Chilton Bridge School

School material change inspection report

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Chilton Bridge School Chilton Bridge School, Chilton Cantelo, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8BE

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b), 32(1)(c)  The school has comprehensive safeguarding procedures in place. The safeguarding team and ‘relational leads’ know pupils and their families well.  Each pupil has a relational plan which is under constant review. As a result, the needs of each pupil are well understood.  The school has a policy that complies with current government guidance in relation to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education.’ It is published on the school’s website. The policy is implemented effectively. Staff receive regular training. This helps them to be knowledgeable and be vigilant for the risks pupils may face. Paragraph 11 and 12  The school has an appropriate health and safety policy. The health and safety lead ensures there are well considered procedures and checks routinely carried out across the premises.  The school has planned for the parts of the school being refurbished to be

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Main inspection findings

incorporated into the daily, weekly and monthly routine checks for health and safety. The systems and checks in place make sure that the site is safe, and the premises are well maintained.  The school has recently updated the fire risk action plan. The revised plan takes account of the anticipated increased capacity of pupils and staff and the repurposing of buildings.  The school fire alarm is connected across the school site and includes the areas currently being refurbished. At the time of the inspection, the school expected the new signage and fire safety equipment to be installed in the new areas prior to completion at the start of September. A day-by-day building schedule sets out when this work will be actioned. Paragraph 14  The school ensures that there are high levels of adult supervision in place. The school structures its staffing model to support each small group of six to eight pupils. This

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Main inspection findings

includes a classroom teacher and a learning mentor for each group of pupils. In addition, a curriculum leader and a team of relational leads provide pastoral care. The school maintains this model of staff growth as pupils join the school. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  The school has an appropriate and detailed risk assessment policy in place. Plans show risks are identified and planned for. These are implemented well alongside the relational plans for each pupil. As a result, staff are well prepared for managing and thinking about potential risk.  Risk assessments for off-site trips are based on a detailed local authority model and are worked through following best practise expectations.  The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards (the standards) checked in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  Leaders have experience and up to date knowledge and understanding of safer recruitment procedures. The school undertakes all the necessary pre-employment checks. The proprietor provides ‘group-level support’ to schools to ensure checks and actions are rigorous.  The proprietor has a strong and well-mapped induction programme for all staff when they join any of its schools. This is further supported with professional development, training and networking across the schools.  Staff are appointed ahead of pupils joining the school. This is to ensure that staff are trained and ready to work with pupils when they arrive.  The school does not use supply staff. The staffing model is designed so that curriculum leaders provide cover when a member of staff is absent.

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Main inspection findings

 The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The plans for the six classroom bases are designed and planned to replicate those pupil rooms that are already established. Each room is furnished to support the needs of the pupils, with seating and working spaces that are common across the rooms. Most classroom bases have a kitchen area with drinking water.  The accommodation for younger pupils is being designed so that the provision will flow across classrooms and incorporate the outside. There is an additional communal space and an outdoor space that has been fenced to provide a suitable and safe space for those pupils.  Additional space, such as a performance area, a science room and a communal space are also currently being developed. The plans for refurbishment provide ample accommodation to meet the needs of the pupils and staff.  The classrooms are currently at the earlier stages of refurbishment, with a tightly

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Main inspection findings

planned schedule of work. Flooring, lighting, furnishments, electrical points, and signage are due to be installed over the next seven weeks.  The school intends for the new classroom spaces to replicate the standards of furnishing, acoustics and lighting in the existing classroom bases.  The school has considered the impact on current resources with the request for the material change. For example, an additional six school cars are being purchased to ensure that pupils continue to access the wider community as part of their planned learning.  Most pupils commute to school by taxi or arrive by family car. The school grounds are secured with gating at two sides. Systems for driving in, through and out the grounds at the start and end of the day are very well managed with two drop-off points for pupils to exit and meet staff. A third drop-off point for younger pupils is planned next to their classrooms. The design of this means additional cars are unlikely to be

