Orchard Manor School

School material change inspection report

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Orchard Manor School The Old Rectory, Stow Bardolph, Nr King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE34 3HT

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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), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s child protection and safeguarding policy aligns with statutory guidance. It is accessible on the school’s website. Staff receive regular and comprehensive safeguarding training. This includes information about specific risks, such as county lines and radicalisation. The school’s personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum teaches pupils about these and other risks. Staff know how to identify, respond effectively to, and log concerns. The school works closely with relevant local authorities and other services to ensure pupils are safe and well cared for. Paragraph 11  The proprietor has ensured that all health and safety policies are in place and are fully complied with, in line with statutory expectations. Staff regularly and thoroughly check on health and safety across the site. This ensures the site is maintained to a

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Main inspection findings

high standard and is safe. Any areas requiring action are risk assessed and swiftly acted upon. Paragraph 12  The proprietor has ensured that a detailed and appropriate fire risk assessment is in place. Regular checks ensure risks are identified and swiftly addressed. Effective fire safety training is provided for all staff when they begin work. This training is regularly revisited and updated. Appropriate fire safety equipment is provided. There are clear escape routes with ample signage. Paragraph 14  The average class size is a maximum of six pupils. The proprietor has recruited and trained staff, including specialist therapists and a qualified special educational needs coordinator (SENCo). Further staff have been and are being recruited. Therefore, there will be sufficient staff to supervise all pupils properly as the school grows to its current capacity of 42 and to additional pupils if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

 There is a comprehensive induction package in place for all new staff to help them carry out their roles effectively. The school, and other schools within the same proprietary body, provide a range of training programmes for staff. Paragraph 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  A thorough risk assessment policy, systems and processes are in place and are followed. Risk assessments are clear. They reflect the specific needs of pupils and their activities, such as horse riding. These risk assessments are kept under review and updated, to ensure the health and safety of pupils and adults.  The proprietor has ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) are likely to be met by the school if the department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(b)(iii), 21(1) to (21)(6)

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor ensures that thorough and effective procedures are in place for the safe recruitment and induction of new staff and governors.  The school maintains the single central record accurately and in line with statutory requirements. It is regularly checked by the proprietor and school leaders.  The school does not currently use, or intend to use, supply staff.  The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, to 24(1)(b), (24)(2 to 29(1)(b)  The school has the scope to increase the number of pupils on roll if the material change is approved. The school currently uses one building. These have plentiful well- sized, bright and well-ventilated classrooms in addition to central and accessible offices, showers and first-aid rooms. There are individual, lockable toilets, as well as clean and well-maintained showering facilities. No hot water poses a scalding risk. Drinking water facilities are clearly labelled. The recently renovated second building provides ample space for additional pupils. It contains multiple bright and airy classrooms with sufficient space for pupils and staff. A range of facilities, including offices, a medical room, toilets and showers, have been provided in this new building. There are plans for an additional library space and science room. This means there is

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Main inspection findings

much space to accommodate pupils and offer them a broad curriculum in a safe, well- equipped and suitable environment.

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Main inspection findings

 There is plentiful outdoor space for pupils to play and participate in a range of sports and games in physical education lessons. There is a well-maintained area for woodland activities and much play equipment. There is adequate external lighting on site. The school has clear processes to ensure that pupils can be dropped off and picked up safely and efficiently at the start and end of the school day. A wheelchair ramp provides disabled access.  There is a separate medical room, with a second facility ready for use if the material change is approved. These facilities provide a suitable space to care for pupils who are unwell. Pupils have space to lie down. A sink and washing facilities are provided in each medical room, with toilets adjacent. The school stores medicines securely. All medical treatments or injuries are recorded. The school does not currently have any pupils with complex needs.  The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE

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Main inspection findings

decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  School leaders and the proprietor understand the independent school standards. They ensure that the school’s work is rigorously scrutinised and checked so the standards are met. The school has managed its start effectively. Staff receive a comprehensive professional development programme so they can build their expertise and carry out their roles effectively. Pupils, many of whom have gaps in their education due to prolonged absences from school, appear to have made a positive transition to this setting. They enjoy attending here.  The school has clear and realistic plans to safely recruit, induct, train and support further staff as they are appointed. This provides a secure basis for the proposed increase to the number of pupils on roll.  The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE

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Main inspection findings

decides to approve implementation of the material change. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  There is a suitable accessibility plan to ensure that the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £67890 to £98000

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School details

Email address paul.sanderson1@orchardmanorschool.co.u k Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils five to 16 five to 16 five to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 42 72 72

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 42 72

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 42 72

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 42 72

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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 42 72

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 22 60

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Information about this school

 The proprietor of the school is P Bloom Ltd. This is part of Outcomes First Group. Outcomes First Group runs 36 other independent special schools across the country currently. The chair of the proprietor body is Richard Power. He is also the UK chief executive officer of Outcomes First Group.  The school caters for a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities. Pupils’ primary need is related to autism. Pupils often have some other associated needs. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school opened in September 2025.  The school operates from one address. This is The Old Rectory, Stow Bardolph, Nr King’s Lynn PE34 3HT. This was previously the site for an independent primary school and nursery, the Downham Preparatory School and Montessori Nursery. That provision closed in August 2024. There is no link between the nursery and Orchard Manor School.  The school currently has a capacity of 42 pupils. It is gradually increasing its pupil

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Information about this school

numbers towards that number. Pupils currently on roll are in key stages 1, 2 and 3.  The site has two buildings. The proprietor currently only uses one of these buildings. If the material change is approved, the second building will be used for key stage 3 and 4 pupils.  The school does not have a religious denomination.  The school does not currently use alternative provision.  The school does not currently use supply staff.  The school has not yet undergone a standard inspection. At its pre-registration inspection in June 2025, all standards were likely to be met once the school opened.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to a request from the proprietor for a material change to be considered.  The school is currently registered for up to 42 pupils from age 5 to 16. The proprietor has requested that the DfE increase the school’s capacity to 72 pupils. This is the first time that the proprietor has requested this change.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other senior leaders. He spoke to a representative of the proprietor body. He also spoke to a representative from a local authority who commissions pupils to attend this school. The inspector toured the site with leaders. He checked the school’s single central record of background checks on adults working at the school. He scrutinised a range of documents relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety, staffing and school development. He also spoke to members of staff and pupils.

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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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