Estuary High School

Estuary High School 820 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 3NH

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inspection report:

Overall outcome The school meets all of the independent school standards that were checked during this inspection

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inspection report:

At its most recent inspection, the school was judged to not meet all of the independent school standards and associated requirements.

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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.

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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 first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the independent school 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.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The independent school standards (the standards) in part 8 were not met at the standard inspection in April 2025. The proprietor had not maintained sufficient oversight over the school’s work. There were significant weaknesses in the school’s safeguarding processes. The school did not evaluate or check its own work well enough. The school’s leadership did not have sufficient capacity to improve provision.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

At the progress monitoring inspection in September 2025 the proprietor had addressed some of these issues. The safeguarding standard was now met. There was more robust oversight and enhanced leadership capacity. The school had put in place well-considered means of checking the quality of its work. However, these improvements were new. Some of the standards in part 1 were still not met. Staff were not yet confident in supporting pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Therefore, the proprietor had not ensured that all the standards were met.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has implemented an effective action plan to address these failings. The proprietor has ensured school leaders receive the training they require. This includes in knowledge of the standards. The proprietor makes regular checks on whether the school is compliant with the standards. The proprietor body gets the information it needs to monitor the school’s work effectively.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor and school leaders check routinely on the quality of provision. The proprietor continues to ensure that there is sufficient leadership capacity. An example of this is the sustained use of a school improvement partner. This gives an additional layer of support and challenge to the school’s leadership.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders have trained staff successfully. Staff know how to support pupils’ SEND. For instance, staff have received training in how past trauma affects pupils’ education and behaviour. Staff now meet pupils’ need well.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that these standards are met.

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Curriculum and teaching

At the time of the standard inspection in April 2025, these standards were not met. The curriculum had not been well designed. It did not build pupils’ knowledge successfully on their prior learning. Staff did not have the subject knowledge and understanding of the curriculum they needed. Pupils did not learn well and they disengaged.

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Curriculum and teaching

The proprietor had made some improvements by the progress monitoring inspection in September 2025. There was now a coherent curriculum. Staff were explaining and modelling this well. However, they were not fully confident in adapting learning for pupils’ SEND and starting points. Pupils were not making the progress through the curriculum as well as they could. They found this frustrating.

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Curriculum and teaching

Leaders have rectified these issues. The school has adjusted learning well for different starting points. Pupils learn a bespoke curriculum that matches their needs and interests. There are high expectations of what they can achieve. Staff ensure learning carefully builds on pupils’ prior knowledge. Where pupils learn off site, this is well supported and supervised. Pupils often produce high-quality work. For example, in art, they use their studies of Cezanne and Andy Warhol to create beautifully crafted artworks which they are proud of.

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Curriculum and teaching

The school meets pupils’ needs. It initially prioritises meeting their social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. This helps pupils settle quickly. They benefit from clear routines. Teaching is successfully adapted for their learning needs. Pupils develop positive levels of motivation. Their attendance and behaviour improve as they progress through the school. Pupils develop their independence. They have clear aspirations for their next steps, and plans to achieve their goals. Pupils typically learn what they need to be successful.

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Curriculum and teaching

The proprietor has ensured that these standards are met.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have maintained a vigilant culture of safeguarding. The proprietor has written and published a suitable safeguarding policy. The proprietor ensures key information about risks that pupils face is routinely shared with all who need to know this. The school liaises efficiently and appropriately with outside agencies if pupils are at risk of harm.

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Safeguarding

Staff are well trained in keeping pupils safe. Sometimes, pupils struggle to manage their emotions. Where this happens, the school takes suitable action to support their needs. This rapidly deescalates any tensions. The school uses risk assessments carefully. This enables staff to know what support pupils may require. The school’s diligent work means pupils feel and are safe.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor has ensured that these standards are met.

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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.

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About this inspection

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.

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About this inspection

The co-chairs of the proprietary body are Roz Parsons and Andre Palmer.

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About this inspection

Following our renewed inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

The inspection was conducted without notice. This is the case for all progress monitoring inspections of independent schools.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the headteacher, the proprietor’s director of children’s services, and other school staff. Inspectors 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.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

The school caters for pupils with SEMH needs. Most pupils have an education, health and care plan.

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About this inspection

The school operates from 820 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 3NH.

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About this inspection

The school’s most recent standard inspection was on 23 April 2025. The school was judged inadequate. Safeguarding was deemed ineffective. Several standards were unmet. The Department for Education (DfE) asked the school to submit an action plan. This was evaluated by Ofsted on 27 June 2025. The action plan was deemed not acceptable.

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About this inspection

The first progress monitoring inspection was on 16 September 2025. At this, the safeguarding standard was met. However, some of the other standards were still not met. The DfE asked the school to submit another action plan. This was evaluated by Ofsted on 29 December 2025. It was deemed to be acceptable, with modifications.

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About this inspection

This is the second progress monitoring inspection since the standard inspection in April 2025.

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About this inspection

The school makes use of one unregistered alternative provision and online tutoring.

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About this inspection

The school is registered to have post-16 students. At the time of the inspection there were none on roll in this phase.

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About this school

Proprietor Kites Children's Services Ltd Headteacher Mrs Doreen Ellis Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 10 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 13 to 18 Gender of pupils Boys Annual fees for day pupils £36,800 to £41,600 Email address dee@estuaryhigh.com

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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 ap- propriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 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  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 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 proprie- tor 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 in- dependent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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