Willow Park School

Willow Park School Newbold-on-Avon RFC, Parkfield Road, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1EZ

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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

At the last inspection, the independent school standards (the standards) in part 8 were not met. This was because the proprietor had not ensured that those responsible for the leadership and management of the school demonstrated the skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the standards were met consistently. The changes that leaders had made to the curriculum and teaching in the school were not embedded and were not having a consistent, positive impact on pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has now ensured that those responsible for the leadership and management of the school have the skills and knowledge they need to ensure that the independent school standards are met consistently. Leaders submitted an action plan following the previous inspection that found unmet independent school standards. This plan was accepted by the Department for Education.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are met. Leaders have implemented their action plan. They have done this in line with the timescales in the plan. They have reflected diligently on their action plan, evaluated the extent to which the actions are having a positive impact and adjusted their plans where they need to.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

As a result, the standards checked during this inspection are now met.

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Curriculum and teaching

At the last inspection, leaders had recently begun to implement a new curriculum. Not all lessons were as effectively planned as they needed to be. Staff made inconsistent adaptations for pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) that were not always effective.

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Curriculum and teaching

Now, leaders have embedded the curriculum and developments in teaching effectively. The curriculum is generally being taught well. Leaders have developed specific curriculum pathways that take into account individual pupils’ needs. They have communicated these well with staff. These curriculum pathways consider information from pupils’ education, health and care plans and a wealth of assessment and observational information to make sure that pupils can make the progress they are capable of.

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Curriculum and teaching

Pupils spend part of the day learning through play. Leaders have introduced a clear curriculum for these activities. This means that staff know how they are to develop pupils’ confidence, choice-making and communication through play, based on robust assessments of pupils’ starting points. As a result, pupils’ play helps them to learn and progress in line with their individual curriculum plans.

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Curriculum and teaching

In more structured activities, where the class learns together, staff understand their part in enabling each pupil to access the content of the lesson based on their starting point. For example, some pupils require little or no support to learn. These pupils are beginning to support their peers in lessons, which develops their confidence and wellbeing.

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Curriculum and teaching

Staff interactions with pupils are generally effective. Staff typically prioritise strengthening pupils’ communication and responding to their developing communicative attempts. Staff use communication aids, such as now-and-next indicators and other communication systems, in a way that is generally effective and consistent.

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Curriculum and teaching

The standards in this part that were checked during this inspection are now met.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has an accessibility plan which meets the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. The plan shows how the school will develop pupils’ access to the curriculum, the premises and information. The plan is reviewed regularly.

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About this inspection

Inspectors 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. Inspectors 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

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

This inspection was conducted without notice.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the proprietors, the headteacher, the principal and other staff during the inspection.

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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.

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About this inspection

This was the school’s third progress monitoring inspection. There have been 2 preceding progress monitoring inspections, on 15 October 2025 and 7 May 2025. At both inspections, the inspector judged that the school did not comply with the independent school standards.

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About this inspection

Following the standard inspection in December 2024, the Department for Education required the school to prepare a statutory action plan. Ofsted evaluated this action plan on 4 March 2025. The Department for Education accepted the school’s action plan on 8 January 2026.

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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 a range of SEND, including autism and speech, language and communication needs.

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About this inspection

The school is registered to provide education for up to 20 pupils from 5 to 11 years old. The school does not use any providers of alternative provision.

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About this inspection

The school operates from Newbold-on-Avon RFC, Parkfield Road, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1EZ.

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About this school

Proprietor Willow Park School Ltd Headteacher Mr Alex Smythe 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 5 to 11 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £65,000 to £103,000 Email address office@willowparkschool.warwickshire.sch.uk

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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 appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and ◼ 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 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 proprietor 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 independent 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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