Waterloo Lodge

School material change inspection report

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Waterloo Lodge 173 Preston Road, Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley PR6 7AX

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 2, 2(1)–2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a)–2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  There is an appropriate curriculum policy in place. This includes reference to how each subject will impact pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) education. The policy also documents leaders’ consideration for the promotion of fundamental British values and what it means to live in modern Britain.  There are plans and schemes of work in place for each subject on offer. These have been well thought out to ensure that they are suitable for pupils in Years 5 and 6. Leaders have thought carefully about the knowledge that these pupils will be taught and the order in which pupils will learn it. There has been additional consideration for how the delivery of the curriculum may be adapted to meet the needs of pupils who attend the school.  The curriculum plans and schemes of work show that pupils learn a broad range of

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Main inspection findings

subjects and work towards recognised qualifications for each one. There is additional consideration for how pupils at the early stages of reading will be supported alongside ensuring that staff have suitable expertise to teach these pupils.  Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education will be taught through timetabled lessons. In addition to this, leaders have set out where many aspects of PSHE education will be woven into whole-school activities, such as assemblies and trips out of school.  Leaders have thought carefully about how best to prepare pupils for their next steps when they leave the school. There is a comprehensive offer in place for pupils’ careers education. Leaders have thought about how pupils’ learning in key stage 2 will prepare them for key stage 3 and beyond. Paragraph 2A(1)–2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d)–2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3)  The PSHE education curriculum takes into account statutory guidance for relationships

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Main inspection findings

and sex education and health education. There is suitable information contained within the policy for parents and carers to fully understand the content of the curriculum and to be able to make an informed decision should they wish to withdraw their child from the non-statutory elements. There are opportunities for parents to provide feedback on the school’s policy. Paragraph 3, 3(a)–3(j)  The proprietor already has a staff team in place with the experience and expertise to teach the Year 5 and Year 6 subject curriculums to a high standard. Leaders make considered decisions around recruitment that ensure that they appoint staff with a secure understanding of how to meet pupils’ needs. There will be no additional staff recruited should the proposed material change be approved.  Staff who will be teaching pupils in Year 5 and Year 6 have experience of primary education. The school has ensured that these staff can design suitable lesson

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Main inspection findings

activities that will support pupils to learn the intended curriculum. Age-appropriate resources have been sourced for the additional age range. The school has also allocated separate outdoor spaces for these primary-age pupils.  The proprietor is committed to providing a good-quality education for pupils. The headteacher and deputy headteacher have sufficient knowledge, skills and experience to guide and support teachers. This should enable teachers to provide a suitable quality of education for key stage 2 pupils. Paragraph 4  Leaders have a suitable assessment policy in place.  Leaders will assess pupils’ knowledge and skills when they start at the school. In addition, they will assess pupils’ learning needs to identify how best to support pupils to access the curriculum. Pupils’ progress and attainment will be assessed regularly. Pupils’ progress will be shared regularly with parents and those responsible for

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Main inspection findings

governance. Teachers will use the information from these assessments to plan learning based on what pupils already know and can do.  Pupils will complete national end-of-key-stage assessments, as appropriate.  The independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b)–5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d)–5(d)(iii)  Pupils’ SMSC development is central to the school’s aims, policies and plans for enrichment activities.  The PSHE education scheme of work shows where pupils will learn about fundamental British values, such as democracy. It also sets out how pupils will learn about the differences between people and the importance of respect. The PSHE education curriculum shows clear consideration for preparing pupils for their next steps so that they understand the world around them.  The school makes sure that pupils are active citizens in the local community, for example by engaging in fundraising projects for local charities.  The school’s policies show due regard for all of the protected characteristics.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the request for the material change is

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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 has put a safeguarding policy in place that reflects the most up-to-date statutory guidance. The policy is published on the school website and is also available from the school office.  Leaders have a robust oversight of the school’s safeguarding arrangements. They provide safeguarding training for staff that specifically focuses on the needs of pupils who attend the school.  The designated safeguarding leads make sure that there are consistent approaches for identifying, reporting and recording concerns. Staff are familiar with the school’s whistle-blowing policy.  The standard checked in this part is likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  Leaders have designed and overseen the redevelopment of the top floor of the school building to provide suitable accommodation for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils.  The proprietor and school leaders demonstrate secure skills and knowledge, appropriate to their roles, to ensure that the standards are met. There are rigorous systems in place to monitor the school’s ongoing compliance with the standards.  Leaders are vigilant in promoting the well-being of pupils.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan reflects the school’s statutory responsibilities.

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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 Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £50,792 to £80,000

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 20 to 22 February 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 9 to 18 9 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 55 55 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 55 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 55 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 55 55

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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 55 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 12 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 15 15

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was 20 to 22 February 2024.  The school is located at 173 Preston Road, Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley PR6 7AX.  Pupils who attend the school have an education, health and care plan. Most pupils have a diagnosis of autism. A small number of pupils have social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  Leaders make use of one registered and two unregistered alternative provisions for a small number of pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned this material change inspection to evaluate the school’s likely compliance with the relevant standards if the DfE approves the proprietor’s request to extend the age range from 11 to 18 years to nine to 18 years.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of the school’s age range since the school’s standard inspection in February 2024.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher and other staff. This included the school’s designated safeguarding leads. The inspector scrutinised documentation that showed how the proprietor monitors the school’s ongoing compliance with the standards.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation and policies relevant to the material change request. These included plans and schemes of work for the proposed

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Information about this inspection

additional year groups as well as documentation relating to safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Jane Dennis, 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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