The Write Time

The Write Time, 22 April 2026 1 The Write Time Warrington Road, Opposite Ludford Close, Croydon, London CR0 4BH

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented

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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 the maximum number of pupils attending.

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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 (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.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor and leaders have high expectations and are focused on pupils’ learning and wellbeing in everything they do. Since the last material change inspection, the proprietor has acted to ensure that all the standards that were checked are likely to be met. They have designed and refurbished the additional classrooms and the specialist and therapy rooms to be a positive learning environment that is comfortable and welcoming for pupils. Leaders ensure that pupils feel they belong in school. The Write Time, 22 April 2026 2 There is a strong team ethos across the staff, and leaders support a commitment to personal growth and meaningful professional career trajectories for all staff. Staff know their pupils well. Their training in safeguarding and health and safety enables them to support pupils effectively. Systems and record-keeping guided by robust policies and professional training ensure that there is capacity for the

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

standards to be met consistently over time.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor and governors hold leaders to account through regular meetings, school visits and reports. Governors commission professional external support, audits and reviews so that the school can benefit from other perspectives.

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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 likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Safeguarding

Leaders provide effective support to pupils. They follow up concerns in a timely manner, with appropriate record-keeping, risk assessments and recommendations. They work with external agencies to provide targeted intervention and help for pupils. Leaders monitor online safety effectively. The proprietor and governors hold leaders to account through regular meetings, reports from governors’ meetings and external safeguarding audits.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities, including whom to report to and how to follow up concerns. They can talk thoughtfully about the impact that their safeguarding training has on them and their working practice to keep pupils safe.

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Safeguarding

Pupils feel safe. They consider that this is because of the way adults care for them. Pupils value displays around the school that give them safety information and set clear expectations for how everyone behaves. The high level of adult supervision helps pupils to feel safe. Pupils are clear that if they had any concerns, adults would sort them out. They learn how to stay safe and manage risks through their curriculum, such as preparation for adulthood classes and personal, social and health education lessons.

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Safeguarding

The school’s safeguarding policy meets requirements and is available on the school website.

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Supervision of pupils

The school ensures that pupils are adequately supervised. There is a rota for supervision at transition and social times, which is updated at the daily staff The Write Time, 22 April 2026 3 briefings. Staff actively welcome pupils at drop-off into the school in the morning. They engage with pupils and ensure that they are happy and settled before the start of lessons. At lunchtimes, staff and pupils eat together. Pupils know the routines and staff ensure that lunch is an enjoyable social occasion. The proprietor has ensured that there are sufficient additional staff to provide effective supervision for the proposed additional pupils.

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Health and safety, risk assessment and fire

The school’s health and safety policy meets requirements. Responsibilities of staff and leaders, and of the expectations and procedures to be followed, are clear. The school, including the proposed additional buildings, has a schedule of daily, weekly and termly health and safety checks as appropriate. Records show that these are implemented and that action is taken when required.

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Health and safety, risk assessment and fire

Following the previous material change inspection, the proprietor has taken action to ensure that the school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The proprietor commissioned a new external fire safety audit and has taken action to rectify any improvements needed.

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Health and safety, risk assessment and fire

The school has a robust policy and process for managing and mitigating risk to ensure that pupils and staff are safe. Risk assessments are detailed; they follow the steps set out in the policy and are reviewed regularly. The risk assessments for the proposed additional rooms are suitable and take into account the needs of pupils. Risk assessments for other activities, including trips and visits, meet requirements. Records of incidents of pupil restraint are recorded in a timely manner and reviewed regularly by leaders.

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Health and safety, risk assessment and fire

The proprietor has ensured that the standards that were checked in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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

Leaders responsible for recruiting staff have safer recruitment training and are knowledgeable and meticulous in making sure that procedures are followed correctly. They know how to make and record all the required checks for staff, including extra staff appointed to support the proposed increase in pupil numbers.

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

Leaders take steps to ensure that the appointment process tests out applicants understanding of, and commitment to, safeguarding. The proprietor takes appropriate external professional advice on checks when required. The Write Time, 22 April 2026 4

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record (SCR) is well organised and complete. It includes information about all the required checks on employed staff, agency staff, governors and the proprietor. The SCR is regularly checked by the governor with responsibility for safeguarding and the proprietor.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has ensured that the standards that were checked in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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and showers

There are sufficient toilets with washing facilities to meet the needs of the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The temperature of the water is appropriate and monitored regularly. There are suitable showers and changing room facilities.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The medical room is fully equipped. There is a sink in the room and a toilet next door. The medical room is a warm and comfortable space for sick pupils and is suitable for the proposed increase in pupils.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school provides a safe environment for pupils. The present premises and the proposed additional buildings have been upgraded and are maintained well on a day-to-day basis. Pupils’ safety is a priority. Risk assessments are detailed and comprehensive. Expectations of pupils and staff are clear.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The classrooms in the proposed building are spacious and have suitable acoustics and natural and artificial lighting. They are finished and resourced to the same quality as those in the existing school, including specialist resources for art. Classrooms and therapy rooms include soft furnishings such as sofas and are carpeted where appropriate. There is appropriate external lighting.

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Outdoor space

The school has extensive grounds, including a playground, games courts and a field. These are well maintained and have fixed games and sports equipment. This is in working order and is checked regularly. There is a high perimeter fence which The Write Time, 22 April 2026 5 makes the site secure. The field provides a delightful suitable outdoor space for pupils to enjoy at breaktime and lunchtime.

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Outdoor space

The proprietor has ensured that the standards that were checked in this part, are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has an appropriate accessibility policy and plan in place, which includes consideration of the proposed additional spaces and increase in pupil numbers.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The proprietor has ensured that this regulation is likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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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.

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About this inspection

The inspection was conducted without notice.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the headteacher and other senior leaders, the proprietor and the governor with responsibility for safeguarding.

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About this inspection

This is the second consecutive material change inspection in respect of this particular change that the school has applied to make. The previous material change inspection was in November 2025.

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About this inspection

The school operates from premises at Warrington Road, Opposite Ludford Close, Croydon, London CR0 4BH.

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About this inspection

The school provides education for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including social, emotional and mental health difficulties. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. The Write Time, 22 April 2026 6

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About this school

Proprietor Christopher Murray Headteacher Lana Philippson Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 60

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £39,995 Email address info@thewritetime.org.uk The Write Time, 22 April 2026 7 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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compulsory school age on roll

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compulsory school age on roll

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compulsory school age on roll

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