Grow Independent School

School material change inspection report

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Grow Independent School Lower Clough Business Centre, Pendle Street, Barrowford, Lancashire BB9 8PH

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  The school has a suitable safeguarding policy that has regard to the most recent statutory guidance. This policy is published on the school’s website. There are robust procedures for staff to report any safeguarding concerns.  The school liaises appropriately with external agencies to support pupils’ well-being. Although the school has not needed to make any referrals to children’s services in order to keep pupils safe, staff are knowledgeable about how to do this should the need arise.  The proprietor has ensured that all staff receive regular safeguarding training. This takes account of the increased vulnerability of the school’s pupils. Several staff are trained as designated safeguarding leads (DSL). The proprietor has arranged for a further DSL to be trained. This will provide increased capacity should the proposed

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Main inspection findings

material change be approved. Paragraph 11  The school has a health and safety policy that complies with relevant legislation. The policy is supported by a programme of regular checks to identify and rectify any faults. For example, electrical equipment, gas boilers and the safety of the water supply are tested regularly. Paragraph 12  The proprietor has ensured that the school’s policies and procedures comply with the necessary fire-safety regulations. For instance, fire escapes are clearly marked to facilitate evacuation. Alarm systems and extinguishers are tested regularly. The school carries out periodic fire drills to ensure that pupils and staff know what to do in case of fire. In addition, the proprietor has enlisted a qualified fire assessor to provide assurance that these arrangements will still be suitable should the number of pupils at the school increase. Paragraph 14  The school deploys staff effectively to ensure pupils’ welfare and safety. This includes

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Main inspection findings

staff with the required expertise to meet pupils’ individual needs. The proprietor intends to recruit additional staff if the proposed material change is approved. However, current staffing levels will still allow for appropriate supervision of a greater number of pupils. Paragraph 16(a) and 16(b)  The proprietor has ensured that the school takes the necessary steps to identify and reduce potential risks. Leaders have carefully considered how risk assessments may need to change if there are a greater number of pupils at the school.  It is likely that the independent school standards (‘the standards’) checked in this part will remain met if the proposed material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 21(1) to 21(7)(b)  The required checks on staff’s suitability to work with pupils are completed before they begin working at the school. All appropriate pre-employment checks are recorded

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Main inspection findings

on an electronic single central record. This record is monitored regularly to ensure that it is up to date.  Leaders have completed appropriate training to support the safe recruitment of additional staff. There is a detailed induction process, which makes clear that new staff will undergo a wide range of relevant training on appointment. This includes safeguarding training. Paragraph 19(1) to 19(2)(d)(ii) and 19(3)  The school does not make use of supply staff, nor does it intend to in the future. However, should this change, the proprietor is aware of the checks that are required prior to the employment of supply staff at the school. Paragraph 20(6) to 20(6)(c)  The school carries out suitable checks relating to section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. These checks ensure that staff with leadership and management responsibilities, including members of the proprietor body, are suitable to manage a

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Main inspection findings

school.  It is likely that all the standards in this part will remain met if the proposed material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 22  The school’s premises are safe, secure and attractive. Classrooms and other teaching spaces are clean, tidy and suitably resourced. These spaces are appropriate for their intended use. The proprietor has plans to convert some other parts of the premises into additional classrooms. Nevertheless, the existing classrooms already provide sufficient space for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(2) and 28(1) to 28(2)(b)  The school’s existing toilet and washing facilities are suitable for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Hot and cold water is available for handwashing. This hot water does not pose a risk of scalding. There is a separate, suitable toilet for staff and visitors. To ensure privacy, toilet cubicles can be locked from the inside.

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Main inspection findings

 There are no changing or shower facilities on the school premises. However, the sports centre that pupils visit for weekly physical education sessions has suitable facilities. The school has sole use of these facilities when visiting the sports centre.  Clearly marked drinking water is readily available to pupils throughout the day. Paragraph 24(1) to 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  The staff kitchen can be quickly converted into a medical room if needed. This room is equipped with a bed, first-aid supplies and a sink with hot and cold water. A toilet is adjacent. These arrangements are suitable for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils. Paragraphs 26 to 27(b)  All areas of the school, including classrooms, are well lit and have suitable acoustics. The school has made arrangements which take pupils’ sensory needs into account. There is appropriate outdoor lighting, including emergency lighting, so that visitors,

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Main inspection findings

staff and pupils can enter and exit the building safely in the hours of darkness. Paragraph 25  The proprietor’s arrangements for overseeing the standards related to the school’s premises are thorough. There are regular checks made of the condition of the school’s premises. Any necessary maintenance is carried out promptly to address issues which may arise. Paragraph 29  There is a safely enclosed outdoor space, where pupils can socialise and play outside. This is of sufficient size for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. In addition, the school has ensured that pupils visit nearby sports facilities on a regular basis. This provides both recreation and suitable physical education. Risk assessments have been completed to ensure that pupils’ safety is considered when using, and travelling to, these facilities.  It is likely that all the standards in this part will remain met if the proposed material

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Main inspection findings

change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(a) to 34(c)  The proprietor and leaders have planned carefully for the proposed expansion of the school’s provision. For example, by ensuring that an increase in class sizes would not be detrimental to the education or well-being of current pupils.  The governing body holds the school to account for its work effectively. This helps to ensure that the standards are met consistently. The proprietor has also engaged appropriate external support for the school’s leadership. This provides capacity for the school to continue to develop.  It is likely that the standard in this part will remain met if the proposed material change is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an appropriate accessibility policy in place, which ensures that the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 are likely to continue to be met

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Main inspection findings

if the proposed material change is approved.

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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

Chair Sarah Hawthorne Hannah Collins (co-chairs) Headteacher Sarah Hawthorne

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 8 to 10 October 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 12 15 18

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recommendation

Although the school has proposed to increase the number of pupils it admits to 15, the inspector found that the school’s current premises are suitable for up to 18 pupils without further modification. In addition, the other standards considered during this inspection are likely to remain met if the school admits up to 18 pupils.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 12 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 12 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 12 15

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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 12 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 6 7

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 2 3

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Information about this school

 The school operates from self-contained premises located within Lower Clough Business Centre, Pendle Street, Barrowford, Lancashire BB9 8PH.  One of the two directors of the proprietor body is also the headteacher.  All pupils who attend this school have an education, health and care plan. Most pupils’ needs include autism. Additionally, some pupils have specific learning needs or other neurodiverse conditions.  The school was registered by the Department of Education (DfE) on 25 September 2023. Its first standard inspection took place in October 2024.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was commissioned by the DfE because the proprietor requested an increase to the maximum number of pupils that the school can admit.  The inspector considered whether the relevant requirements in Parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 of the standards are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.  This was the first material change inspection since the school’s previous standard inspection.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the other member of the proprietor body and leaders to discuss the proposed material change. The inspector considered a range of policies and documents relating to this change. The inspector also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including pre-employment checks recorded on the school’s single central record.  The inspector spoke with some pupils about their experiences at the school.  The inspector made a tour of the school’s premises to check their suitability and

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Inspection team

Ben Hill, 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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