Meadow Bridge School

School material change inspection report

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Meadow Bridge School The Old School House, High Street, Cricklade, Wiltshire SN6 6DD

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7 (b)  The safeguarding policy on the school website reflects the latest statutory guidance. The school implements this policy effectively. Staff know how to identify safeguarding concerns about pupils. They report concerns to leaders in a timely way. Leaders take appropriate actions to help protect children and maintain strong partnerships with safeguarding partners.  The school has a strong understanding of the risks that pupils face. It keeps a watchful eye on any emerging trends and adapts the personal, social and health education programme when needed. The proprietor ensures that the school reflects continually on its safeguarding policy and practice. This helps to ensure that its safeguarding systems and culture remain fit for purpose. Paragraph 11  The school has a suitable written health and safety policy, with clearly defined roles

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Main inspection findings

for the proprietor and school staff. The school implements this policy robustly. For example, it keeps hazardous cleaning products securely and makes regular checks on carbon monoxide detectors, motor vehicles and emergency lighting. In the proposed new school building, the proprietor has ensured that new circuit boards have been signed off by a qualified installer, for instance. The school reviews and adapts health and safety arrangements regularly according to pupil or staff needs. Paragraph 12  The school buildings comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The proprietor has ensured that there are clear displays of fire routes and fire exits, and that firefighting equipment is close to hand. The school ensures that buildings remain compliant by undertaking routine checks of fire doors, fire break points and the fire alarm system. On the new site, the proprietor has ensured that issues identified in the

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Main inspection findings

fire risk assessment have been addressed. For example, it has checked and ensured that alterations to the kitchen have been signed off by appropriately qualified personnel. Paragraph 14  There are appropriate levels of supervision. These are maintained in all areas of the current school site, such as classrooms, the outdoor learning area and the dining space. The school has considered carefully the staffing arrangements required if the material change is granted. For example, it has planned how pupils would be supervised when moving between the current and new school site, which includes walking along a road. The proprietor has ensured that the school’s plan for recruiting additional staff would sustain the levels of supervision required at both sites. Paragraph 16 to 16 (b)  There are appropriately detailed risk assessments in place to reduce and mitigate risks to pupils and staff. For example, the school undertakes risk assessments prior to trips

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Main inspection findings

and visits, or when pupils participate in a new activity, such as bike riding. In line with its policy, the school assesses risks presented by substances in the school, such as by decorating and building materials. The proprietor ensures that there are suitable management plans in place if necessary.  The proprietor has ensured that the school is likely to continue meeting the independent school standards relating to Part 3 checked on this inspection, if the material change is granted. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii) 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6) to 21(7)(b)  The proprietor ensures that safer recruitment processes are robust and followed diligently by the school. There are suitable checks made on staff. These checks are recorded on the single central register, which is reviewed regularly by the school and

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Main inspection findings

proprietor. Therefore, the standards in this part are likely to remain met if the material change is granted. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The buildings on the school’s current and new sites have been appropriately furbished to provide its curriculum and wider offer to pupils. They have facilities for pupils to learn, socialise and participate in physical education. Classrooms and other teaching spaces are light and acoustically suitable. They are exceptionally well maintained. There are robust processes in place to ensure that the site and facilities are kept to a high standard and remain safe. For example, there are regular checks on water temperatures and water systems are flushed at suitable intervals.  The building on the new site provides ample capacity for the school’s intended expansion in pupil numbers. It is spacious and has a range of spaces that are tailored

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Main inspection findings

to deliver its curriculum. For example, there is a kitchen for older pupils to develop life skills, such as cooking for themselves. The building has a suitable medical room with dedicated toilet. There are many labelled points where pupils can obtain drinking water, and suitable toilets and shower facilities are available.  The school’s existing systems and structures mean that it is well placed to ensure that the independent school standards in Part 5 are likely to remain met if the material change is granted. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and leaders are ambitious for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They wish to raise their admission number to extend their educational offer to more pupils. The new school building is suitable to accommodate this expansion, and staffing plans are convincing and robust to continue to meet

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Main inspection findings

pupils’ needs.  The proprietor and leaders have a secure understanding of the independent school standards. They possess the knowledge and skills to ensure that the school meets standards consistently. There are compelling plans to ensure that pupils would continue to be safeguarded, and that all other standards would continue to be met, including the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010, if the material change is granted.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Email address admin@meadowbridgeschool.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 26 to 28 April 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 19 6 to 19 6 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 45 85 85

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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 45 85

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 45 85

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 45 85

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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 45 85

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 11 17

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 13 19

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Information about this school

 The school provides places for pupils in receipt of an Education, Health and Care Plan for social, emotional and mental health needs and/or communication and interaction needs.  The school currently uses three unregistered alternative provisions.  The school currently operates from The Old School House, High Street, Cricklade, Wiltshire SN6 6DD. Since the previous inspection, it has a opened a second site at Calcutt Street, Cricklade, Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 6BS.  The school received its most recent standard inspection from 26 to 28 April 2023.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to the proprietor’s request to increase the pupil capacity from 50 to 85. This is the first material change that the school has applied to make.  During the inspection, the inspector met with the headteacher and other senior leaders, the chief executive officer of Spaghetti Bridge Ltd and the chair of the governance team.  The inspector reviewed the existing and new premises, and met with leaders and reviewed the school’s plans, to assess whether the relevant independent school standards are likely to continue to be met if the material change is granted.  The inspector reviewed and evaluated documents provided by the school, including risk assessments, policies, the single central record and safeguarding information.

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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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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