Bridge House School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Bridge House School 1 Stuart Road, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2SR

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b) and 2(1)(b)(i)  At the school’s standard inspection in March 2025, these independent school standards (the standards) were found to be unmet. Inspectors found that there were some subjects where the school had not been clear about what it wanted pupils to learn. Schemes of work were not in place to support the delivery of these subjects and staff did not have sufficient guidance to help them deliver the curriculum effectively. Importantly, all pupils at the school have education, health and care (EHC) plans, but the school had not thought carefully enough about how the planned curriculum would take account of pupils’ needs.  When the school’s action plan was evaluated in June 2025, it was judged that leaders’ plans to improve the quality of education for pupils regarding the curriculum were not sufficient to meet these standards.

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Main inspection findings

 At this progress monitoring inspection, the school has taken rapid action to revise all subject schemes of work. All subjects now have schemes of work which are comprehensive and detailed. These set out what pupils should learn and in what order for each subject. The skills and knowledge to be developed are clearly identified and the needs of pupils are carefully mapped across, so that EHC plan targets are an integral part of learning for all pupils. Paragraph 3, 3(c), to (3)(e)  The previous standard inspection found that there were weaknesses in teaching. Staff’s subject knowledge was variable. Some teachers did not adapt the delivery of the curriculum, including learning activities, to effectively meet pupils’ needs.  The school’s programme to support pupils with their reading was at the early stages. This meant that some pupils remained at the early stages of learning to read for longer than they should.

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Main inspection findings

 At this progress monitoring inspection, the school has put in place a programme of regular training for staff to help them understand its expectations for how the curriculum should be delivered. This includes an ongoing programme of support in place for staff to deepen their understanding of how to design learning activities that help pupils learn the intended curriculum. Learning activities now more closely support pupils to know and remember more over time.  There is a clear focus on the key knowledge and skills pupils need to acquire over time. Staff in all subjects are clear about what to teach and when. Subject content is broken down and well sequenced to ensure pupils’ engagement and help them to make progress.  Pupils at the early stages of reading are well supported. For example, all staff have had phonics training. Pupils entering the school are checked to ascertain their level of reading. Staff put interventions in place to help anyone who needs to catch up.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have ensured that staff know about the needs of pupils, so that they can support them effectively. Baseline assessments provide a clear starting point and leaders have arranged training to strengthen staff expertise. Staff are confident to use a range of strategies to meet those needs and help pupils to learn well. Teachers make effective adaptations, such as using mind maps to explain learning, pre-teaching key vocabulary, and providing individual support and targeted intervention. Pupils also benefit from the use of supportive apparatus, including wobble cushions and writing slopes, helping them to engage more successfully in learning.  These standards are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  At the standard inspection in March 2025, inspectors found that the school did not have robust oversight of the curriculum and the way in which it is implemented. This meant that weaknesses in the curriculum had not been addressed, resulting in some of the standards not being met.  The proprietor took immediate action to rectify the shortfalls identified during the previous inspection. The proprietor has harnessed support from external partners in relation to strengthening leaders’ oversight of the curriculum.  At the time of this progress monitoring inspection, the school has implemented effective monitoring and quality assurance arrangements. Through regular meetings between the proprietor and school leaders, there is continuous and consistent review of progress made against the actions as set out in a revised action plan. This has enabled the school

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Main inspection findings

to gain an accurate picture of its work, particularly in relation to previously unmet standards.  There has been a focus on developing staff’s curriculum and pedagogical expertise. Staff are now clear how pupils’ individual EHC plan targets are integrated into the taught curriculum. There is clarity in what pupils have understood and staff are able to devise next steps with confidence.  The school now meets all of the previously unmet standards in this part.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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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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; – 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(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 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.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Email address danielle.hulme@bridgehouseschool.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4 to 6 March 2025

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Information about this school

 The previous standard inspection took place on 4 to 6 March 2025.  The school is located at 1 Stuart Road, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2SR.  Since the previous standard inspection, a new headteacher has been appointed. She took up post in September 2025.  The school is registered to admit up to 36 pupils. Some pupils choose to remain in the post-16 provision to continue their studies, particularly those who have previously missed significant periods of schooling. The semi-formal post-16 curriculum enables students to work towards qualifications while developing the skills needed for adulthood and employment.  The school caters for pupils with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. Some of these pupils have been out of education for extended periods. All pupils at this school have an EHC plan.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provider for a small number of pupils.

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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.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first progress monitoring inspection since the standard inspection in March 2025. It was conducted without notice.  The Department for Education (DfE) required the school to prepare a statutory action plan. Ofsted evaluated this plan on 4 June 2025. The DfE rejected the action plan on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education on 19 June 2025.  The inspectors met with the chair of the proprietor body, the headteacher, other senior leaders and some members of staff.  Inspectors reviewed a range of documentation, including that relating to the standards and the curriculum. They also visited some lessons.  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 independent school standards are met.  Inspectors spoke with a group of pupils about their learning and wider experiences in

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The school’s proposed change to the maximum number of pupils

The school has applied to the Department for Education (DfE) to make a ‘material change’ to its registration. At the DfE’s request, we checked whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the DfE decides to approve the change. This part of the inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002.

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The school’s proposed change to the maximum number of pupils

 The outcome of this part of the inspection is: the school is likely to meet the

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relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school has in place the necessary arrangements to safeguard pupils and to promote their welfare. There is a suitable and up-to-date safeguarding policy in place. This gives consideration to current statutory guidance. The school provides a copy of the policy to parents and carers on request. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16 to 16(b)  The school’s management of health and safety is robust. The school has a suitable health and safety policy that is implemented effectively.  The school routinely commissions fire risk assessments from an external company and addresses any risks that are identified. The school has ensured that the building has been fitted with appropriate fire-fighting equipment and signage. The school has considered evacuation routes and installed fire evacuation units to raise the alarm in the event of a fire.

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relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the

 The school deploys staff effectively in order to ensure that pupils are appropriately supervised. The school operates a high adult-to-child staffing ratio model. The school has already recruited and trained staff in advance of the proposed increase in pupil numbers to ensure that pupils continue to be properly supervised should the number of pupils increase.  The school has a suitable risk assessment policy. The school’s risk assessments demonstrate that staff identify risks to pupils and others and take appropriate action to reduce the likelihood of an accident or incident occurring.  The proprietor has ensured that all relevant standards in part 3 are met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17 to 19(3), 20(6) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii) and 21(5)(c) to 21(6)  All appropriate checks are made on staff and members of the proprietor body.  Leaders are appropriately trained in the recruitment of new members of staff.  The standards in this part are met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 29(1)(b)  The school premises are safe, secure and appropriate for pupils’ needs. Classrooms are spacious, well equipped and suitably maintained. Outdoor and garden areas include well- designed spaces for recreation, physical education and outdoor learning. The school building and outdoor spaces are appropriate for the requested increase in number of pupils.  The standards in this part are met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the

Part 8. Quality of leadership and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  Leaders are vigilant in promoting the welfare, health and safety of pupils.  The school has carefully planned for the proposed material change. Staffing, space, timetabling and risk assessments have been reviewed and adjusted in readiness.  Leaders and those responsible for governance demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed to meet the standards consistently.  All of the standards in this part are met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Inspection team

Kate Bowker, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector

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Inspection team

Sue Dymond 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

achieve 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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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