Compass Community School Aylward Park

Compass Community School Aylward Park, 14 May 2026 1 Compass Community School Aylward Park Crown Street, Leiston, Suffolk IP16 4AX

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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 to include pupils in key stage 2. The school also proposes to increase the maximum number of pupils attending from 12 to 48.

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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 changes 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 has carefully considered the change in age range and increase in numbers. This is to reflect the growing need in the local area. This includes a need for places for key stage 2 pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Compass Community School Aylward Park, 14 May 2026 2 (SEND). Leaders plan to grow the school gradually. This is so they can manage the impact of any increase in numbers and change in age range carefully.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders within the school and wider proprietor group have appropriate knowledge and expertise. They know how to ensure the independent school standards (the standards) are met. For example, leaders understand the implications of any updates that are made to the standards. There are clear processes in place to quality assure the work of the school. Leaders have carefully considered how their systems enable them to maintain oversight at school, regional and national levels. This oversight enables leaders to have an appropriate understanding of how well pupils achieve.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

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Curriculum

Leaders have designed a curriculum that should be suitable for key stage 2 pupils. They have identified schemes of work that they intend to use across various subjects. Leaders have carefully considered the structure of the school week so that pupils experience a broad curriculum offer. Within this, leaders plan to provide sufficient time for pupils to secure the important building blocks of knowledge they need in reading, writing and mathematics. They have also identified appropriately when personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education will be taught. Leaders have identified what they will teach pupils about relationships within the PSHE curriculum.

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Curriculum

Leaders intend to align the curriculum to pupils’ specific needs. They aim to support staff to match the curriculum to information set out in each pupil’s education, health and care (EHC) plan.

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Teaching

Leaders have appointed staff with knowledge and experience in teaching primary age pupils. Existing staff are also experienced in teaching pupils with SEND. Leaders have designed an induction programme to support new staff that they appoint to understand how to support pupils with the specific needs the school caters for. Leaders have embedded quality assurance processes to identify where to provide staff with the ongoing training and guidance they need to teach the curriculum well. Compass Community School Aylward Park, 14 May 2026 3

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Assessment

Leaders aim to use their existing assessment processes when pupils join to quickly identify where pupils have gaps in their knowledge. This includes when a pupil has gaps in their phonics knowledge. Staff will then adapt the curriculum to each pupil on an individual level. Leaders have also identified appropriate ways to use ongoing assessment to help them to understand where to make appropriate changes to the curriculum each pupil will receive.

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Assessment

The standards checked in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

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pupils

The school has carefully considered how to support pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Across subjects, there are opportunities to teach pupils about fundamental British values. The PSHE curriculum covers a range of important content such as equality and what constitutes a healthy relationship. Social communication and therapy sessions are intended to support further. This should help the development of pupils’ self-esteem and confidence. Leaders provide current pupils with different opportunities for extra-curricular activities. For example, pupils go on trips to places that are linked to the subjects they study. Leaders plan to offer appropriate curriculum themed trips to key stage 2 pupils.

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pupils

The standard in this part was met at the previous inspection and is likely to be met should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

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Safeguarding

Leaders responsible for safeguarding are knowledgeable. Leaders ensure that staff receive timely and appropriate training to ensure they have appropriate safeguarding knowledge. Staff raise concerns about pupils quickly. Leaders take prompt and appropriate action on concerns raised. This includes seeking support from external agencies where needed. Leaders have expanded the size of the safeguarding team to cater for the increased number of pupils. They have also provided staff with training on ways to spot the signs a younger pupil may be at risk of harm. There is a safeguarding policy in place that is published on the Compass Community School Aylward Park, 14 May 2026 4 school’s website. It takes due regard of current government guidance as issued by the Secretary of State.

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Health and safety, fire, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

Leaders have clear systems for checking on the site. They act on issues when needed. Leaders complete routine checks such as periodic electrical testing. The site is well maintained.

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Health and safety, fire, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

There are clear procedures in place for the safe evacuation of the site. Emergency lighting is located throughout the building, and fire exits are clearly demarcated. Leaders seek the advice of external professionals where needed. For example, when drawing up and implementing the fire risk assessment.

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Health and safety, fire, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

Leaders have ensured there are appropriate risk assessments. Offsite visits clearly identify the potential risks and the action to take to mitigate these risks. Individual pupil risk assessments provide staff with useful information on how to support pupils. Leaders have already recruited additional staff should the material changes be approved. This is so they can maintain their current staff to pupil ratios.

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Health and safety, fire, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

The standards checked in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

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the single central record of these recruitment checks

Staff responsible for completing pre-employment checks have the required knowledge to do this. They ensure they complete the required checks prior to a member of staff taking up post. They also complete the appropriate checks on members of the proprietor body. The school does not routinely use supply staff. Staff understand what checks they would need to complete should they choose to. Staff record information accurately onto the single central record. Leaders ensure they routinely monitor the accuracy of checks recorded.

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the single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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and showers, medical room

There is an appropriately resourced medical room that is easily accessible. It contains a bed and a sink. Toilets, washing, changing and shower facilities are also readily available to pupils. Hot water is of an appropriate temperature. It does not pose a risk of scalding. Pupils will have access to clearly labelled drinking water throughout the day.

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conditions and outdoor space

Leaders have thoughtfully designed the new school site. There are six classrooms. Each one is a suitable size to cater for up to six pupils. There is a communal dining room which is also appropriately sized. One of these classrooms is intended for use as a key stage 2 space. Other classrooms will provide specialist teaching, such as in science. Leaders have also considered how to use additional space for interventions, therapy and sensory sessions. These should help to meet the specific needs pupils have. Classrooms are well resourced. For example, pupils have access to reading books which are appropriate for the age range leaders intend to admit. Classrooms are bright and inviting learning spaces. The acoustics should be appropriate once pupils are onsite. Leaders have created inviting outdoor spaces for pupils to use for both learning and communal times. These should be suitable for the age range leaders plan to

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conditions and outdoor space

have onsite. For example, pupils have access to a climbing frame to use during playtime. There is outside space for use during physical education lessons. Leaders also plan to utilise space offsite within the community should this be more appropriate for these lessons. The standards in this part were met at the previous inspection and are likely to be met should the DfE approve the implementation of the material changes.

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The school’s accessibility plan

There is a suitable accessibility plan that meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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 Compass Community School Aylward Park, 14 May 2026 6 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 (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the headteacher, a deputy headteacher, the senior director of education, the deputy director of education, other company staff, the chair of governors and the chair of the proprietor body board during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspector checked the school’s single central record of background checks for staff working at the school. A range of documents relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety, curriculum and school development were scrutinised.

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About this inspection

The school currently operates from Crown Street, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4AX. The proprietor intends to have a maximum of 12 pupils at this site. The inspector toured the new site where the provider intends to admit up to 36 pupils. All key stage 2 pupils will attend the new site. This is located at: Meadow View, Old School House, Heath Walk, Blaxhall, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 2EA.

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About this inspection

The school currently uses one unregistered provider of alternative provision.

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Lead inspector

Michael Williams His Majesty’s Inspector

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About this school

Proprietor Compass Community Schools Limited Chair of the proprietor body Stacy Wallace Headteacher Ms Charlotte Sterland Type of school Other Independent Special School Capacity 12 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 17 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £73,557 to £106,602 Compass Community School Aylward Park, 14 May 2026 7 Email address education.compliance@compass- schools.org Compass Community School Aylward Park, 14 May 2026 8 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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