Healey Learning Centre

Healey Learning Centre, 31 March 2026 1 Healey Learning Centre Unit 16, Hollow Works, Shawclough Road, Rochdale OL12 6LN

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inspection report:

Overall outcome The school meets the independent school standards relevant to the material change

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inspection report:

This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), which is the registration authority for independent schools. The school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration. The school proposes to change its premises and change the maximum number of pupils attending.

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inspection report:

The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out material change 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 proprietor and other leaders have the knowledge and expertise that they need to fulfil their responsibilities well. They understand the requirements of the independent school standards (the standards) and make regular checks on compliance. The proprietor has arrangements in place to ensure compliance with the standards now, as well as over time. The proprietor and other leaders have the relevant background and expertise in supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Systems and procedures in place show high regard to the types of needs that pupils may join the school with and how pupils will be kept safe. Healey Learning Centre, 31 March 2026 2 The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Safeguarding

There is a suitable safeguarding policy in place. The policy is published on the school’s website and reflects the most recent statutory guidance. The policy contains detailed information about how to identify, report and record concerns. In addition, there is information regarding general safeguarding systems and procedures in the school. Information about the designated safeguarding lead and whistleblowing procedures is available in the policy. Staff involved in leading safeguarding receive additional training to make sure that there is a strong culture of safeguarding across the school. Leaders have thought carefully about how the safeguarding systems will operate in a multi-site environment.

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Health and safety, and fire

The health and safety policy reflects leaders’ high expectations for creating a safe environment for pupils. There are well-considered systems in place to make sure that each site is fit for purpose. Along with this, there are robust systems in place for staff to report any defects or issues that may arise. Internal and external regular maintenance checks take place to ensure that the sites remain a safe place for pupils to learn in.

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Health and safety, and fire

The proprietor uses a competent external professional to advise them about all aspects of fire safety. This includes servicing firefighting equipment at the required intervals. Relevant staff have had additional training to understand their roles as fire marshals and to carry out fire safety checks. Regular fire drills take place, with any points for action noted and completed. The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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Health and safety, and fire

The proprietor takes care to recruit staff with the appropriate background experience and knowledge of the types of needs that pupils who attend the school may have. This helps staff to understand how to safely supervise pupils while promoting independence. The proposed number of staff is suitable for ensuring that the increased number of pupils will be supervised appropriately.

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Risk assessment

The school’s risk assessment policy sets out how staff will identify and mitigate risks. All pupils have an individual risk assessment, as well as those in place for other aspects of the provision. Risk assessments show suitable consideration of the needs and vulnerabilities of pupils who attend the school. Risk assessments Healey Learning Centre, 31 March 2026 3 are regularly reviewed and updated by leaders to make sure they are fit for purpose.

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Risk assessment

The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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The recruitment checks made on staff, supply staff and the proprietor

The proprietor makes the required safeguarding checks on new staff. This includes checks that are made on temporary agency staff. The proprietor has a secure understanding of the requirements set out in statutory guidance and seeks the necessary assurances that recruitment checks have been completed. The appropriate recruitment checks are made on the members of the proprietor body. The school makes the relevant checks on any staff who have spent time overseas in line with government guidance.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

Safeguarding checks made on new staff during recruitment are recorded accurately on the single central record (SCR). The proprietor has systems in place to check the SCR for accuracy at regular intervals. Records relating to the proprietor are included on the SCR, as well as those relating to suitability for leadership and management.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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and showers

There are an appropriate number of toilets and washing facilities available at each site if the material change is approved. Pupils’ toilets are for individual use and are lockable from the inside. Water is set at a safe temperature and is clearly marked for handwashing. Drinking water is available for pupils during the school day and is clearly labelled.

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and showers

At 2 of the sites, there are suitable and appropriate changing facilities for physical education. At the third site, the proprietor has a contract with a neighbouring gym. They have the relevant assurances in place about having sole use of the facilities, including showers and changing rooms, while the contract is in place. Healey Learning Centre, 31 March 2026 4

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Medical room

There is a suitable medical room at each site. The medical rooms contain a sink and are situated near a toilet. The rooms contain a bed, pillow, blanket and first- aid kit. There is appropriate storage for medication and first-aid kits. The administration of medication and first aid is recorded appropriately.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The 2 additional sites have been refurbished to a high standard to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The proprietor has carefully designed aspects of the building with pupils’ needs in mind, for example how visitors will access the buildings and how pupils can make use of quiet spaces when required.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Sound and lighting throughout the buildings contribute to a suitable environment for pupils to learn in. Alongside this, there is external lighting at all sites that covers the exits.

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Outdoor space

There is a suitable outdoor space for recreation at each site. At 2 of the sites, there is a suitable space for physical education. At the third site, the proprietor has plans in place to have weekly use of a neighbouring boxing gym where pupils will have physical education. The appropriate risk assessments are in place and pupils will be supervised by school staff.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has a suitable accessibility plan in place.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. Inspectors checked the school’s likely 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. Healey Learning Centre, 31 March 2026 5 Inspectors spoke with the chair of the proprietor body, the headteacher and the chair of governors during the inspection.

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About this inspection

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

This is the school’s first material change inspection in respect to an increase in pupil numbers and adding additional premises.

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About this inspection

The school operates from premises at Unit 15 and 16 Hollow Works, Shawclough Road, Rochdale OL12 6LN. The additional premises are located at: Total Fitness, Unit 1, Denmark Street, Altrincham WA14 2DE and 154 Higher Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3QT.

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About this inspection

The school is operating beyond its registration agreement with the DfE (as it is recorded on Get Information About Schools) as it has already increased the number of pupils on the school’s roll.

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About this inspection

The school provides education for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties and pupils with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders.

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About this school

Proprietor Apex Specialist Education Ltd Headteacher Robert Cochrane Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 30 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 11 to 16 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £44,733 to £74,067 Email address info@apex-specialisteducation.com Healey Learning Centre, 31 March 2026 6 providing 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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About this school

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About this school

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About this school

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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