Bluebell School Ltd

School material change inspection report

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Bluebell School Ltd Gloucester Road, Kidsgrove, Stoke on Trent ST7 1EH

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1) to 2(2), 2(2)(b) to 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(f), 2(2)(h) to 2(2)(i)  The school intends to expand the age range of pupils so that children from the age of three years old can attend the school. The school anticipates that the children joining will have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It is likely the new children will have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.  The school has designed an ambitious curriculum for the early years foundation stage, which outlines what they want children to know and remember across the seven areas of learning.  Central to the curriculum is language and communication. Staff working closely with the school have expertise in this area and the school are providing ongoing training to existing staff to further develop their expertise.  Suitable plans are in place to ensure that children’s personal, social and emotional

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Main inspection findings

development are also a prime focus. The use of diverse stories and additional experiences will encourage the children to have respect for others, including those with protected characteristics.  A systematic synthetic phonics programme is already in place for pupils in key stage 1. The school has the resources ready to deliver the programme, making appropriate adaptations, for the younger children.  The school has experienced and knowledgeable staff in place who are able to deliver the curriculum for children in the early years. They have the expertise required to adapt the curriculum to meet a range of SEND needs. Paragraphs 3 to 4  Staff at the school have a proven track record of effective teaching, which supports pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress.  Continuous professional development is sharply focused on developing the relevant expertise further. Staff have planned visits to a school already delivering the

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Main inspection findings

curriculum in the early years foundation stage.  Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of how children in the early years learn. Their practice with pupils in key stage 1, is well suited to how younger children learn.  There are high-quality learning environments already in place to facilitate the curriculum for the younger children. These include both indoor and outdoor spaces.  The school has appointed a new foundation stage lead. She has extensive relevant experience and demonstrates a sound understanding of the assessment processes linked to the foundation stage profile. The school has invested in a suitable assessment package to enable staff to use information from assessments to inform their teaching.  The proprietor body has ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school has ensured that there is an appropriate focus on children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in the planned curriculum. This is supplemented by a calendar of events.  Children will develop their understanding of right and wrong through the behaviour curriculum, which includes clear rules and boundaries. Through a focus on topics such as people who help us, they will acquire a knowledge and respect for public institutions and services. This includes visits from firefighters and police.  Children will start to develop their understanding of different cultures and beliefs through story and the exploration of different religious festivals.  Children will start to develop their understanding of democracy through opportunities to contribute their views and ideas to the school council.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7 to 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  There is a written safeguarding policy, which reflects the most recent statutory guidance. It is published on the school website and is available on request.  Leaders have extensive experience and knowledge related to safeguarding and have established a vigilant safeguarding culture. They demonstrate a secure understanding of how to keep pupils safe from harm. They have ensured that all staff currently employed have been suitably trained to recognise any signs that a pupil might be at risk of harm. Rigorous systems and processes are in place for staff to report any concerns they have about a pupil’s or student’s welfare.  Leaders recognise the potential vulnerability of younger children and additional training to support staff communicate effectively with young children is ongoing. Paragraphs 11, 12

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Main inspection findings

 The health and safety policy covers all aspects required and is fit for purpose.  There are thorough systems in place for ensuring that the weekly and monthly checks required are carried out.  External competent persons carry out the required audits and risk assessments related to asbestos and legionella. There are recent certificates to show that checks on electrical installation and firefighting equipment have taken place in the additional premises.  The proprietor body have clear oversight of health and safety through quality assurance. This thorough and organised approach ensures that the premises are maintained to a high standard.  There is a recent and comprehensive fire risk assessment in place with all recommended actions now completed and signed off. Paragraph 14  The school has an existing high ratio of staff to pupils. The school knows this ratio needs to be maintained if the numbers and age range increases. Additional staff have

