Westmorland School

School material change inspection report

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Westmorland School Weldbank Lane, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 3NQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is published on its website. The policy reflects the latest statutory guidance and is regularly reviewed. The policy is also available from the school office on request. Within the policy there is detailed information about the safeguarding systems and procedures in the school. The policy also provides contact information for the designated safeguarding lead as well as information about the whistleblowing procedures. Staff responsible for leading safeguarding have the additional training and expertise that they need to make sure that there is a strong culture of safeguarding across the school. Paragraphs 11, 12 and 16, to 16(b)  The health and safety policy is well-considered and reflects the school’s expectations for creating a safe environment for pupils. There are rigorous systems and processes

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Main inspection findings

in place for checking compliance, as well as for reporting any site issues that may arise. Regular maintenance checks throughout the sites are in place to make sure that the school is a safe place for pupils to learn.  The school uses external specialists to service and audit the fire-fighting equipment at the required intervals. Relevant staff on both sites have had additional training to act as fire marshals and support fire-safety checks. Regular fire drills take place with analysis of any points for action. The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The school identifies risks appropriately. The risk assessment policy clearly sets out leaders’ expectations for identifying and mitigating risks. Risk assessments show the relevant consideration for the needs of pupils who attend the school. The content of risk assessments is regularly discussed to ensure that they are fit for purpose.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 14  The school makes sure that staff have the background and expertise to support pupils well and understand their needs. Pupils are supervised appropriately by school staff at all points during the day. The proposed number of staff is suitable for ensuring that the increased number of pupils will be supervised appropriately.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17 to 18(2)(e), 18(3) to 19(2)(d)(ii) and 19(3) to 21(8)  The school makes the required safeguarding checks on new staff during the recruitment stage. The checks are recorded accurately on the single central record (SCR). The proprietor has systems in place to check the accuracy of the SCR at regular intervals. Records relating to the proprietor are also included on the SCR, as

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Main inspection findings

well as those relating to suitability for leadership and management.  Staff involved in recruitment have safer recruitment training. They are kept up to date with the most recent guidance. The school makes sure that recruitment checks are completed before staff commence employment.  The school makes sure that any agency staff are safe to work with children. There are well-considered systems in place regarding this process. The school make the relevant checks on any staff who have spent time overseas in line with the government guidance.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 23(1)(c), 28(1) to 28(1)(d) and 28(2) to 28(2)(b)  The premises are well-maintained. The new building has been refurbished to a high standard to accommodate for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The

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Main inspection findings

accommodation is on two floors and consists of classrooms, communal spaces, a dining room and teaching spaces with specific subject equipment, such as design technology work benches. There are extensive outdoor areas for social times and physical education (PE).  The number of toilets and washing facilities are suitable. Pupil toilets are for individual use and are all lockable from the inside. Water is set at a safe temperature and is available for hand washing. Drinking-water is available for pupils throughout the day and is clearly labelled.  There are appropriate facilities available for pupils to change for PE. Paragraph 24(1) to 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  There is a suitable medical room which includes a sink and is situated near a toilet. The medical room contains a bed and first-aid kit, as well as a fridge for the safe storage of medication. Administration of first aid and medication is recorded

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Main inspection findings

appropriately and stored securely. Paragraphs 25 to 27(b)  The accommodation is clean and well-organised. The proprietor has taken care to consider the layout of the building with pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in mind. Sound and lighting throughout the buildings allow for a suitable environment for pupils to learn. There is external lighting that covers all exits. Paragraph 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  There are suitable outdoor areas for recreation and PE. The secondary site has extensive space for land-based studies, including animal care, that is maintained to a high standard.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body has established systems and procedures that check compliance with the standards now and over time. It makes regular checks on all aspects of

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Main inspection findings

compliance. Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined at all levels. Leaders at each level have the relevant background and expertise to ensure that the standards are met.  The proprietor body and leaders within the school are clear about the requirements of the standards. They have thought carefully about how the increase in pupil numbers will be managed to maintain the existing high standards.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan reflects the school’s statutory responsibilities.

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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

Website www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/our- locations/our-schools/westmorland-school/ Email address westmorland@witherslackgroup.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 11 to 13 February 2025

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 16 5 to 16 Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 80 96 96

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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 80 96

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 80 96

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 80 96

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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 80 96

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 15 16

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was on 11 to 13 February 2025.  The school caters for pupils with a range of SEND including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education health and care plan.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  The school operates from two premises. Pupils aged five to 11 years attend the school’s site at Weldbank Lane, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 3NQ. Pupils aged 11 to 16 attend Wood Campus, Midge Hall Lane, Leyland, PR26 6TN.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned this material change inspection to evaluate the school’s likely compliance with the relevant standards if the DfE approves the proprietor’s request to increase its pupil capacity from 80 to 96.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of an increase of the school’s capacity since the school’s standard inspection in February 2025.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body. She also met with senior leaders.  The inspector made a tour of the site to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant standards.  The inspector met with staff and pupils to gather their views.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation and policies relevant to the material change request. These included health and safety, fire-safety and risk assessment

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Information about this inspection

documentation. The inspector also checked documentation relating to safeguarding

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Inspection team

Jane Dennis, 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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