Burstow Park School

School material change inspection report

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Burstow Park School Antlands Lane, Burstow, Surrey RH6 9TF

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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 4  The school’s planned curriculum is consistent with the national curriculum. It provides pupils with access to all areas of learning required by the independent school standards (the standards). The school intends to adapt the content of the curriculum and its delivery according to pupils’ individual needs and interests when they join the school.  Pupils have often had an unsettled time in education prior to joining the school and have significant gaps in knowledge. The curriculum is designed to address these gaps and to ensure that pupils are prepared well for the next stage of their education.  The school has introduced new assessment procedures since the last standard inspection. Assessment procedures are designed to identify pupils’ individual starting points, the quality of their learning and the progress they are making against their

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Main inspection findings

individual targets. These procedures are securely established. The school intends to use the same assessment procedures for primary-age pupils if the application to extend the age range is agreed by the Department for Education (DfE).  The school uses a suitable phonics programme to teach early reading skills. All staff have been trained in the teaching of phonics since the last inspection. The school uses regular training to refresh and reinforce staff subject knowledge. The phonics programme is already established and used according to pupils’ individual needs. The school intends to employ the same approach with the younger age groups in the proposed material change.  The school has invested in a series of reading books suitable for primary-age pupils and which are consistent with the phonics programme. Pupils will read regularly to practise and reinforce their reading skills. They will have the same access to the online

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Main inspection findings

library currently used by the older pupils already attending the school, as well as using a range of physical books selected to promote enjoyment of reading.  The school’s personal, social, health and economic programme (PSHE) includes an appropriate range of topics in an age-appropriate way and is embedded well in the curriculum. The school supplements this programme with ‘Social Comms’ lessons to support the development of pupils’ social skills. The proprietor intends to extend the existing programme to use with the younger year groups in the material change proposal. The school provides a range of trips, visits and other activities to enhance pupils’ learning and their enjoyment of school.  The school has established suitable arrangements for informing and consulting with parents about the content of the relationships and sex education.  All subjects are currently taught by specialist teachers. The proprietor has

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Main inspection findings

arrangements in place to ensure that staff have the subject knowledge required to teach primary age pupils effectively. Training will include in-house training delivered by subject specialists, as well as training from external providers. The proprietor has also commissioned an independent external adviser to work with the school in curriculum development from September to December 2025.  Recruitment procedures for additional staff are at an advanced stage. The proprietor intends to appoint staff who have expertise in primary education, including a member of staff who will lead the primary department. The proprietor intends one of the school’s three special educational needs coordinators to have specific responsibility for pupils in the primary phase.  The school has developed its current behaviour policy appropriately for use with pupils in the primary phase. The same policy will be used across both primary and secondary

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Main inspection findings

phases to ensure a consistent approach. The proprietor has used training to strengthen staff expertise in the use of behaviour management strategies since the last inspection.  The school is likely to meet this part of this independent school standards if the material change is approved. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school uses a commercial PSHE programme to support pupils’ personal development. The programme provides relevant content for both secondary and primary phases.  The curriculum ensures that pupils learn about fundamental British values, such as the value of democracy, tolerance and the rule of law. The school uses regular assemblies to explore and promote these values and to learn about different cultures and beliefs.  The school’s curriculum content is supplemented with a range of activities to deepen pupils’ understanding. For instance, the school provides a range of clubs chosen to

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Main inspection findings

appeal to pupils’ interests, such as board and card game club and bead-making club. Trips and visits are built into the curriculum and used to enrich learning.  The curriculum encourages pupils to understand the positive contribution they can make to their community and to respect and value the views of others. For example, pupils have the opportunity to serve on the school council and are encouraged to discuss topical issues. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own learning and to consider the impact of their behaviour on others.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is approved. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b)  The school’s safeguarding policy complies with current statutory guidance and is published on the school’s website. The policy includes a comprehensive range of information and provides a secure basis for safeguarding practice.

