Whitehall Academy

Whitehall Academy, 14 May 2026 1 Whitehall Academy 21 Whitehall Street, Rochdale OL12 0LN

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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 (the 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 standards first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of 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 other leaders have the knowledge and expertise they need to make sure that the standards are met now, as well as how they will continue to be met over time. They understand the requirements of the standards and make regular checks on compliance. The proprietor takes care to appoint leaders and other staff with the relevant experience of supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. As a result, policies and procedures show due care and consideration for the needs and vulnerabilities of pupils on roll. Whitehall Academy, 14 May 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

The school has robust systems and procedures in place to keep pupils safe. Safeguarding leaders understand and fulfil their responsibilities well. There is a suitable safeguarding policy in place. The policy is published on the school’s website and reflects the current statutory guidance. The policy makes it clear how staff should identify, report and record any concerns about pupils. In addition, staff receive the training that they need to know how to report any concerns about adults who work in the school, should they arise. Leaders make regular checks on staff’s safeguarding knowledge. Leaders and the proprietor have the additional safeguarding training that they need to make meaningful checks on the safeguarding culture across the school. The school’s safeguarding policy has been carefully considered to reflect the needs and vulnerabilities of pupils who attend the school.

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Health and safety and fire

Leaders have high regard for health and safety across the site. The health and safety policy reflects leaders’ ambition to create a safe environment for pupils and staff. There are effective systems in place for reporting any maintenance issues that occur. Leaders make sure that any issues are rectified swiftly and to a high standard. There are regular site checks to make sure that the indoor and outdoor areas are safe for pupils.

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Health and safety and fire

The proprietor makes use of a competent external professional for all aspects of fire safety. This ensures that the building complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Relevant staff have fire marshal training to understand their role and responsibilities well. Regular fire drills take place with any action points noted and completed.

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Health and safety and fire

The proposed number of additional staff is suitable for the proposed additional number of pupils should the material change be approved. The proprietor takes care to appoint staff with the relevant knowledge and expertise to support pupils’ specific needs. Staff understand pupils’ needs well and supervise them appropriately.

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Risk assessment

There is a suitable risk assessment policy in place. The policy sets out how risks are identified as well as how risks are mitigated. Pupil risk assessments show an in-depth understanding of individual needs and vulnerabilities. Leaders use this Whitehall Academy, 14 May 2026 3 information to evaluate risks effectively. Information contained in risk assessments is shared between the staff team through well-established procedures. Regular reviews take place to make sure that risk assessments remain 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 and other leaders have a secure understanding of the required recruitment checks for staff as set out in the current statutory guidance. This includes checks on temporary agency staff who may work at the school. The proprietor seeks the necessary assurances that all checks have been completed before staff commence employment at the school. The appropriate checks are made on members of the proprietor body. Leaders are aware of the requirement for overseas checks for any staff that this applies to.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor makes sure that the school has an accurate single central record (SCR) of all recruitment checks made. The proprietor seeks regular assurances that the SCR is up to date and reflects current statutory guidance. 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 enough toilets and washing facilities available for the proposed additional number of pupils should the material change be approved. Pupil toilets are for individual use and are lockable from the inside. Water in the hand-washing sinks is kept at a safe temperature with regular checks made. There is plentiful drinking-water available for pupils throughout the school day. There are shower and changing facilities available for pupils to use.

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Medical room

There is a medical room that allows for the short-term treatment of sick or injured pupils. The medical room contains and toilet and a sink. In addition to this, the room contains a bed, blanket, pillow and first-aid kit. There is appropriate storage Whitehall Academy, 14 May 2026 4 for medication and first-aid kits. Leaders record the administration of first aid and medication appropriately.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

There is a suitable health and safety policy in place. The additional floor of the building has been refurbished to a high standard. The proprietor has carefully considered pupils’ needs when designing the layout of the new part of the school. The additional classrooms and spaces available are suitable for the proposed additional pupils on roll should the material change be approved.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Sound and lighting throughout the building contributes to a suitable environment for pupils to learn. The additional floor of the building has been refurbished with this in mind. Classrooms are light and airy. There is external lighting that covers all exits.

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Outdoor space

There is suitable outdoor space for recreation. The large outdoor area has been carefully designed to meet the needs of pupils who attend the school. Equipment in place is suitable for the age range and needs of pupils who attend the school. The space available is big enough to accommodate the potential additional pupils should the material change be approved.

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Outdoor space

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 school's accessibility plan

The school has a suitable accessibility plan in place.

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About this inspection

The inspector carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspector 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 updated inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the chair of the proprietor body, the headteacher and other staff during the inspection. Whitehall Academy, 14 May 2026 5 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 is the first material change inspection in respect to an increase in pupil numbers.

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About this inspection

The school operates from premises at 21 Whitehall Street, Rochdale OL12 0LN.

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About this inspection

The school caters for pupils with communication and interaction needs, including autism and social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

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About this school

Proprietor Whitehall Academy Ltd Headteacher Leanne Doherty Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 28

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 5 to 11 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £77,250 to £108,150 Email address info@thewhitehallacademy.co.uk Whitehall Academy, 14 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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