Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Inspectors verified
Gareth Morgan
- Postcode verified
EN6 1BB
- Name on report verified
Darwin School
- URN verified
131171
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
Join free to get a short, plain-English summary of any report.
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
Reads more warmly than most reports of this type.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No strong criticism found.
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No next steps set out.
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 4
- Words of findings
- 416
- shorter than usual (typical 1049)
- Reading level
- Fairly hard
- Flesch 52, typical 45
- Average sentence
- 18 words
- Next steps
- 0
- typical 5
- Hedged sentences
- 4%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Darwin School C/O Cambian Education, 33–37 Darkes Lane, Leighton House, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1BB
p.1
inspection report:
Overall outcome The school meets all of the independent school standards that were checked during this inspection
p.1
inspection report:
At its most recent inspection, the school was judged to not meet all of the independent school standards and associated requirements.
p.1
inspection report:
The purpose of this 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.
p.1
Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools
When we carry out progress monitoring inspections of independent schools, we report on the school’s likely compliance with part 8 of the independent school standards (the standards) first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the standards consistently. The standard in part 8 is intended to ensure that the quality of leadership and management at the school is sufficient for that purpose.
p.1
Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools
At the last inspection the proprietor had not ensured that all standards were met consistently. Those responsible for governance of the school had not made sure the quality of leadership and management at the school was sufficient for all standards to be met consistently.
p.1
Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools
Governance procedures and oversight have been developed and strengthened. More regular checks have been made, along with considerable support and training for school leaders. The proprietor has written and rapidly implemented an effective action plan. Leaders have a clear understanding of their role in ensuring all standards are met consistently. The standard in this part is now met.
p.1
Admissions and attendance
At the last inspection, the school had not maintained an up-to-date admissions register which complied with relevant regulations.
p.2
Admissions and attendance
The proprietor has ensured that an accurate admissions register is now in place in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. Improved oversight processes by leaders are in place to make sure that the school undertakes regular checks so that this standard is met consistently.
p.2
Admissions and attendance
The previously unmet standard in this part is now met.
p.2
showers
At the last inspection, inspectors found that pupils above the age of 11 did not have access to showers after physical education (PE). At the time of the inspection, PE was being carried out on the school site.
p.2
showers
The school now uses a provider in a nearby town for PE lessons. The provider has onsite shower facilities for pupils which the school has assessed and confirmed to be safe and suitable.
p.2
showers
The previously unmet standard in this part is now met.
p.2
About this inspection
The inspector carried out this inspection under sections 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspector checked the school’s compliance with the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.
p.2
About this inspection
Following our updated inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.
p.2
About this inspection
The inspection was conducted without notice. The inspector spoke with the headteacher, deputy headteacher and a representative of the proprietor during the inspection. The inspector also spoke with members of staff.
p.2
About this inspection
The school received its most recent standard inspection on 8 July 2025, at which it was judged to not comply with the independent school standards.
p.3
About this inspection
Following the standard inspection in July 2025, The Department for Education (DfE) required the school to prepare an action plan. Ofsted evaluated the submitted plan on 11 November 2025 and found it to be acceptable. The DfE accepted the action plan on 17 December 2025.
p.3
About this inspection
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.
p.3
About this inspection
The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:
p.3
About this inspection
The school does not use alternative provision.
p.3
About this inspection
The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Some pupils have an education, health and care plan.
p.3
About this school
Proprietor Cambian Childcare Ltd Headteacher Miss Lucy Harrison Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 20 Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Number of part-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Age range of pupils 8 to 18 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £59,993 Email address darwin.school@cambiangroup.com education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people
p.3
About this school
If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .
p.4
About this school
Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .
p.4
About this school
T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted
p.4
Discuss this inspection
Members compare notes on inspectors and inspections here. Join free to read and post.
Join the discussion