Wetherby Pembridge

School pre-registration inspection report

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Wetherby Pembridge Emberton House, Maclise Road, London W14 8UX

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h) to 2(2)(i), 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d) to 2A(2), 3 to 4  The proposed school’s curriculum policy builds on the school’s three pillars of learning: academic excellence, performing arts and sport. Leaders have set out a clear purpose and ambition for the quality of education and are in the process of appointing staff with appropriate qualifications to deliver it.  The curriculum is broad and includes all the areas of learning as required by the independent school standards (the standards). In addition to English, mathematics, science, personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) and physical education, pupils in Years 7 and 8 will study a rich range of subjects such as humanities, the arts, computing, three modern foreign languages and Latin. In Year 9, pupils will study separate sciences and choose which two languages to continue

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Main inspection findings

studying.  Curriculum plans are in place for all the subjects for all year groups. The headteacher is personally assuring the quality of these plans. Resources to support the delivery of the curriculum are on order. The curriculum plans identify all the key knowledge and skills that pupils will learn. The plans also reflect the school’s strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and fundamental British values.  The school has an assessment policy in place, which is linked to the delivery of curriculum plans and uses a variety of teaching activities to check pupils’ understanding. Leaders have also developed a suitable format to report in detail on pupils’ progress to parents and carers.  The school has a detailed curriculum plan for PSHE education using a range of appropriate resources. This includes age-appropriate relationships and sex education in line with the school’s policy and statutory guidance.

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s careers policy underpins how leaders intend to deliver careers education, advice and guidance to pupils. Careers advice and guidance will be delivered through units in PSHE and will be covered in all year groups. Pupils will learn about the importance of not limiting their careers choices and about the wide range of opportunities available to them.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school has planned a wide range of opportunities in the curriculum for pupils’ personal development. This includes PSHE and theology, philosophy and religion. In all subject areas, the school has identified in its plans how the subject contributes to pupils’ understanding and respect for different cultural traditions and religions.  The proposed school intends to focus on performing arts and sport, which will provide opportunities for pupils to develop creativity, leadership and teamwork. There will be a range of clubs and activities to complement the taught curriculum.  The school intends to have a house system to build a sense of community and belonging for pupils.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 9 to 16(b)  The safeguarding policy meets requirements. The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) has been appointed and is undergoing appropriate training. The headteacher (the deputy DSL) and the proprietor body are trained appropriately and are knowledgeable about safeguarding practice. They can identify risks and how to use expertise in local authorities, the police and other agencies to support pupils.  Leaders make expectations of staff clear through the staff conduct policy. Induction training for newly appointed staff is already underway, and in-depth safeguarding training planned for September 2025 will be followed by online training modules. Safeguarding concerns will be recorded on the school’s management information system.  Information about safeguarding is available for pupils and parents in the school’s welcome pack. Pupils will learn how to keep safe and manage risk for themselves,

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Main inspection findings

including online safety, in their PSHE lessons. There is a suitable health and safety policy.  The school has a behaviour policy and arrangements for recording concerns and sanctions and rewards. There are plans to provide pastoral care through tutors and a house system. The anti-bullying policy is appropriate and in line with the school’s values of kindness and respect.  The school has a suitable first-aid policy. The school intends for all staff to have first- aid training. Arrangements to supervise pupils around the school are likely to be appropriate. Rotas have been drawn up for the start and end of the day, breaktimes and lunchtimes and for when the weather is wet. The school’s admission and attendance registers are likely to meet the regulatory requirements.  The school’s risk assessment policy is comprehensive and detailed, with useful precision about the range and type of risk assessments required. Risk assessments for

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Main inspection findings

the school’s building, proposed use of spaces and activities inside the school and in the local community, including fire risk assessments, are comprehensive and suitable.  The school is likely to meet the requirements in this part of the standards.

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Main inspection findings

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), 19(3), 20(6) to 26(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c) to 21(6)  The headteacher and human resources staff are knowledgeable and well organised. They understand the importance of safer recruitment and know how to make and record all the required checks for staff and the proprietor. These are completed and recorded accurately on the single central record.  The headteacher and the proprietor have completed safer recruitment training. They ensure that they test out candidates’ understanding of safeguarding culture, for example, by asking questions about safeguarding at every stage of the interview and appointment process.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

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 proposed school’s premises are a new build. The premises, accommodation and facilities of the new building have been designed and executed to a high specification to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils. It occupies seven storeys and a basement, which houses the school’s 125-seat theatre space.  Fixtures and fittings have been carefully selected to ensure functionality. This includes, for example, equipment for art and design such as a pottery kiln and dark room, a dance studio and a gym cardiac zone. Science laboratories have integrated services and safety equipment, including fume cupboards, eyewash stations and fire safety systems. Reading and reference books for the proposed school’s library are on order for delivery before the start of the school year in September. The theatre has

