Willow Park School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Willow Park School Newbold-on-Avon RFC, Parkfield Road, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1EZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2)(b)  After its previous standard inspection in December 2024, the school had rightly identified the need to make significant changes to its curriculum. The aim was to better support those pupils at the early stages of learning and lay appropriate foundations for future learning. These changes included moving to a new synthetic phonics programme and a new mathematics curriculum, as well as developing pupils’ independent communication skills. Much of this work was yet to be implemented at the progress monitoring inspection as leaders were keen to ensure that staff had the appropriate training and professional development to deliver the curriculum from the start of the new academic year.  There has been a commendable level of progress made with the school’s curriculum, thanks to the determined focus of school leaders. There is now a new curriculum in

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Main inspection findings

place that is well matched to the needs of pupils at the school. There are clear ‘pathways’ that enable all pupils to make appropriate progress from their starting points. The learning environment has been reorganised so that there are ‘learning zones’ with specific resources to support learning, for example in phonics and communication. Pupils are finding it easier to engage with their learning using the dedicated workstations in each zone. The school has provided staff with ‘crib sheets’ that provide a user-friendly reminder of the individual targets for each pupil when working in that learning zone. The proprietor has ensured that there are resources to support the implementation of the curriculum changes made.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are now met. Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a) and 3, 3(c) and 3(d)  At the previous standard inspection, the school was not ensuring that all lessons were as

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Main inspection findings

effectively planned and delivered as they could be. Sometimes the specific needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) were not informing decisions about the curriculum. Sometimes, learning activities were not adapted well enough to meet the needs of pupils. At the previous monitoring inspection in May 2025, it was noted that staff had received useful training. However, some actions taken by leaders were recently implemented, although early progress was being made.  Staff are now more knowledgeable about the curriculum and how it should be adapted for each pupil. The school has provided useful resources, including the ‘teaching and learning handbook’, to help staff know what to teach and when. Most staff are confident in delivering the curriculum. However, there are occasions, especially in the less structured learning times, when staff are not yet making the most of opportunities to

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Main inspection findings

develop pupils’ language and communication. Sometimes this includes not making the specific adaptation that has been identified for each pupil. Leaders know there is more to do before the curriculum is implemented effectively to a sufficiently high standard.  These standards remain unmet. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b)  Safeguarding arrangements continue to be effective. The school’s safeguarding policy aligns with statutory guidelines, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Staff are skilled and vigilant when pupils require additional support. They know what to do when they are concerned about a pupil. There is regular dialogue around safeguarding and what issues they need to be mindful of for each child. This means there is a consistent and conscientious approach to promoting safeguarding across the school. The well- established system for reporting and monitoring concerns remains consistently

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Main inspection findings

implemented. Leaders of safeguarding ensure that all concerns, however minor they may appear, are acted upon swiftly. They remain actively engaged with external agencies to ensure that pupils receive the support they need.  These standards continue to be met. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  At the previous monitoring inspection, it was noted that there were no written risk assessments for specific health needs that current pupils may have, such as pica and dysphagia. This meant that this standard was not met.  Since then, leaders have taken robust action to address this gap. The updated risk assessment policy places greater priority on managing health needs. This is also reflected in the new ‘pupil passports’, which contain a specific section for any health and/or non-behavioural risks a pupil may face. Staff have received appropriate training and more is planned. There is a genuine sense that leaders have made the issue ‘real’

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Main inspection findings

rather than viewing risk assessment as a paper exercise.  These standards are now met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school continues to publish its arrangements for safeguarding pupils on its website. This document is in line with the most recent statutory guidance from the Secretary of State.  This requirement continues to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  In the school’s first standard inspection in December 2024 and the progress monitoring inspection in May 2025, it was noted that leaders, including the proprietors, demonstrated the skills and knowledge required to fulfil their roles. However, the school did not consistently meet all of the independent school standards. Changes to the leadership structure had only just taken effect at the time of the previous monitoring inspection. There was an enthusiasm and drive to leaders’ work, but much was still at

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Main inspection findings

the review and planning stages.  Leaders have made significant progress in improving the quality of education since May 2025. The new leadership structure is well on its way to being embedded. School leaders share a clear and coherent approach to what education at Willow Park should look like. They identified what needed to be done after the previous monitoring inspection and have been highly focused on ensuring that the new curriculum is in place, along with structures and strategies to ensure that learning better meets the needs of all pupils. The progress made across all areas of the school’s action plan means some previously unmet standards are now being met. However, leaders’ vision is not yet fully realised. The curriculum, particularly with regard to pupils’ language and communication development, is not implemented consistently well. Some standards remain unmet.  These standards are still 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, as set out in the annex of this report. 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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Website www.willowparkschool.warwickshire.sch.uk

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School details

Email address office@willowparkschool.warwickshire.sch.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 3 to 5 December 2024

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Information about this school

 Willow Park School is an independent day school. It offers up to 20 places for pupils with SEND. This includes pupils with autism and pupils with speech, language and communication needs. All pupils who attend the school have an education, health and care plan. Currently, pupils are referred to the school from six local authorities.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school’s first standard inspection was from 3 to 5 December 2024. A progress monitoring inspection took place on 7 May 2025.

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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.  At the school’s standard inspection, which was carried out in December 2024, the school did not comply with all the standards.  This was the second progress monitoring inspection since the school was found not to comply with the standards at its last standard inspection. At the school’s progress monitoring inspection in May 2025, the school did not comply with all the standards.  The Department for Education (DfE) required the school to prepare an action plan after the progress monitoring inspection. Ofsted evaluated this action plan on 15 August 2025. The DfE accepted the action plan on 5 September 2025.

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Information about this inspection

 Leaders were not given any prior notice of this progress monitoring inspection. The inspector arrived at the start of the school day.  The inspector met with the principal, headteacher and both joint proprietors.  The inspector examined a range of school improvement and curriculum documents. They also visited lessons and spoke with staff.  The inspector 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.  The inspector examined the school’s most recent action plan and considered evidence of progress against planned actions. The inspector discussed the progress against the previously unmet standards with the principal, headteacher and the proprietors.

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Inspection team

Nicola Beech, 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  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;

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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; and

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standards

 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; and  2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills;

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standards

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified. 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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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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