Prestwich Preparatory School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Prestwich Preparatory School 400 Bury Old Road, Prestwich, Manchester, Lancashire M25 1PZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(i)  At the time of the standard inspection in January 2025, inspectors found that staff did not have sufficient guidance to implement the school’s newly introduced curriculums well. Pupils did not learn all the knowledge they should have. In addition, the school’s systems for checking pupils’ understanding were underdeveloped. This hindered how well staff were identifying and addressing misconceptions in pupils’ learning. As a result, some of the independent school standards (the standards) relating to the quality of education were not met.  At this progress monitoring inspection, the inspector found that the school has developed some of its systems to check pupils’ understanding. For example, it has created knowledge organisers which identify the key knowledge pupils should learn in each subject. The school’s aim is these will provide clarity for staff about the important

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Main inspection findings

knowledge to teach pupils. Furthermore, the school plans staff will regularly assess against these criteria to help them identify and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge. However, at the time of this inspection, these plans and intentions had not been put into practice. At present, staff are not using these newly developed tools to help them deliver the curriculum more effectively. Gaps in pupils’ knowledge persist in a number of subjects. Paragraph 3(e)  At the time of the standard inspection in January 2025, inspectors found that staff lacked the subject knowledge needed to design appropriate activities that would deliver the curriculum well. The school did not provide support for staff to meet the needs of some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  This inspection confirmed that the school’s intended actions, as set out in the action plan submitted to the Department for Education (DfE), are not being implemented effectively

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Main inspection findings

to ensure that the standards are being met. During this inspection, the inspector found the school has started to take action to address weaknesses in staff’s subject knowledge and curriculum delivery. For example, staff have undertaken some online training sessions related to teaching approaches. However, this provision is not coherent enough to ensure all staff receive the support they need to adapt the delivery of the curriculum well enough for all pupils, including those with SEND. Some staff have not yet received subject-specific support and training. This negatively impacts how well pupils access the curriculum and build their subject knowledge.  All the previously unmet standards checked in this part remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1)(c)  At the time of the last inspection, the school had put into place the necessary arrangements to safeguard pupils. These paid regard to the relevant statutory guidance. The school provided a copy of its safeguarding policy to parents and carers on their website.  During this inspection, the inspector found that the school has maintained these suitable safeguarding arrangements over time. Staff have the appropriate training they need to identify pupils who may be at risk of harm. Staff know to report any concerns they may have to the designated safeguarding lead. The school keeps appropriate records and responds to concerns in an appropriate and timely way. The school seeks advice and guidance from social care professionals when it is appropriate to do so. The school’s safeguarding policy is compliant with statutory guidance and remains available for

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Main inspection findings

parents on the school’s website.  These standards remain met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34 to 34(1)(b)  At the standard inspection in January 2025, these standards were not met. The proprietor had not ensured that all of the standards relating to the quality of education were met consistently and securely. Weaknesses in the curriculum were limiting the achievement of some pupils, including those with SEND.  This inspection found that the school is facing barriers to the development of its leadership and management. For example, the school has struggled to secure suitable external support. The school has not modified its action plan effectively to ensure that the actions set out are having the intended impact. The school’s work to address the weaknesses identified at the previous inspection is not happening swiftly enough. Its actions lack coherence and impact. This continues to impact negatively on the quality of education that pupils receive.

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Main inspection findings

 The previously unmet standards in this part remain unmet.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Email address friesner@prestwichprepschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28 to 30 January 2025

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Information about this school

 The school is located at 400 Bury Old Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1PZ.  Friesner Education is the proprietor body. The chair of the proprietor body is the headteacher of the school.  The school provides education for two-year-old children.  The school is a preparatory school and is registered to admit up to 113 pupils.  The school operates a breakfast club and after-school provision for its pupils.  The school does not make use of alternative provision.  The previous standard inspection of this school took place on 28 to 30 January 2025. At this inspection, the school was judged to not comply with the standards.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The previous standard inspection of this school took place on 28 to 30 January 2025.  This was the first progress monitoring inspection since the previous standard inspection.  This inspection was conducted without notice.  Following the previous standard inspection, the DfE required the school to prepare a statutory action plan. Ofsted evaluated this action plan on 14 July 2025. The DfE rejected the school’s action plan.  During the inspection, the inspector met with the headteacher, who is also the proprietor, senior leaders and staff.  The inspector reviewed schemes of work and pupils’ work and also visited some lessons.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector spoke with some pupils about their learning and wider experiences in school.  The inspector examined documents, including the safeguarding policy, curriculum documents and documents relating to leadership and management.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the standards are met.

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Inspection team

Amanda Downing, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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