Holton Sleaford Independent School

School material change inspection report

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Holton Sleaford Independent School Westgate House, Westgate, Sleaford NG34 7RJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s website has an up ‑ to ‑ date safeguarding policy. The proprietor has ensured that the school has effective arrangements to keep pupils safe and promote their welfare. Staff receive regular training and support so that they can identify pupils who may be at risk of harm. This includes training focused on the specific vulnerabilities of pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.  Checks on pupils’ safety and welfare are embedded in the school’s daily routines. Leaders routinely share necessary safeguarding updates through daily staff briefings. This communication at the start and end of the day ensures that any changes in pupils’ behaviour and conduct are spotted and the necessary support is put in place. School leaders, the proprietor and central team leaders meet often to review and

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Main inspection findings

quality assure safeguarding systems and procedures.  The school takes timely and appropriate action to respond to any safeguarding concerns. It maintains detailed safeguarding records. Where necessary, the school collaborates with external agencies, such as social workers and the local authority, to ensure the right support is provided for pupils. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16 to 16(b)  Staff work together diligently to ensure that the school is a safe place to be. The school maintains clear health and safety procedures and records all checks to provide assurance. These include testing the lighting, fire systems and water temperature, alongside other routine measures that demonstrate the school’s commitment to safety.  The school has an internal fire risk assessment for the new accommodation, which identifies fire marshals and evacuation routes. The proprietor has ensured that external fire specialists have also carried out the necessary checks to confirm that the

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Main inspection findings

site complies with fire safety legislation. The site has clear escape routes, suitable emergency lighting and fire safety equipment, all of which are routinely checked to ensure they remain in working order.  The school’s risk assessment policy clearly sets out how to manage risks. Staff take appropriate steps to manage these risks, considering the premises, off ‑ site activities and the needs of individual pupils.  The school maintains a high staff ‑ to ‑ pupil ratio. Staff provide close supervision to meet pupils’ emerging needs and deliver the planned curriculum.  The independent school standards (the standards) checked in part 3 are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved and implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), and 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  The single central record contains all the necessary information. The proprietor completes all the required checks on the suitability of staff before they take up their appointments.  Records relating to members of the proprietor body are included on the single central record. Suitability checks, including those relating to the leadership and management of the school, have also been carried out. This includes those checks required under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.  The school is unlikely to use supply staff to cover teacher absence. However, should the need arise, the proprietor recognises the necessary checks the school will need to make.  The proprietor, alongside other leaders, has undertaken safer recruitment training to

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Main inspection findings

support the appointment of suitable staff to work in the school. The induction programme for new staff includes a wide range of training in relation to safeguarding. Staff complete this programme upon appointment to ensure that they are fully prepared for their roles.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The school has acquired an additional site to accommodate 20 more students. The ground floor of the building will become the sixth-form site. It has been recently renovated. It includes appropriate classroom spaces, break out spaces for students and an enclosed outdoor courtyard at the rear.  The first floor of the building houses the head offices for the company. It also accommodates a medical room, which includes an eye wash station. Further toilet facilities are located nearby.  There are enough toilets to facilitate an increase in numbers. Toilets can be locked from the inside as necessary to meet the related requirements. Showering facilities are available. The water temperature does not pose a scalding risk.  Drinking water is clearly demarcated and accessible to students.  Students will use the other school sites as well as local recreational facilities to

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Main inspection findings

support their physical education.  The building has suitable internal and external lighting.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has identified a need in the local area and works with several local authorities who place pupils in the school. The proprietor wishes to increase capacity to meet this need. The proposed pupil growth model is sustainable and appropriate.  The proprietor intends to recruit additional staff as needed.  The proprietor, school leadership team, governors and staff bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their roles. The needs and welfare of pupils are at the heart of all their decisions. Leaders have demonstrated that they can cater for the increase in pupil numbers.  The proprietor and governors monitor the quality of provision by analysing trends in pupils’ outcomes, behaviour, attendance, and personal development. They meet regularly with the school’s leadership team, which keeps the proprietor well informed

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Main inspection findings

about how well the school is consistently meeting the standards.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Proprietor Holton Sleaford Independent School

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10 to 12 June 2025

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 9 to 20 9 to 20 9 to 20

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 79 102 102

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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 82 102

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 82 102

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 82 102

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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 82 102

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 44 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this school

 Horton Sleaford Independent School is a special school. Typically, pupils that attend this school have a primary special educational need of SEMH. All pupils have education, health and care plans.  The school currently operates from two sites. These are: Westgate House, Westgate, Sleaford NG34 7RJ and Ensign House, High Street, Osbournby NG34 0DG.  The head of school with oversight of the school’s sixth form was appointed in September 2025.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in June 2025.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education. Its purpose was to consider the school’s proposal to increase the number of pupils the school intends to admit. The inspector considered the additional premises at The Old Mart, Church Lane, Sleaford NG34 7DF. The school intends to use this site to educate post-16 pupils.  The inspector toured the additional school site to consider the suitability of the premises for the number of pupils the school intends to admit.  The inspector met with the headteacher, other senior leaders, the proprietor and the chair of governors to discuss the material change.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documents relating to safeguarding, health and safety, the school premises and leadership and management.

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Inspection team

Shaheen Hussain, lead inspector 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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