Bridgeway School

Inspection of Bridgeway School Church Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire PR5 6EP

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Does the school meet the independent school standards?

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils receive an exceptional education at Bridgeway School. They develop the confidence, self-esteem and perseverance that they need to approach their next steps with success. Many parents and carers described the school as ‘life-changing’ for their child. The school has a remarkable impact on pupils, academically and socially. Many pupils achieve impressive outcomes.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils receive highly effective packages of support to meet their needs. These enable pupils to experience success when learning. Pupils rise to the high expectations that staff have of them. Pupils’ behaviour improves dramatically over time because they feel listened to and valued. The school is a safe place and pupils build trusting relationships with staff. Pupils are happy in school.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils develop hopes and dreams for their future. An inspirational staff team provide the very best for them. Pupils benefit from a broad range of experiences outside of the classroom. For example, rock climbing, cycling and musical theatre. These experiences help pupils to play an active role in society.

p.2

better?

All pupils at the school have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Every part of each pupil’s learning is specifically designed based on their needs and next steps. The therapeutic team work seamlessly with staff to ensure that the delivery of the curriculum meets the needs of pupils exceptionally well. Most pupils make excellent progress from their starting points. This strong foundation of knowledge prepares pupils well for their next steps.

p.2

better?

Pupils learn a very well-thought-out curriculum that carefully considers what pupils will learn and when this will be taught. The school has mapped out the curriculum so that pupils deepen their understanding over time. There are many opportunities for pupils to consolidate their learning. This helps pupils to learn the curriculum well.

p.2

better?

Pupils learn a broad range of subjects that reflect their interests and future goals. The curriculum is taught by subject experts who ensure that pupils access the curriculum effectively. For example, staff know and use the most appropriate communication strategies for each pupil expertly.

p.2

better?

The school systematically checks what pupils know and remember. Staff use this information to design new learning and to address any gaps in pupils’ knowledge. Furthermore, this assessment information is used to identify any pupil’s changing SEND effectively.

p.2

better?

Staff help pupils to understand the importance of reading. The school identifies any pupils at the early stages of learning to read. These pupils receive excellent support so that they learn to read with increasing confidence and fluency. The broad range 11 to 13 June 2024 of books on offer reflect pupils’ interests as well as a range of backgrounds and cultures.

p.2

better?

Many pupils have experienced a disrupted education at their previous settings. The school’s approach to improving pupils’ rates of attendance, and their engagement with learning, is impressive. The school holds detailed knowledge about each pupil. This helps the school to provide highly effective support that improves pupils’ attendance significantly over time.

p.3

better?

The offer for pupils’ personal development is exemplary. Pupils leave the school with the self-belief that they need to ‘spread their wings’ and reach their goals. Developing pupils’ character is a key priority for the school. Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, experience a vast range of opportunities that build their resilience and prepare them well for the challenges that they may face in their day- to-day lives. For example, pupils discuss how to travel safely and how to respond to unpredictable situations appropriately.

p.3

better?

Pupils receive a well-delivered careers programme. Pupils make informed decisions about their next steps in education, employment or training. Most pupils gain the necessary experience and a range of impressive qualifications to make these aspirations a reality.

p.3

better?

Staff feel that they are highly valued. They appreciate the school’s care and consideration for their workload and well-being. The school carefully designs staff training to help staff learn how to deliver the curriculum and meet pupils’ specific needs exceptionally well. Staff said that the school is an inspirational place to work.

p.3

better?

The proprietor has a clear understanding of the school’s effectiveness. It provides the school with highly effective support and challenge to ensure that the excellent quality of education that pupils receive is maintained. This includes regular checks to ensure the ongoing compliance with the independent school standards (‘the standards’).

p.3

better?

The school complies with the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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. 11 to 13 June 2024 The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school. 11 to 13 June 2024

p.3

School details

Unique reference number 147206 DfE registration number 888/6118

p.5

School details

Inspection number 10322511 Type of school Independent special school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £65,677 to £87,621

p.5

School details

Website www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/bridgeway- school Email address bridgeway@witherslackgroup.co.uk

p.5

School details

Dates of previous inspection 29 June to 1 July 2021 11 to 13 June 2024

p.5

Information about this school

 Bridgeway School is a co-educational school catering for pupils aged nine to 18 years with communication and language difficulties and social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school operates from premises at Church Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire PR5 6EP.  The proprietor is Witherslack Group Limited. The group operates a large number of schools across England.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place from 29 June to 1 July 2021.  At the time of the inspection, there were no pupils on roll in the sixth form and no pupils on roll in key stage 2.  The school is registered to admit up to 56 pupils.  The school uses three unregistered alternative provisions.

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

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

 Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.  This was the second routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors met with the headteacher, deputy headteacher and the regional director. The lead inspector spoke to the chair of the proprietor body by telephone.  The lead inspector spoke to a representative from one of the local authorities that commissions places at the school.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: early reading, mathematics, personal, social, health and economic education and art and design. For each deep dive, inspectors held discussions about the curriculum, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked

p.6

Information about this inspection

at samples of pupils’ work. An inspector listened to pupils read to a trusted adult.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors: reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and 11 to 13 June 2024 considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  An inspector carried out a tour of the premises.  Inspectors reviewed a range of documentation to check compliance with the standards.  Inspectors considered the free-text responses to Ofsted Parent View, as well as the responses to the staff and pupil surveys.  Inspectors spoke with pupils and staff to gather their views of the school.

p.6

Inspection team

Jane Dennis, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector

p.7

Inspection team

Phill Walmsley Ofsted Inspector 11 to 13 June 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