Ormston School

School material change inspection report

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Ormston School Alma Road, Headingley, Leeds LS6 2AH

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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)(c)  The school has enough designated safeguarding leads to accommodate the proposed increased number on roll.  The school ensures that training enables staff to understand and recognise if a pupil is at risk of harm.  The school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance.  The school recognises that its pupils are vulnerable to dangers online. It proactively recommends websites to families to support pupils to stay safe online.  The school works effectively with external agencies to ensure that pupils and families receive the right support.  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. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16 to 16(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The school has highly effective health and safety policies and procedures.  The checks related to health and safety are rigorous. There are systems in place to ensure that pupils are safe, for example regular fire safety checks, water temperature testing and timely maintenance and repairs. Leaders are vigilant in ensuring the school is safe.  The school has a plan to ensure that staff recruitment will maintain the current appropriate supervision ratios. The school has suitable plans to recruit teachers and support staff.  The school has a comprehensive risk assessment policy. It has considered the risks and put in place appropriate control measures to ensure that pupils, staff, visitors and contractors are safe.  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 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(6)  The school continues to maintain the single central record to ensure that all the suitable checks are made on staff and visitors.  The staff that update the single central record receive appropriate training.  There is regular oversight of the single central record from school leaders, governors and members of the Polaris quality assurance team.  The school does not 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 23(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2) to 29(1)(b)  The proprietor body has used a building in the original school grounds to create a secondary school provision. The primary provision will remain in the original school premises. The secondary site ensures that there is ample capacity for the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll. The school has renovated the building to a high standard.  The acoustics and internal and external lighting are suitable.  The school has created facilities in the secondary provision to support pupils’ academic achievement such as a science laboratory and an art room. Other spaces such as specialist sensory rooms support pupils to regulate their behaviour.  Handwashing, showering and toilet facilities are appropriate.  The school has a suitable first-aid room. It is well equipped and readily available.  The school has 3 outdoor spaces that enable pupils to socialise during breaktimes and

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Main inspection findings

lunchtimes. Pupils’ access to the football, sensory and outdoor learning spaces is well managed to ensure that the spaces are not congested.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.  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 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools  Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body, governors and school leaders have a clear rationale for making the material change.  The school works effectively with 3 neighbouring local authorities to place pupils with education, health and care (EHC) plans in this school. There is increasing demand for specialist places in West Yorkshire. Leaders currently have pupils waiting for places in the school.  Leaders have considered carefully how to gradually increase the numbers on roll. There is a strategic and systematic plan to increase pupil and staff numbers. Staff are onboarded before the pupils so that they have a clear understanding of the school’s policies and procedures. The school plans to enrol approximately 6 pupils each term over the next 2 years.  The school has appointed suitably qualified staff, including a new deputy headteacher

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Main inspection findings

and special educational needs and disabilities coordinator.  The school has appropriate policies and procedures in place to keep pupils safe.  The proprietor and governing body have a secure oversight of the school. They have quality assurance systems in place to hold leaders accountable.  The school leaders and the proprietor body demonstrate secure skills and knowledge to ensure that the standards are met consistently.  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

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school complies with 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 Polaris Children’s Services Limited

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School details

Email address schooloffice@ormstonschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 1 to 3 July 2025

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 18 5 to 18 5 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 40 100 100

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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 40 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 40 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 40 100

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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 40 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 20

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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

 The school operates from Alma Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 2AH  The school is part of Polaris Children’s Services Limited.  The school supports pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Most pupils have a diagnosis of autism. Some pupils have further SEND such as social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils who attend the school have an EHC plan.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in July 2025. The school met all the standards.  The school does not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This was a material change inspection carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to evaluate the school’s proposal to increase the number of pupils on roll from 40 to 100.  This is the first material change sought by the school.  Inspectors met with the headteacher and representatives of the proprietor and governing body.  An inspector met with the designated safeguarding lead and checked the single central record.  An inspector completed a premises check.  An inspector corresponded by email with a representative from Leeds local authority.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.

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Inspection team

Alison Stephenson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Dughall McCormick 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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