Ashley Park School

School material change inspection report

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Ashley Park School 47 Hersham Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 1LE

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g) to 2(2)(i), 2A(1) to 2A(2), 3 to 4  The proprietor has applied to merge this school with Skylarks School and therefore to increase the capacity at this school to 115 pupils. They have also applied to extend the age range to include key stage 1 and a sixth form. It is intended that the site at Ashley Park School will accommodate pupils in key stages 1 and 2, and the site at Skylarks School will be for pupils in key stages 3 and 4 and students in key stage 5.  The school has established an effective curriculum offer over the current age range. A recent full standard inspection of the school found that the curriculum is rich and broad.  The school has prepared an appropriate curriculum policy for the proposed additional key stages, which is supplemented with suitable schemes of work. It is clearly

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Main inspection findings

mapped out and links closely with the current curriculum.  The proposed key stage 1 curriculum, the ‘Discovery Pathway’, takes into account pupils’ starting points and prepares them for entry into key stage 2. It details that pupils in key stage 1 will learn a broad range of subjects based on the national curriculum.  The school already has an appropriate phonics scheme in place to support pupils with learning to read. The school intends to prioritise further staff training and invest in additional supporting resources.  The school has prepared an appropriate curriculum for prospective sixth-form students. It builds in a degree of flexibility to allow students to obtain a range of ambitious qualifications and accreditation.  The school has thought carefully about the destinations of pupils. Current pupils receive appropriate careers education, and the school has suitable plans in place to deliver careers education in the proposed sixth form. For example, the school is using

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Main inspection findings

the Gatsby benchmarks to shape the school’s ‘Incredible Futures’ curriculum and to ensure that sixth-form students have access to appropriate careers advice and opportunities. This proposal includes interactions with local employers and businesses.  The proposed curriculum for key stage 1 and the sixth form includes providing students with personal, social, health and economic education. This is appropriate to the needs of pupils and includes relationships and sex education. The proprietor has a written policy for this and has consulted with parents and carers. The policy is available on the website. It includes information about parents’ right to withdraw their child from elements of this curriculum.  It is intended that all teachers will be taught by qualified teachers, and the school has a clear recruitment plan to meet the needs of the proposed age ranges and new classes.  The school’s current assessment processes are well established and take into account

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Main inspection findings

targets from education, health and care plans. These include the views of parents and carers and pupils. These systems will apply across the proposed additional key stages.  The proposed curriculum across all phases is designed to support pupils’ wider development and to support their understanding of fundamental British values.  There are robust monitoring procedures where information is used to inform the school’s professional development and staff training programme.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The existing curriculum gives careful consideration to pupils’ personal development. It supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The school has considered how this current curriculum will be extended with appropriate materials for the proposed additional key stages.  The school’s ethos promotes mutual respect and positive relationships. Pupils are supported to be resilient and confident learners. Through the school’s personal development programme, pupils are prepared to be successful in the community.  There are opportunities for pupils to benefit from off-site visits and community interactions. These are key elements of the school’s ‘life skills’ curriculum.  Pupils have access to a range of lunchtime activities which also allow them to build positive relationships across age ranges. Pupils are encouraged to be active and

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Main inspection findings

healthy.  There is a commitment to a therapy offer for all pupils with appropriate clinical support.  The school council gives pupils a voice and allows them to learn about democratic processes and collaborative work.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding culture is one of high vigilance. This is recognition of the additional vulnerabilities that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) may have. The proprietor has considered the impact of having older and younger pupils on site and taken this into account when determining which key stages will be on each site.  The safeguarding policy reflects current guidance and is published on the school’s website. Leaders and staff receive appropriate training and understand their

