Hawthorn

Hawthorn, 5 May 2026 1 Hawthorn Chalkhill Farm, New House Lane, Chartham, Kent, CT4 7BF

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material changes relating to the school provision are 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 age range of pupils.

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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 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 ensures that leaders and managers have the skills, knowledge and support they need to secure the consistent long ‑ term meeting of the independent school standards. Leaders’ proposal shows a dedicated commitment to meeting pupils’ needs as they move into adulthood.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders, including the proprietor, know pupils and their individual needs well. They prioritise pupils’ wellbeing and present a clear rationale for extending the school’s age range from 18 years to 19 years. By working closely with professionals and Hawthorn, 5 May 2026 2 local authorities, leaders have developed a strategic approach to supporting pupils over the age of 18 years, meeting their therapeutic needs while helping them prepare for education, training and employment as they enter adult life.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

To sustain compliance with the standards over time, leaders use well-established systems and processes, including those for risk assessment and safeguarding. The proprietor maintains rigorous oversight of the school’s provision to ensure continued compliance with the independent school standards.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that the current programme of professional development sufficiently covers safeguarding children and vulnerable adults over the age of 18 years. Safeguarding training is revisited often and updated at least annually. Staff receive additional training to meet the mental health and therapeutic needs of young adults and children.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that the standard in this part is likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve the material change.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have an effective oversight of matters relating to safeguarding pupils. Safeguarding polices, including those pertaining to safeguarding vulnerable adults over the age of 18 years, are suitably detailed. Policies set out the steps that the school will take to respond to concerns about pupils’ safety, including leaders engaging and consulting with adult social care if appropriate.

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Safeguarding

Those responsible for leading safeguarding have the additional training that they need to check that the culture of safeguarding helps to protect pupils and adults from harm. The proprietor and school leaders regularly review safeguarding practices and procedures to ensure polices are applied consistently well.

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Safeguarding

Staff receive relevant ongoing training to help them understand the additional vulnerabilities of pupils in the setting, including those who are over the age of 18 years. Leaders demonstrate an awareness of the actions they must take to support pupils who may be at risk of harm. External agencies, parents and pupils are involved in decision-making where appropriate.

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Safeguarding

The school publishes its safeguarding policy on the school’s website. Hawthorn, 5 May 2026 3

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Risk assessment

Leaders demonstrate awareness of the potential risks involved in supporting students over the age of 18 years. The proprietor maintains effective oversight of the risk-assessment policy and its implementation, ensuring that pupils remain safe during their time at school. Staff understand how to use risk assessments to support pupils’ safety and wellbeing and to minimise any potential risks that may arise between pupils. The school has carefully considered how to use staff-to-pupil ratios to ensure that pupils of all ages are supervised well and their individual needs can be met.

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Risk assessment

All pupils have individual risk assessments that staff and professionals review regularly. When developing risk assessments, the school works in partnership with parents, professionals and parents and carers to clearly identify pupils’ vulnerabilities and associated risks. Assessments indicate appropriate strategies to reduce potential harm. The risk assessments for students aged over 18 set out clearly how staff will ensure that pupils can fully access the school’s offer, including taking part in trips and visits safely. Risk assessments are regualrly shared with staff to ensure they know how to respond quickly to keep pupils safe.

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Risk assessment

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if DfE decides to approve the material change.

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

The proprietor knows how to carry out appropriate pre-employment checks to ensure the suitability of recruited staff. The proprietor ensures that all required checks are completed before new staff begin employment. The proprietor also ensures that thorough and effective procedures are in place for the induction of new staff. Expectations for staff training are made explicitly clear.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record complies with statutory guidance and includes all required pre-employment checks for the proprietor and staff. Leaders know when they must complete checks for those with teaching responsibilities and for individuals who may have lived or worked abroad.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record is subject to regular checks by both the proprietor and school leaders, ensuring consistent oversight and ongoing accuracy. The school does not currently use, nor does it intend to use, supply staff. However, leaders Hawthorn, 5 May 2026 4 demonstrate a secure understanding of the checks that they must complete should they need to do so.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve the material change.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has an accessibility plan. It complies with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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 school’s proposed change to the age range of pupils.

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About this inspection

The school has applied to the Department for Education (DfE) to make a material change to its registration. At the DfE’s request, inspectors checked whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the DfE decides to approve the change. This part of the inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002.

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About this inspection

The outcome of this part of the inspection is 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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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the proprietor and headteacher. The inspector also spoke to representatives from Kent local authority 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 Hawthorn, 5 May 2026 5 safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. The inspector also reviewed the school’s approach to risk assessment for students over the age of 18 years.

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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 currently operates from Chalkhill Farm, New House Lane, Chartham, Kent, CT4 7BF.

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About this inspection

The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils have an education, health and care plan.

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About this inspection

The school uses no providers of alternative provision.

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body

Headteacher Sarah Watson Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 8

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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 £45,000 to £65,000 Email address chalkhillfarm123@gmail.com Hawthorn, 5 May 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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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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