First Bridge School

School material change inspection report

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First Bridge School Unit 17, Block J1 Station Court, Imperial Wharf, 1 Townmead Road, London SW6 2PY

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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)  The school’s culture of safeguarding continues to be strong. The safeguarding policy, published on the school’s website, is up to date with the latest statutory guidance, including ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2025). Arrangements for managing allegations and concerns, recruiting and training staff are suitable.  The school’s arrangements for health and safety, fire safety, and risk assessment, pay close attention to detail. The health and safety and risk assessment policies are implemented well. The premises are clean and well maintained. All the required checks on the building, electrics and fire safety infrastructure are completed in a timely way and suitably logged. Risk assessments of the premises are thorough and effective in minimising risks to pupils. Leaders carry out regularly health and safety

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Main inspection findings

checks and evacuation drills.  Throughout the day, all pupils are under adult supervision. Almost all pupils receive one-to-one adult support. A small group of pupils receive one-to-two adult support.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved and implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6) to 21(3)(b) and 21(6)  The school’s single central register of pre-employment checks is compliant and reflects the strong safer recruitment process. All the required checks for adults responsible for and working at the school are dated in line with the latest requirements.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved and implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(b), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2) to 29(1)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The school site is very well resourced and maintained. Lighting, acoustics, and medical room facilities are all suitable. Toilet and washing facilities are suitable. Labelled drinking water supplies are available and the hot water supply is safely regulated. There is a suitable outdoor space for teaching physical education and for recreation.  The organisation’s four classrooms are currently shared between the separately registered early years provision and the school. On approval of this material change, leaders intend to close the early years provision and use all the classrooms for the school only. With the available space across the site, this plan is suitable in accommodating up to 55 pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved and implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body and leaders have carefully considered how they can extend the

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Main inspection findings

school’s capacity by merging their early years centre and school.  Leaders have very well-established routines to monitor the school’s compliance with the independent school standards and associated requirements thoroughly.  The standard in this part is likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved and 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) £85,000 to £95,000

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School details

Email address admissions@firstbridgecentre.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16 to 18 April 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 2 to 9 No change Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 31 60 55

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recommendation

The school’s available space, especially when considering the significant numbers of adults deployed to support pupils, is likely to accommodate a maximum number of 55 pupils comfortably, rather than 60.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 25 Up to 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 31 Up to 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 29 Up to 60

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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 29 Up to 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 52 66

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Information about this school

 First Bridge School is an independent special day school in Hammersmith and Fulham for pupils with autism. Almost all pupils have education, health and care plans.  The Department for Education (DfE) approved the school’s application to extend its age range from four to nine to two to nine in August 2025. If the DfE approves the school’s application to increase its maximum capacity, the wider organisation’s applied behaviour analysis clinic, First Bridge Centre, which is inspected separately by Ofsted as an early years provider, will close. Children attending, and staff working at, First Bridge Centre, will then transfer to First Bridge School.  The school’s most recent standard inspection was in April 2024. Since then, the school’s latest inspection was to consider a material change application in September 2024.  The school makes no use of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE commissioned this inspection to consider the school’s application to increase the number of pupils it admits from 35 to 60.  This was the first inspection to consider the school’s material change application.  The inspection was announced with two days of notice.  The inspector considered whether the relevant requirements in parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 of the independent school standards are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.  The inspector met with a range of senior leaders, including the chair of the proprietor body. The inspector had a tour of the premises, observed pupils learning, and considered a range of evidence, including documents related to health and safety, risk assessment and fire safety.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including pre- employment checks recorded on the school’s single central record.

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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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