure that pupils are well supported in all areas of their work.

p.2

better?

The school has clearly set out the essential knowledge pupils should learn and the order and how it is delivered in each phase. The curriculum in each subject aligns closely with pupils’ education, health and care plan (EHC plan) targets and starting points. Staff provide opportunities for pupils to use and apply their learning in real- life situations. Pupils understand that what they learn in school is also helping them 12 to 14 March 2024 prepare for the next stage in life. Older pupils leave school with Functional Skills qualifications and BTEC National Diploma accreditations.

p.2

better?

The school promotes pupils’ love of reading at every opportunity. Staff provide pupils with a diverse range of texts to read and enjoy. They expertly deliver the school’s reading programme. Staff swiftly identify and help pupils who have gaps in their phonics knowledge. As a result, pupils become confident and fluent readers. One pupil said, ‘One of the best things about our school is that we learn to read without feeling under pressure.’

p.3

better?

Overall, teachers are well trained. They provide resources and activities that engage pupils in purposeful learning of the topics they study. However, in a few subjects, staff subject knowledge is not strong enough. They do not check and make sure that pupils embed the important ideas before moving on to new work. As a result, in some subjects, pupils do not make links with what they have learned previously. They do not achieve as well as they could.

p.3

better?

Adults are skilled at managing any unsettled behaviour effectively. Some pupils’ needs mean that they typically require a very high level of support and encouragement to remain focused. Staff patiently teach pupils how to express their feelings and complex emotions. Most pupils reflect on how the school has had a positive impact on their own behaviour over time.

p.3

better?

The school has developed a comprehensive personal development programme. Pupils learn about healthy relationships, equality and diversity in an age-appropriate way. They are taught how to keep themselves safe, both online and in their local and wider community. The school promotes pupils’ physical and mental health. It also provides pupils with appropriate and wide-ranging information on careers. Pupils are well prepared for their next steps.

p.3

better?

Staff work well as a united team. They agree that the school is actively listening to their feedback and is mindful of their workload and work–life balance.

p.3

better?

The proprietor body and governors know the school well. They provide appropriate support and challenge for leaders. The school meets all of the independent school standards. The proprietor body ensures that the school complies with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

(Information for the school and proprietor)

 Staff subject knowledge is variable in some of the foundation subjects. As a result, pupils do not always learn as well as they could from their individual 12 to 14 March 2024 starting points. The school should ensure that all staff are well trained and have the depth of subject knowledge required to deliver the curriculum effectively.  A significant minority of pupils are persistently absent from school. These pupils miss valuable learning and wider school experiences. The school should continue determinedly with its work to raise pupils’ attendance.

p.3

How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

p.4

How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school. 12 to 14 March 2024

p.4

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £96,814 to £107,531

p.5

School details

Website www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/our- locations/our-schools/bramley-hill-school Email address bramley-hill@witherslackgroup.co.uk

p.5

School details

Date of previous inspection 12 to 14 October 2021 12 to 14 March 2024

p.5

Information about this school

 Bramley Hill School is an independent special school for pupils aged six to 16. It is part of the Witherslack Group. The proprietor body took ownership of the school in January 2022.  The school caters for pupils with a range of SEND needs, including autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an EHC plan.  Many of the pupils who attend have either been previously excluded or are unable to attend mainstream schools. Pupils are referred to the school by their local authority. There are currently no pupils enrolled in key stage 1.  The previous standard inspection took place in October 2021.  The school is currently using one unregistered alternative provision.

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.

p.6

Information about this inspection

The school meets the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the continued impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned Ofsted to carry out the standard inspection earlier in the cycle than previously planned because of parental complaints raised with the DfE.  Inspectors held a wide range of meetings with the headteacher, senior leaders and teaching and support staff in the school. The lead inspector met with the chief operating officer of the proprietor body, the regional operations director and the regional director. She also met with the chair of governors and a parent. The lead inspector spoke on the telephone with an officer from one of the local authorities which places pupils at the school. She also spoke on the telephone with senior staff from the unregistered alternative provision.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: reading, mathematics, physical education and personal, social and health education. For each deep dive, inspectors held discussions about the curriculum, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to a few pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work. The lead inspector also carried out a work scrutiny of 12 to 14 March 2024 pupils’ work in other subjects.  Inspectors observed pupils’ behaviour during visits to classrooms, during breaktimes and as pupils moved around the school.  Inspectors considered the views of parents expressed in Ofsted Parent View, Ofsted’s online survey for parents. The lead inspector also considered email correspondence received from some parents. Inspectors also considered the views of staff during meetings with them and through the staff survey.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors reviewed the single

p.6

Information about this inspection

central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.

p.7

Inspection team

Shazia Akram, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

p.7

Inspection team

Laurie Anderson His Majesty’s Inspector 12 to 14 March 2024 to 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.

p.7

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8