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Main inspection findings

 The safeguarding policy clearly identifies key roles and responsibilities. It includes contact details for school personnel as well as for those in the local authority. The policy provides guidance about procedures to be followed where a safeguarding concern arises. The school uses a secure centralised electronic system to record and monitor important safeguarding information.  The school uses a range of training opportunities to ensure that staff have an up-to- date knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14 and 16(a) to 16(b)  The proprietor has ensured that health and safety policies are fit for purpose and embedded in school practice. The school carries out all safety checks methodically and addresses any shortcomings in a timely manner. The school uses ongoing premises checks well to identify and address any maintenance issues.  The school follows its risk assessment policy methodically. The proprietor ensures that

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Main inspection findings

risk assessments are used effectively to identify and mitigate risk across the school’s work, including the completion of risk assessments for individual pupils.  The school’s fire safety policies and procedures are established securely. The proprietor ensures that fire exits are clearly identified, emergency routes are clear and fire extinguishers are serviced regularly. Regular training means that staff are knowledgeable about the school’s fire safety policies and confident about what to do in the event of a fire. The proprietor has established a schedule of auditing activities to check that fire safety arrangements are in place consistently, including external inspections of equipment and fire safety procedures.  Leaders give careful attention to arrangements for the supervision of pupils. High staff-to-pupil ratios and sensible staff deployment ensure that pupils are supervised appropriately. The proprietor has given suitable thought to staffing arrangements

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Main inspection findings

should the DfE approve the proposed material change.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is approved. 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) to 21(2), 21(3)(a)(i) to 21(3)(b), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c) to 21(7) and 21(7)(a) to 21(8)  The proprietor makes sure that all required pre-employment and recruitment checks are carried out. These include statutory checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.  Leaders maintain complete and up-to-date records of suitability checks. The proprietor meets with the school’s designated safeguarding lead regularly to check that all checks and records are in order.  The school is likely to meet this part of the standards if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 24(1)(b), 24(2) to 29(2), 31 to 31(c)

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Main inspection findings

 Burstow Park School operates from two sites, one in Burstow and one in Redhill, which are approximately six miles apart. Visits to both sites during this inspection confirm that there is sufficient space overall to accommodate the school’s proposed increase in the number and age range of pupils on roll.  The Burstow site is the larger of the two sites and currently caters for the vast majority of pupils on roll. The Redhill site currently provides a combination of online and in-person learning for pupils who access education via a ‘blended learning’ approach. The proprietor intends to relocate this latter provision to the main site in Burstow, should the DfE agree this material change application. The Redhill site will then be used to create a primary phase provision for the younger age groups.  The premises on both sites provide a range of rooms and areas which have suitable lighting and an appropriate range of furniture and resources. Both sites have secure

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Main inspection findings

and attractive outdoor spaces for pupils to use for physical and social activities. The school grounds are maintained to a high standard throughout.  The main site in Burstow includes two unused learning spaces: a classroom and a bungalow. The proprietor has also commissioned two new rooms which are currently being built. Once completed, these rooms will provide the school with even greater flexibility to accommodate pupils’ needs.  The school has medical rooms with toilet and wash basin on both sites. Suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided. Drinking water is readily available.  The school is likely to meet this part of the standards if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor is knowledgeable about the independent school standards. They use a range of formal and informal procedures to maintain oversight of the school’s work

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Main inspection findings

and to ensure that the independent school standards are met consistently over time.  The proprietor has accepted the findings of the last standard inspection fully. A raft of initiatives, including changes to the curriculum and staff training, have been introduced since the previous inspection, with work to secure further improvements ongoing to build on these relatively recent developments.  The school intends to take a sensible and proportionate approach to increasing the number of pupils on roll if the material change is approved. The proprietor intends to increase the number of pupils on roll gradually over time with careful consideration given to pupils’ needs.  The school is likely to meet this independent school standard if the material change is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has produced a suitable accessibility plan and the proprietor demonstrates a firm commitment to equal opportunities. In recent years, for example, the proprietor

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Main inspection findings

has made changes to enhance the school’s physical accessibility with the installation of a ramp at the rear of the main building. The school meets the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

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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 category Independent special school

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 22 to 24 October 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 7 to 18 7 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 57 108 108

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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 57 108

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 57 108

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 57 108

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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 57 108

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 13 23

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 Burstow Park School is a special school catering for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils on roll have an education, health and care plan.  The school operates across two separate sites: the main school site based at Antlands Lane, Burstow, Surrey, TH6 9TF and the Blended Learning Centre based at 53 Hanworth Road, Horley, RH1 5HS.  The school uses no alternative provision currently.  The school does not have a governing body.  The last standard inspection took place in October 2024.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to evaluate the school’s application for a material change. The proprietor wishes to increase the age range from 11 to 18, to 7 to 18 and the maximum number of pupils on roll from 83 to 108.  This was the school’s first material change inspection in respect of this particular change that the school has applied to make.  The lead inspector held discussions with the chair of the proprietor, the headteacher and other members of staff. She also toured both school sites, reviewed the school’s website and considered a range of school policies and procedures.

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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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