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Main inspection findings

detrimental to or put a strain on the current routines.  The school has two appropriately equipped medical rooms. Both are located near the planned additional classroom spaces. An appointed member of staff checks they are stocked, and the administration of first aid and medication follows the expectations of the medical policy.  The school site previously served as a boarding school. There are 24 toilets currently on site. In the area that is planned for younger pupils, an additional two pupil toilets and a staff toilet are being installed. Facilities meet the relevant requirements in the standards.  The school has extensive grounds that pupils use for play and sport. There is a forest school located within the grounds which facilitates part of the curriculum.  Based on the plans and the design of what is already in place, the school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34 to 34(1)(c)  The school is requesting a material change to increase pupil numbers. This is in response to demand from local authorities for places. The proprietor’s rationale and plans to accommodate the material change are well considered and thoroughly planned for.  The school has additional rooms and buildings located within its site that it has commenced refurbishment of. The new facilities are intended to be well-equipped to amply provide for the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  The school is registered to admit children from the age of six. Currently the youngest pupils attending the school are aged 10. The increased pupil capacity is intended to accommodate pupils from the age of eight. This is where there is an increase in demand for places. In anticipation of this, the proprietor and leaders have fully considered and planned the curriculum for younger pupils. There is appropriate

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Main inspection findings

staffing and expertise in place to ensure the planned curriculum is well implemented.  The proprietor has considered both accommodation and curriculum provision, if the proposed material change is agreed. For example, the school makes sure staff have the expertise to deliver phonic reading programmes, and early numeracy. The school has planned the curriculum to ensure standards continue to be met and maintained.  The school actively promotes and plans for the well-being of the pupils. Pupils joining the school are gradually and carefully integrated so that they are supported in their transition. Planned growth is expected to be gradual and well managed.  The proprietor has a multi-layered approach to ensuring that there are well embedded leadership structures and processes in place. This enables it to have clear oversight of the school. Each area of compliance is overseen by an external partner. Thes existing

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Main inspection findings

arrangements ensure that there are robust checks and evaluation of all aspects of work across the school.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is 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

Email address admin@chiltonbridgeschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 7 to 9 June 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 19 6 to 19 6 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 91 130 130

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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 86 130

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 91 130

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 91 130

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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 91 130

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 19 27

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 17 24

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Information about this school

 Chilton Bridge School is a specialist school for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, and pupils whose needs are associated with a diagnosis of autism.  Three local authorities currently commission and fund placements at the school. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The proprietor, Spaghetti Bridge Ltd group, runs eight other schools  Currently the school is registered to admit 97 pupils on roll. At the time of the inspection, the school had 91 pupils on roll.  The school’s most recent standard inspection was in June 2023.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provider.  The school site is located at Chilton Bridge School, Chilton Cantelo, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8BE

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to the proprietor’s request for a material change. The material change requested is to increase the number of pupils who can be admitted to the school from 97 to 130.  The school is in the process of refurbishing six classroom bases and additional spaces including a communal area, a performance area and a science room. At the time of the inspection, the rooms had been stripped in preparation for the work. The school is also installing additional toilet facilities and kitchenette areas with drinking water. This work is expected to be completed at the beginning of September.  This was the school’s first material change request and inspection.  The inspector held discussions with leaders, including the regional director, the headteacher and the designated safeguarding lead.  The inspector met with members of the proprietary body including the chief executive

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Information about this inspection

officer, the head of operations and the chair of the group.  The inspector carried out several activities to check compliance with the ISS. This included touring the site and viewing the rooms currently under refurbishment with the project manager and leaders. She reviewed the plans for the site changes and the development project timeline.  The inspector reviewed the website, considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, policy and information for parents and carers. She evaluated school documentation including the school development plan. Whilst onsite, she viewed a range of school policies, risk assessments and safety plans.

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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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