Blooming Tree School

School material change inspection report

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Blooming Tree Pre Prep School Swarn House, 296 High Street, Acton, London W3 9BJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 11, 12, 14, 16 to 16(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  A strong safeguarding culture is evident across the school. Staff are vigilant and aware of pupils’ needs, recognising that many are non-verbal and may express concerns through changes in behaviour or physical presentation. Leaders ensure that all staff receive thorough and regular safeguarding training, including during induction.  The school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance. Staff follow clear procedures for reporting and recording concerns, which leaders monitor closely. There is a shared understanding across the staff team of their responsibility to keep pupils safe and promote their welfare.  The school publishes the required information on its website and provides copies to parents of current and prospective pupils on request. This includes the safeguarding

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Main inspection findings

policy, inspection reports and other relevant information required by the independent school standards.  The school has an up-to-date health and safety policy, which leaders implement effectively. Frequent checks on the premises take place, including fire alarm tests and water temperature monitoring, and are recorded appropriately. Staff complete training such as paediatric first aid, with refresher training as needed. Leaders adapt routines and environments carefully to meet pupils’ individual needs.  The school ensures that fire safety procedures comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. An external fire risk assessment has been completed. Routine fire safety checks are carried out and recorded, including weekly alarms, fire drills and equipment tests.  The supervision of pupils is appropriate and well considered. All pupils continue to receive at least one-to-one support throughout the day. Staff know pupils well and are

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Main inspection findings

deployed carefully to meet their individual needs and manage any risks.  The school has a clear risk assessment policy, which is implemented consistently. Leaders ensure that risk assessments are appropriately detailed and specific to individual pupils, taking account of their vulnerabilities and needs.  The school intends to continue with its well-established approaches to securing pupils’ welfare and safety, including assessment of risk, if the material change is approved.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented.

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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) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(c) and 21(6)  The school’s recruitment procedures are robust. Leaders carry out all required pre- employment checks, including identity, right to work, qualifications and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Additional overseas checks are completed where necessary. These checks are recorded accurately on the school’s single central record. The proprietor is diligent in ensuring that no one prohibited from working with children is employed at the school.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(b), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27 to 27(b), 28(1) to 28(2)(b) and 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  Leaders plan to use the annex at the rear of the building to provide four large classroom spaces and a covered play area. This additional space will provide suitable capacity for up to 30 more pupils.  The premises, including the additional annex at the rear of the building, are clean, well maintained and secure. Lighting and acoustics are suitable for the activities carried out. Toilet and washing facilities meet requirements, with separate toilets for boys and girls aged eight and above where needed. The medical room provides appropriate space for short-term care, including washing facilities near toilets. Drinking water is clearly labelled and available throughout, with the hot water temperature safely regulated.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  Leaders have planned appropriately to extend Blooming Tree Pre Prep School to accommodate up to 80 pupils, using the annex to provide four new suitable classroom spaces and a covered play area. They demonstrate a secure understanding of the independent school standards and are effective in their work to ensure that these are met. Leaders maintain a clear focus on pupils’ well-being and adapt provision responsively to meet pupils’ complex needs.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are 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) 38,000 to 63,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 17 to 19 January 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 3 to 11 No change No change

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll Up to 50 Up to 80 Up to 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed No change Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 47 Up to 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils None No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities All pupils No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan All pupils No change

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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 All pupils No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff None No change

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Information about this school

 Blooming Tree Pre Prep School is an independent special primary school catering for up to 50 pupils with education, health and care plans for their primary need related to autism spectrum disorder.  The school’s current pupils are aged between three and eight years.  The proprietor also ran Blooming Tree Primary School; this has now closed.  The school currently makes no use of alternative provision.  The school’s most recent standard inspection was in January 2023.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned this inspection to consider the school’s application to consider a material change to increase the school’s maximum capacity to up to 80 pupils.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The Department for Education requested that the inspector consider whether the independent school standards contained within Parts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.  The inspector visited the new premises, ‘the annex,’ and conducted a tour of the school with the headteacher. The inspector met with the proprietor and the designated safeguarding lead. He also met with some pupils and staff. The inspector also examined several documents and policies related to the material change request.

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Inspection team

Adam Vincent, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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