Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School

Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School, 29 April 2026 1 Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School 1854 Hollow Lane, West Raynham, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 7HH

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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 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 changes to its registration. The school proposes to add additional premises and change the maximum number of pupils from 24 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 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

Leaders have ensured that the proposed changes to the school will meet the independent school standards. They have renovated the new site to a high standard. Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School, 29 April 2026 2 Leaders have ensured that the expansion of pupil numbers will be undertaken gradually. This is so that staff are confident with the school’s policies and practices. As a result, pupils’ wellbeing is likely to be maintained to the current high standards. Leaders actively promote pupil wellbeing through the appropriate and wide-ranging curriculum plus the extra-curricular opportunities available.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders have comprehensive understanding of the independent school standards (the standards). They know how to ensure that the independent school standards are met.

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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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Safeguarding

Leaders responsible for safeguarding have appropriate training and are knowledgeable about the risks that pupils may face. Leaders have trained additional designated safeguarding members of staff. They have adapted the staffing arrangements in classes to be able to appropriately support the proposed increase in number of pupils. All staff have been trained by leaders in the school’s safeguarding policies and practices. Regular briefings include a safeguarding focus to keep this as a key priority.

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Safeguarding

The safeguarding policy is available on the school website and follows current government guidance as issued by the Secretary of State.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The school’s behaviour policies will be the same on both sites, providing continuity for both pupils and staff. Additional staff have already been employed, so that their training is complete before new pupils join the school. There will be appropriate numbers of staff on each site at all times to supervise pupils appropriately and safely.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid and risk assessment

All appropriate risk assessments have been completed for the new building. Routine checks such as those on water and fire safety are undertaken. External professionals undertake work on plumbing and fire safety so that this is done to a high standard. Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School, 29 April 2026 3 There are clear arrangements in place for the safe evacuation of the site and designated safe meeting places. Leaders understand how to remain compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Emergency lighting is in place.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid and risk assessment

There is a written risk assessment policy that is implemented effectively. For example, leaders have ensured that there are appropriate risk assessments in place for the use of the new food technology area.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid and risk assessment

All pupils have individualised risks assessed as part of their individual learning plans. These plans are detailed and regularly updated as needed to meet individual pupils’ needs well.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid and risk assessment

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 recruitment checks made on staff, supply staff and the proprietor

All appropriate checks have been made on staff, supply staff and the proprietors. For example, the person’s identity, medical fitness and their right to work in the UK. The records of these are well maintained. Leaders have good understanding of the risk assessments that they might have to undertake before a member of staff commenced their employment.

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

All staff receive regular safeguarding training. Leaders have been trained in safer recruitment. The procedures for training new members of staff are robust.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record is accurate and well maintained. It contains all the necessary and relevant information.

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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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and showers

The new site has appropriate toilet facilities for the exclusive use of pupils. Sinks are in place and the proprietors intend to raise some that are currently too low to a more appropriate height before more pupils are on site. There are well-fitted Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School, 29 April 2026 4 facilities for washing hands and ensuring food safety in the new food technology room. The water supply is appropriately labelled and in line with the independent school standards, not posing a scalding risk. Pupils will have access to clearly labelled drinking water throughout the day. There are appropriate changing areas and showers.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils' therapy needs

There is a medical room, with a bed and a sink. It is close to toilet facilities and is always readily available to be used.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Regular checks are made on the building, following the comprehensive health and safety policy, for example the annual PAT testing of electrical items and legionella checks on the water supply. Where there have been ‘near misses’, for example a small burn to a finger in food technology, these are recorded on risk assessments so that adaptations are made to help avoid a repeat incident.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The new site has been freshly decorated. It is bright and airy. The lighting and acoustics are appropriate. Classrooms are large and provide plenty of space for pupils to work on their own or in larger groups. There is external and emergency lighting in place.

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Outdoor space

The school has a large, grassed area, with plenty of space to play. There is a range of play equipment and shaded areas for pupils to relax in and be sociable. The areas and equipment will be suitable for the increase in pupil numbers. The proprietors intend that pupils will continue to access the main school site for their physical education lessons.

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Outdoor space

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 6. Provision of information

All appropriate policies are shared on the school’s website. This includes, for example, the safeguarding policy. Other requirements such as the need for an annual written report of each pupil’s progress in the main subject areas taught will be provided to all parents. Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School, 29 April 2026 5 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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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 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

Inspectors spoke with the proprietors during the inspection. They considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements (including that the policy available to parents and carers). They checked the single central record of pre-employment checks. They had a tour of the proposed new premises.

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About this inspection

The proprietor is Ortus Education Ltd, with 2 directors, Clare Gammons and Matthew Braginton.

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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 school is proposing to open a second site. This will be known as the Weasenham site and is based at School Road, Weasenham, Norfolk, PE32 2SP . The building was previously a primary school. Pupils based at the Weasenham site will be primarily in key stages 3 and 4. Pupils across the whole school will access both sites at times, using specialist facilities such as the food technology room at Weasenham and the physical education spaces at West Raynham. The school is currently based at West Raynham, 1854 Hollow Lane, West Raynham, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 7HH.

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About this inspection

The proprietor has requested a material change to increase the maximum number of pupils on roll from 24 to 48. The proprietor has requested a material change to use additional premises for educating pupils.

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About this inspection

The school does not currently use any alternative provision. Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School, 29 April 2026 6 The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and health needs. Some pupils have a diagnosis of autism. All pupils have an education, health and care plan and are funded by their own local authority.

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About this school

Type of school Other independent special school

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compulsory school age on roll

Annual fees for day pupils £50,985 to £68,085

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compulsory school age on roll

Email address directors@ortuseducation.co.uk Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School, 29 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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