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Main inspection findings

been employed in preparation for the material change. This high level of staffing will enable the current appropriate levels of supervision to continue. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  There is a clear and suitable risk assessment policy in place. It outlines how risks will be assessed and managed.  There are risk assessments for all areas and pre-planned activities already in use that identify appropriate measures to be put in place to reduce risks.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1) to 18(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(6)  Leaders have a thorough approach to the recruitment of staff and ensure that all of the appropriate pre-employment checks are undertaken. These checks all take place before a member of staff starts working at the school.  The single central record contains the information required.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 29(1)(b)  The proprietor body has secured ownership of an additional building for the proposed increase in capacity at the school. The additional building has been refurbished to a very high standard and will be used to accommodate the key stage 4 pupils.  The additional building has three classrooms, offices, a medical room which doubles as a therapy room, a kitchen, separate toilets with showers, some retreat spaces and an outdoor playground.  There are two individual toilet facilities for the sole use of pupils, which also have a shower. Both have suitable washing facilities, and the temperature of the water does not pose a risk of scalding. There is an additional toilet with disabled access that is also available to staff and visitors.  The medical room, which also serves as a therapy room, has a bed and washing

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Main inspection findings

facilities in it. It is located close to a toilet.  The classrooms all have suitable natural daylight as well as adequate artificial lighting. The acoustics throughout the additional building are suitable.  There are several cold-water supplies, suitable for drinking. They are clearly marked and are available throughout the day.  There is a large tarmac area suitable for pupils to socialise and have outdoor physical education sessions.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body wants to increase the capacity and extend the age range at this school to meet an identified need in the local area.  Leaders have a secure understanding of the implications of having younger children at the school and are well placed to meet the needs of any younger pupils admitted.

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Main inspection findings

 The additional building available is suited to the needs of the pupils it is intended to be used for. It offers a high-quality learning environment suited to the needs of the pupils.  The proprietor body and school leaders have a secure understanding of the independent school standards and have systems in place to ensure that they would be consistently met if the material change requested is granted.  Leaders have a range of experience in teaching and leadership to meet the needs of the intended new children.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor body has ensured that they have a suitable accessibility plan in place that meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  The school has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements.

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Main inspection findings

The school has created an appropriate curriculum with a clear focus on language and communication. The school has planned a suitable curriculum for the seven areas of learning.  The school has a good understanding of the assessment requirements. They have a suitable system ready to implement.  The school has an equally good understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. Existing safeguarding procedures are robust and the school are aware of the additional requirements for children in the foundation stage. Appropriately trained staff with the required ratios are ready to start. Systems in the existing school are robust. There are high quality facilities ready to use that meet the 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

Type of school Other Independent Special School

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School details

Proprietor Hopedale Children and Family Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £47,025 - £79,490

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School details

Email address office@bluebellschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 29 November to 1 December 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 19 3 to 19 3 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 115 140 140

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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 115 140

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 115 140

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 115 140

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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 115 140

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 23 To meet pupils’ needs

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 1 To meet pupils’ needs

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 73 To meet pupils’ needs

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Information about this school

 The school provides education for pupils with special educational needs linked to autism spectrum disorder, learning difficulties or social, emotional mental health. All pupils have an EHC plan.  The school uses no alternative provision.  A range of local authorities place pupils in the school.  The school had a full standard inspection in November 2022. An emergency inspection took place on 19 March 2024.  The school proposes to use a separate premises for key stage 4 pupils if the material change is approved. This is located in The Galley Building, Whitehall Avenue, Kidsgrove, Stoke On Trent ST7 1EW.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to establish if the school would be likely to meet all of the relevant independent school standards if the proposed material change, to increase the number of pupils in the school to 140 and to extend the age range from 5 to 19 to 3 to 19, is implemented. This is the school’s third material change inspection.  The inspection focused on the standards in Part 1 and 2 of the independent school standards that are relevant to children aged three to five. It also focused on some of the welfare, health and safety standards in Part 3, including the safeguarding and welfare requirements, compliance with the health and safety laws and fire regulatory order, the supervision of pupils and appropriate deployment of staff; all of the standards in Part 4 about the suitability of staff; all of the standards in Part 5, premises and accommodation and the standards in Part 8, quality of leadership and

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Information about this inspection

management of schools.  The inspector met with the head of school, the executive headteacher, the early years leader, two directors of education, the school business manager, the group safeguarding lead, and three members of the critical friends. The inspector also spoke to the chair of the proprietor body.  The inspector toured the new accommodation and looked at health and safety documentation related to the new site.  The inspector also spoke to pupils about their well-being and safety.

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Inspection team

Helen Forrest, lead inspector 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

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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