Bridge House School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Bridge House School 1 Stuart Road, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2SR

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2) to 2(2)(h)  At the school’s standard inspection in November 2023, inspectors found that the curriculum was in the early stages of development. In some subjects, leaders had not identified the specific knowledge that pupils needed to learn nor the order in which it should be taught. Pupils did not have the opportunity to study towards accredited qualifications.  School leaders have put in place plans and schemes of work for all subjects that are on offer. They have identified the key knowledge that pupils need to know and remember, and have thought about the sequence of the curriculum. The school’s subject plans take into account the needs of pupils with education, health and care (EHC) plans. There are now comprehensive assessments in place for pupils’ academic learning as well as their personal development. These developments are supporting pupils to learn and make

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Main inspection findings

progress. There are a range of recognised qualifications for pupils to work towards.  This independent school standard (‘the standard’) is now met. Paragraph 2(A)(1) to 2(A)(1)(f)  Inspectors found that the proprietor had not ensured that pupils learned what they needed to about relationships and sex education (RSE) at an age-appropriate level. In addition, the proprietor had not prepared a written statement of its policy with regard to RSE or consulted with parents and carers before making or revising such a policy.  School leaders have put in place an appropriate RSE policy and curriculum which takes the statutory guidance into account. They have consulted with parents and given them enough information about the content of the curriculum to make an informed choice about which aspects they are able to withdraw their children from.  This standard is now met. Paragraph 3 to 3(d), 3(g)  At the school’s last standard inspection, inspectors found that teaching did not help

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Main inspection findings

pupils to acquire sufficient new knowledge or to achieve well. In some lessons, teachers did not devise activities that were appropriately adapted to the needs of pupils. Teachers did not use the school’s assessment system consistently well.  Teachers are using the school’s assessment framework effectively in order to check what pupils know and remember. This information is shared between staff to support teachers to plan new learning according to pupils’ abilities. This supports all pupils to acquire new knowledge and progress across the curriculum, and to engage positively in their lessons. There is a quality assurance model in place that enables leaders to check that the intended curriculum is being taught and how effectively pupils are learning the curriculum.  This standard is now met.  The standards in this part are now met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 5 to 5(b)(i)  The offer for pupils’ social, emotional, spiritual and cultural development has been carefully mapped out by leaders. Pupils have regular and well-planned opportunities to develop their self-esteem. For example, pupils help to organise trips out of school, including planning transport and funding.  The standard in this part continues to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1)(c)  Leaders make regular checks on the culture of safeguarding. The safeguarding policy shows regard to statutory guidance and is published on the school’s website. There are effective systems and procedures in place to keep pupils safe from harm. Well-planned staff training enables staff to know the risks that pupils face in relation to their needs and vulnerabilities. Staff are vigilant for signs of harm and know how to report their concerns to leaders. This includes where concerns may be about adults who work in the

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Main inspection findings

school.  These standards continue to be met. Paragraph 14  Leaders make sure that staff have the training that they need to fulfil their roles well. They deploy staff appropriately to keep pupils well supervised so that they are kept safe. Pupils have individual risk assessments that are regularly reviewed by staff. These are used to fully understand the support that each pupil may need to be safe and to learn with success.  This standard continues to be met. Paragraph 15  At the school’s last standard inspection, inspectors found that the proprietor had not ensured that the attendance register was kept in line with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 which were in place at the time.  School leaders now have a secure understanding of the requirements for recording pupils’ attendance. Pupils’ attendance is being recorded with accuracy and is checked by the proprietor. The attendance register is now kept in accordance with current statutory

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Main inspection findings

guidance.  The standard in this part is now met. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  There is a suitable risk assessment policy in place. Leaders identify risks appropriately and share the information in a clear way with staff. Risk assessments are evaluated regularly and show regard to pupils’ changing needs.  This standard continues to be met.  The standards in this part are met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The premises are maintained to a high standard. There are regular checks on all parts of the building to ensure that it is a safe learning environment for pupils. The health and safety policy is suitable and sets out the proprietor’s expectations for how the building will continue to be a safe environment.  The standard in this part continues to be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(f)  Parents receive a termly written update about their child’s progress and attainment. This

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Main inspection findings

includes information about their attendance. Information is presented in an accessible format and the school provides opportunities for parents to discuss the information with staff.  The standard in this part continues to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  At the school’s last standard inspection, inspectors found that the proprietor had failed to ensure that the standards for the quality of education and welfare, health and safety of pupils were met. Systems for monitoring the strategic and day-to-day aspects of the operation of the school were at the early stages of implementation.  The school has overhauled the curriculum to make it fit for purpose. Pupils now learn a curriculum that prepares them more successfully for their next steps. Alongside this, leaders have provided a wealth of staff training that has enabled staff to identify and

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Main inspection findings

meet pupils’ needs more effectively.  The proprietor has supported leaders to ensure that all standards are met and there are robust systems in place so that these are met consistently. The curriculum and its implementation comply with the standards and with statutory requirements, such as for relationships and sex education. The new leaders have the expertise that they need to make sure that the standards are met. Leaders also make use of external professionals with the background of supporting pupils with similar needs and an in-depth knowledge of the standards, to quality assure the systems and processes now in place.  The standard in this part is now met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 2(A)(1)(d) in making arrangements for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), has regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 that applies in relation to the provision of education by maintained schools, – 2(A)(1)(e) makes and keeps up to date a separate written statement of its policy with regard to the provision of education as required by each of paragraphs (a) and (b), – 2(A)(1)(f) consults parents of registered pupils at the school before making or revising a statement under sub-paragraph (e).

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(b) fosters in pupils self-motivation, the application of intellectual, physical and creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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School details

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

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School details

Type of school Independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Proprietor Blazing Stars Education Limited

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School details

Email address lee.cambray@blazingstarseducation.com

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 7 to 9 November 2023

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Information about this school

 The previous standard inspection took place on 7 to 9 November 2023.  The school operates from premises at 1 Stuart Road, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2SR.  The school makes use of one unregistered alternative provision.  The chair of the proprietor body has changed since the previous inspection.  The school caters for pupils with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. Most pupils at this school have an EHC plan.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The Department for Education (DfE) requested that some additional standards in parts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 be considered as part of this inspection.  This is the school’s first monitoring inspection following the standard inspection in November 2023.  The DfE required the school the prepare a statutory action plan. This action plan was reviewed by Ofsted on 22 March 2024. The DfE rejected the school’s action plan.  This inspection was carried out without notice.  The inspector met with the headteacher, deputy headteacher, the special educational needs coordinator and the proprietor.  The inspector met with some of the teachers and support staff and looked at samples of

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Information about this inspection

pupils’ work.  The inspector made a tour of the site.  The inspector reviewed a wide range of documentation. This included information relating to the standards, the school’s curriculum, leaders’ improvement priorities, leaders’ approach to safeguarding pupils and the checks that leaders carry out on newly appointed staff, including supply staff.

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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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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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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