Bramfield House School

School material change inspection report

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Bramfield House School Walpole Road, Bramfield, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 9AB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The proprietor ensures that there is a large and well-trained safeguarding leadership team. Staff receive regular and appropriate training in how to spot and log concerns. The school responds diligently to concerns raised. It liaises promptly with agencies where needed to secure the help pupils may require. The school is vigilant regarding risks pupils face relating to their special educational needs and/or disabilities. For example, leaders are alert to potential issues of extremism. Pupils learn how to stay safe, such as online. They feel and are safe in the school.  The proprietor has considered any additional risks that may be caused as a result of the material change. For example, it has designed the new provision as a discrete, safe space for younger pupils. The proprietor keeps regular and systematic oversight

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Main inspection findings

of the safeguarding arrangements at the school. Leaders have also ensured that the safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website and available for parents and carers. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16 to 16(b)  There is an appropriate health and safety policy. Checks on health and safety are regular and thorough. Where needed, actions are taken quickly to address any issues. The school trains staff successfully to be aware of and report potential hazards for themselves and pupils. For instance, leaders routinely highlight key risks for staff so that they know what aspects may need special vigilance.  The school ensures that it is compliant with statutory fire safety regulations. For example, a fire risk assessment was conducted recently and the few issues raised as priorities have been promptly addressed. This is an old site, and the school is aware of the fire risks. Therefore, it takes extra precautions such as having an excess of fire

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Main inspection findings

marshals. Staff receive well-considered training in fire safety, for instance regarding safe practice in the kitchen.  The new provision has the fire safety measures in place that it should. For example, there is suitable signage and fire extinguisher checks are up to date.  Risk assessment is embedded in the life of the school. Risk assessments are systematically reviewed. An example is for site issues such as staff working at height in a tall multi-storey building. The school has adapted risk assessments where appropriate to consider the impact of the material change.  The school uses risk assessment carefully to ensure that it is doing all it can to keep pupils safe. It places this work at the heart of its processes to meet pupils’ needs. For example, where pupils struggle to manage their behaviour, the school reviews if it is doing all it can to keep them and others safe. This means it can put in place any

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Main inspection findings

needed support. Paragraph 14  Pupils enjoy strong relationships with staff. Pupils say this helped them have a successful transition into the school when they joined. The proprietor has considered how to ensure that staffing is suitable for the increased cohort. This is both in terms of recruitment and training. For example, staff being inducted will be supported by existing staff who will also work in the new provision.  The proprietor has ensured that all relevant independent school standards (the standards) that were checked in part 3 are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1) to 18(2)(e), 18(3) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c) to 21(7)(b)  The school makes the required vetting checks when it recruits new staff. Staff who manage the single central record have the knowledge they need to do this thoroughly. The proprietor monitors the process routinely. The school’s safer recruitment processes are thorough and rigorous.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change relating to the school’s provision is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2) to 29(1)(b)  The previous boarding accommodation has been converted into a bespoke space for younger pupils. The school has designed this to meet the particular needs of the pupils that will use it. For example, the ground floor has easier access to outdoor play areas. This will be used as a breakout space for pupils whose needs mean they require more support to manage their behaviour. The classrooms are set up for smaller groups than the rest of the school. This will enable staff to meet the needs of younger pupils in a more personalised way.  The new provision is appropriate both for learning and the wider life of the school. There are several other attractive breakout spaces and a sensory room. Classrooms are suitably spacious, have plenty of natural light and are designed well for learning. The proprietor has provided well-resourced catering and dining areas.

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Main inspection findings

 In the site more widely, pupils have access to a very wide and well-developed range of resources such as for construction, a farm and a swimming pool. The proprietor provides therapies on site and there are multiple spaces for this to happen. The school has adapted its current facilities to ensure that it can meet the needs of a larger cohort. For example, it has enlarged its car park and adapted its driveway so the start and end of the school day can continue to be managed successfully.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change relating to the school’s provision is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has a clear and sensible rationale for requesting the material change. This involves the recent closure of the boarding facility. This has released a space that can be used to provide education for an increased number of pupils. The school has also recognised that it is typically receiving and supporting more pupils with multiple and complex needs. The school intends the new provision will enable it to meet pupils’ needs more effectively.  The proprietor keeps rigorous and regular oversight of the provision. There are suitable systems to check that the school is being successful at supporting and educating pupils. The proprietor has ensured that the standards are met consistently over time. It supports and challenges the school effectively.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the

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Main inspection findings

material change relating to the school’s provision is implemented.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £57,680 to £87,680

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 30 January to 1 February 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 16 7 to 16 7 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 115 136 136

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Boys Boys Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 115 136

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 115 136

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 115 136

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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 115 136

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 28 33

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 90 102

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Information about this school

 Bramfield House is a special school for boys aged seven to 16 years who have social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils have often been out of full-time education for long periods prior to admission.  The school is one of several similar schools owned by Acorn Care and Education. A chair of governors oversees the work of the school on behalf of the proprietor. He is also the proprietor’s regional director.  The school uses three unregistered alternative provisions.  At the time of this inspection, the school had 115 pupils on roll. This is slightly above the agreed capacity of 112. This is due to temporary fluctuations in admissions.  The school operates from one site only. This is at Walpole Road, Bramfield, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 9AB.  Since the previous standard inspection, the proprietor has closed the school’s provision for boarding. This has been agreed with the Department for Education

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Information about this school

(DfE).  This is the first additional inspection since the standard inspection on 30 January 2024.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to consider the school’s request for a material change. The proprietor requested to increase the number on roll from 112 to 134 for the school’s educational provision. The proprietor wishes to put this in place from September 2025.  The purpose of the inspection was to establish whether the school is likely to meet the relevant standards if the DfE were to grant the requested material change. This is the first inspection to consider this request.  The inspector met with the executive headteacher, the head of school, other school leaders, a representative of the proprietor and pupils. The inspector spoke by phone with a representative from Norfolk local authority.  The inspector scrutinised the information and policies that are published on the school website. On site, he considered information relating to health and safety, risk assessment and fire safety. The inspector also considered the school’s safeguarding

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Information about this inspection

arrangements and scrutinised the single central record of checks on adults working in the school.

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Inspection team

Charlie Fordham, 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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