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Main inspection findings

telescopic seating designed to fold away when not in use, allowing the space to be repurposed efficiently.  Lighting is suitable for the nature of the activities intended. Natural daylight is prioritised where possible, for example in teaching spaces and social areas. Classrooms will have blinds installed to control daylight and sunlight and to avoid glare and summertime overheating. Emergency lighting is fitted on all floors. External lighting is provided to ensure that people can enter and leave the proposed premises safely.  Acoustic conditions and sound insulation throughout the building take careful account of the activities that will normally take place in each room or other space. Those that require higher acoustic standards, such as music rooms, have been appropriately insulated. Disturbance from external noise has been measured and minimised.  The medical room for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils is of a suitable

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Main inspection findings

size. It has a wash basin, a first-aid room examination couch and other furniture suitable for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils. A toilet suitable for disabled pupils is situated very close by.  Suitable separate changing rooms and showers for girls and boys are in place. Toilets for disabled pupils are situated on all floors, so users do not need to change floor level. They include one toilet, one washbasin and an accessible shower. They can be secured from the inside and open directly onto a corridor or a circulation space. Toilets and washing facilities for pupils are provided on all floors and intended for use by one pupil at a time. They are in places that provide easy access and allow for informal supervision by staff without compromising privacy for pupils. Toilet doors can be secured from the inside for pupils’ privacy. Hot and cold water for handwashing is regulated to avoid scalding. Separate toilets are provided for staff on each floor.

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Main inspection findings

 Drinking-water points are provided widely throughout the building and labelled as such. They are separate from the toilet facilities.  The large external terrace on the fifth floor has appropriately paved flooring and an opaque safety barrier installed around the edge. The terrace is a suitable space for pupils to play.  The school’s sports ground is a secure site with facilities for rugby, football, cricket, tennis, athletics and all-weather pitches. There is a pavilion, appropriate changing facilities and showers for girls and boys.  The school is likely to meet the requirements in this part of the standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(b)(ii) to 32(4)(c)  The proposed school has a website, which includes all the information required by the standards. School policies, including the safeguarding policy, are up to date and on the website. There are contact details for the headteacher, governors and the proprietor so that parents can contact them.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  The complaints policy clearly sets out the process to be followed if anyone wishes to make a complaint about the school. The policy includes suitable timescales and how complaints and outcomes will be recorded and communicated. The complaints policy meets requirements.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that all the standards are likely to be met. The new building has pupils’ learning at the heart of the design, with a range of facilities. Accessibility has also been a priority for leaders. For example, two full-access passenger lifts serve all levels of the building, from the ground floor to the seventh. A third lift serving the basement from the ground floor enables ease of access to the

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Main inspection findings

theatre. Wheelchair-accessible seating is available on the theatre’s mezzanine level. Learning environments have been designed with sufficient spatial provision to meet the needs of wheelchair users.  The members of the proprietor body are knowledgeable, experienced and committed to the proposed school. They have a strong track record of governance and leadership across other independent schools in the local area within the group. Together with the headteacher, they are ambitious for the school and its pupils. The school’s values of kindness, respect, resilience and ambition are a clear priority for leaders.  The proprietor is thoughtful about the balance needed between challenge and support for school leaders. An appraisal process is in place for the headteacher and is ready to be rolled out across all staff. The proprietor intends to take robust practical steps to communicate effectively with and respond to parents. These will include, for example,

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Main inspection findings

surveys, stakeholder meetings and a parents’ association.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has a suitable accessibility policy and plan in place.  The school is likely to meet the requirements in this part.

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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.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

Email address headmaster@wetherbypembridge.co.uk

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 14 11 to 14 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 200 200

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 200

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable Not applicable Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable None

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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 Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 18

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable None

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is a secondary school for boys and girls between the ages of 11 to 14. The proprietor plans to extend the age range of the school to include older pupils in the future.  The members of the proprietor body are also governors of the school. The chair of the proprietor body is the chair of governors.  The school is located at Emberton House, Maclise Road, London, W14 8UX. The school will also take possession of its own sports ground. This is currently known as The Latymer Upper School Sports Ground, Wood Lane, W12 0HJ.  The school does not intend to make use of alternative provision.  The school is part of the Inspired Education Group, which is a large global provider of independent schools.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to check whether the proposed school was likely to meet all the standards if it were to open.  The inspection took place on 25 June 2025. An additional visit was conducted on 23 July 2025.  This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspectors held meetings with the headteacher and the proprietor about their ambition for the new school, their values and the arrangements for governance.  The inspectors met with other staff of Inspired Education Group regarding the building works. This included touring the building and visiting the sports ground.  The inspectors reviewed documents relating to the curriculum, the school’s safeguarding policy, pupils’ welfare and health and safety, risk assessments and leaders’ processes for recruitment, including for checking and recording the suitability of staff.

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Inspection team

Janet Hallett, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection team

Madeleine Gerard 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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