Broadlands Hall

School material change inspection report

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Broadlands Hall Little Wratting, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 7UA

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7–7(b), 8–8(b) and 32(1)(c)  The designated safeguarding leads are well trained. They are knowledgeable in how to manage safeguarding concerns.  The proprietor has ensured that the school provides staff with useful safeguarding training. Staff know how to spot the signs that indicate a pupil may be at risk of harm. They record concerns accurately and swiftly using the school’s agreed procedures.  Leaders have implemented more effective systems to analyse information related to safeguarding, behaviour and attendance. These help leaders to quickly understand when they need to work with other agencies to support pupils.  The proprietor has ensured that there is an appropriate safeguarding policy in place. It is available to view on the school’s website. The policy reflects the latest statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE).

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 11  The school has appropriate health and safety policies in place. Staff apply these policies effectively.  The school completes thorough checks on the premises. Where needed, the school acts promptly, to remedy any issues. Paragraph 12  The proprietor has ensured that the buildings are likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The school has put in place suitable fire risk assessments. This includes for the newly constructed building.  The school completes routine checks on the fire alarms, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers.  Fire exits are clearly demarcated. There are clear systems in place for the safe evacuation of the site. Paragraph 14  The school has an appropriate ratio of pupils to staff. Staff teach pupils and students in small class sizes. These are suitable to meet the needs of pupils.  Staff understand the specific needs of pupils. This helps staff to provide effective

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Main inspection findings

support.  Leaders have clear plans in place for when they will recruit additional staff should the material change be approved. There are clear processes in place to ensure staff have the training they need to meet the needs of pupils.  Leaders have clear and sensible plans to manage the increase in numbers. They intend to only increase numbers into a curriculum pathway where there is capacity to do so. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  There are appropriate risk assessments in place. For example, risk assessments related to curriculum subjects identify potential risks and how to reduce these risks. Staff implement these risk assessments successfully.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1)–18(3), 19(2) –19(3) and 21(1)–(21)(5)(c)  Those responsible for recruitment have the knowledge required to complete the

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Main inspection findings

necessary pre-employment checks on new staff.  Appropriate recruitment and suitability checks are completed for staff, including supply staff.  The school accurately records information on the checks it has completed onto the single central record.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1)–23(1)(c), 24(1)–(24)(1)(c), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1)– 28(2)(b), 29(1)–29(1)(b) and 30  There are enough class spaces to accommodate the proposed increase in pupils.  Classrooms are appropriate spaces for learning. They are well ventilated, bright and light.  The school has developed additional classrooms to support with the teaching of early reading and early mathematics.  Now the building work is complete, the proprietor has plans in place to redecorate existing class spaces to make these as bright and inviting as newer class spaces.

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Main inspection findings

 Classrooms are well resourced to enable staff to teach the planned curriculum. For example, pupils have access to specialist cooking and music equipment.  The proprietor has ensured that there is suitable access throughout the site to toilets and washing facilities. The hot water temperature is appropriate.  Drinking water is clearly labelled and readily accessible to pupils.  The medical room contains a bed, lockable medical cabinet and washing facilities. It is located near the toilets.  There is sufficient space available for pupils’ social time. Spaces inside provide a calm and welcoming space for pupils to socialise. The dining hall is a pleasant space for pupils to each lunch in.  The outside space has been developed and improved over time. It provides ample space for pupils to socialise, and for physical education lessons.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is

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Main inspection findings

approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  Leaders are knowledgeable in how to meet the specific needs of pupils who attend the school.  The proprietor works closely with school leaders to check on the quality of education on offer.  The proprietor has supported leaders to carefully manage the growth of the school over time. He has the knowledge and experience to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of pupils are maintained should the material change be granted, and before applying for any future increase in numbers.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  There is an appropriate accessibility plan in place. The school has ensured that the requirements are likely to continue to be met should the material change be approved.

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The likely effectiveness of leaders and managers to ensure the NMS are likely to be met

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 The leadership team is experienced and knowledgeable. Leaders demonstrate sufficient understanding of the requirements for registration.  The boarding coordinator is the owner and proprietor. Once the residential accommodation is set up, plans are in place to appoint an identified leader. The proprietor has another independent preparatory boarding school.  The accommodation is spacious, with eight bedrooms over two floors. These rooms are all single, and four combine en-suite bathrooms, with a shared bathroom between two for the other four bedrooms. The bedrooms have all the required facilities and are well lit and ventilated.  There are several communal areas that have resources and space for children to relax. The extensive grounds have outdoor play equipment and sports areas. The school will be available for evening study and pursuit of specific interests.  Children will have access to the surrounding grounds, and the accommodation is

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controlled by secure key fob entry. At night there will be waking-night staff. This limits the potential for people who should not access the accommodation being able to do so.  The leadership team understands the need to risk assess sleeping arrangements and will do so based on age, gender, and additional needs.  A waking-night member of staff will be on duty. There are arrangements for staff accommodation, in the form of a sleep-in room if required. Children will not be able to access this, although they will be able to contact staff if needed.  Children will have sole use of bedrooms. Therefore, if they become unwell, they can use their allocated bedroom without risk of cross infection.  Older children will have access to laundry facilities. Younger children will have the option of staff doing their laundry.  There are small kitchenette facilities to store and prepare food on the ground floor

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and second floor. Cooked evening meals will be provided by the house cook.  The proprietor and leadership team understand the importance of fire safety. A clear fire safety management plan is in place, with a fire risk assessment and regular fire equipment checks.  An appropriate safeguarding policy is in place. Staff and designated safeguarding leads will have the appropriate training.  The leadership team has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and are alert to the importance of recognising and responding to any concerns regarding staff practice.  The leadership team is aware of the local safeguarding partnership and local authority designated officer.  An independent person will be made available for children to contact.  A monitoring visitor has been provisionally identified.  The staff team will include a boarding coordinator, one senior member of staff and three residential childcare officers. The childcare officer posts have yet to be

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recruited to. However, the organisation has the capacity to call on experienced staff to carry out these roles if recruitment is problematic.  The leadership team understands the importance of good induction, training and supervision of staff. Staff will receive half termly one-to-one meetings and regular team meetings.  The leadership team has ensured that a statement of boarding principles is in place.  Based on the information gathered, leaders and managers are likely to lead the residential provision in such a way as to meet the national minimum standards.

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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

Date of previous standard inspection 22 to 24 October 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 9 to 20 9 to 20 9 to 20

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 48 65 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 48 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 48 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 48 65

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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 48 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 33 39

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 4

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Information about this school

 The school operates from one site at Little Wratting, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 7UA.  Broadlands Hall is registered to admit up to 50 pupils between the ages of nine and 20 years.  The school has a single proprietor.  The headteacher joined in September 2024.  All pupils who are attend are boys who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan and/or a diagnosis of autism.  Many pupils have had significant periods of disruption to their formal education prior to joining the school.  Pupils are referred to the school by their local authority.  The school does not currently use any alternative provision.  The school’s most recent standard inspection was in October 2024. The school was judged to be good in all areas.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE in response to a request from the proprietor for a material change to increase the number of pupils on roll and add boarding provision.  The education provision and proposed boarding provision were inspected separately but on the same day.  Inspectors met with the proprietor, the headteacher, other leaders and staff.  Inspectors checked the school’s single central record of background checks for adults working at the school.  A range of documents relating to the safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and school development were scrutinised.  Inspectors had a tour of the school site with leaders. They spoke with some pupils and staff.

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Inspection team

Michael Williams, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Deidra Keating, lead inspector Social Care Regulatory 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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