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Main inspection findings

responsibilities. Staff are aware of the school’s policies linked to the welfare, health and safety of pupils.  The school’s designated safeguarding leads understand their responsibilities. They have robust oversight of records and make appropriate referrals to external services.  Staff receive regular safeguarding updates which include local contextual information through the school’s ongoing positive relationships with the local authority and police. Paragraphs 11 and 12  The written health and safety policy is appropriate and tailored to each of the school’s sites. There are robust procedures to ensure that all health and safety checks are completed on both sites. The proprietor has considered how an increase in pupil numbers will affect the welfare and safety of pupils in the school. There has been careful consideration given to which site is most appropriate for pupils of differing key stages.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire safety procedures and checks are comprehensive and reflect the context of each site. Fire evacuation routes are clearly signed and lit. Paragraph 14  Pupils are supervised at all times. There is an appropriate staff-to-pupil ratio. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Written risk assessments identify potential risks and the measures in place to reduce them. The school ensures that pupils’ safety is prioritised.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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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 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6),  The proprietor and school leaders follow safer recruitment principles. Safeguarding responsibilities are discharged appropriately throughout recruitment processes.  The single central record follows all statutory requirements. The existing two separate records will be combined as one for both sites. It is evident that all required checks are completed for staff, school leaders and members of the proprietor board.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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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)(c), 24(2)  The school has suitable toilet and washing facilities. These are appropriate for the changes to the proposed age range and the increase in pupil numbers. Pupils have access to drinking-water.  There is appropriate accommodation at each site for the treatment of pupils who are sick or injured. Medical rooms are well resourced and used for their dedicated purpose. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27 to 27(b), 28(1) to 28(1)(d), 28(2) to 28(2)(b)  On each site, there is suitable external lighting which covers routes around the exterior of the school buildings.  The school’s grounds and buildings are well maintained. One site has a large outdoor area, and leaders have plans to zone this into appropriate areas for pupils of different key stages.  Both sites have appropriate drop-off areas for pupils arriving in taxis and on foot.

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Main inspection findings

Measures are in place to make this a safe routine at the start and end of the school day.  Classrooms and teaching spaces are bright and airy. They are well maintained and equipped with appropriate resources. Classrooms are ready for use and suitable for the proposed age range and increase in total capacity.  Specialist rooms are well equipped and have appropriate risk assessments in place. These include food technology rooms, science laboratories and a fitness room.  The school gives due consideration to the accessibility of both sites. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1(b)  The outdoor space is suitable for physical education lessons, including for students in key stage 5.  The school sites include appropriate outdoor areas for play.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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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 and other leaders have a clear vision for the school. The rationale for the material change is to allow pupils to benefit from a continuous learning journey which supports them from key stage 1 to the end of key stage 5.  The proprietor and school leaders are experienced in providing education for pupils with SEND. There has been consideration given to how the increased age range and capacity will impact current pupils. They have clear plans for supporting pupils’ emotional well-being as the school expands.  The proprietor and school leaders have an in-depth understanding of the independent school standards. There are appropriate procedures to check compliance and robust layers of accountability through the governing body and trust officers.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan fulfils the school’s statutory responsibilities. The proprietor has ensured that the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 are met.

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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

Email address monika.hosker@ashleyparkschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21 to 23 May 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 16 6 to 19 6 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 32 115 115

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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 32 115

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 32 115

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 32 115

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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 32 115

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 7 19

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Information about this school

 The school currently provides full-time education for pupils aged 11 to 16 years. The proposal is for the school to provide full-time education for pupils aged six to 19 years.  The school will operate over two sites. In addition to the school’s registered address at 47 Hersham Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 1LE, the school will operate from a second site. The address of this second site is Wells House, Spa Drive, Epsom KT18 7LR. This is currently the site of Skylarks School which is set to close.  All pupils who attend this school have autism, moderate learning difficulties or specific learning difficulties. They all have an education, health and care plan and their places are funded by their local authority.  The school does not use any alternative provision currently.  The school had its first standard inspection on 21 to 23 June 2024.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to consider the proprietor’s request for a material change to the school’s registration. The proprietor body has requested to change the pupils’ age range from 10 to 16 years to six to 19 years. This will include an increase in the number of pupils who will be admitted from 48 to 115.  The school intends to continue to cater for pupils who have education, health and care plans.  This was the school’s first material change inspection.  The inspection took place at Ashley Park School and at the second site which operates as Skylarks School currently. The inspector toured both sites to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant independent school standards.  The inspector met with school leaders and with representatives from the proprietor and the governing body.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documents and policies relevant to the material

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Information about this inspection

change request. This included checking safeguarding systems and the single central record and meeting with the designated safeguarding leads.

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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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