Wickham Park School

Wickham Park School, 30 April 2026 1 Wickham Park School Hawes Lane, West Wickham BR4 9AA

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards if it is registered

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report:

The purpose of this inspection was to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the proposed school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards and associated requirements that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out pre-registration inspections of proposed independent schools, we report on the provider’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 effective oversight of the work of the school. Through their actions, representatives of the proprietor body model the school’s vision for leaders and staff. There are clear systems for holding leaders to account. Representatives from the proprietor body visit the school often.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Staff in the proprietor’s central team collaborate well with the headteacher and school leaders, for example through developing the proposed school’s curriculum and through choosing paint colours for the refurbished buildings to provide a calm environment for pupils. Leaders think deeply about the quality of spaces and the learning environment they want for pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor and leaders are fully focused on the needs of pupils and how to do their best for them. Leaders are knowledgeable, highly qualified and experienced. Wickham Park School, 30 April 2026 2 They know the independent school standards well. They are creative and ambitious for pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders have plans for gathering the views of parents and how those messages can be considered at school and proprietor level. Leaders have ensured that a wide range of training opportunities are available for staff. Also, the proprietor has ensured that staff and leaders build networks both within the proprietor’s group and across the professional community. There is leadership capacity for the standards to be met consistently over time.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the school.

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Curriculum

The school has an ambitious curriculum, which is based on the national curriculum and meets all the required areas of learning. Knowledge is well sequenced and leads to a range of academic and vocational qualifications and accreditation at key stage 4 and post-16.

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Curriculum

Staff are well qualified and experienced in their subjects. There is an extensive programme of induction in place to set expectations for staff and ensure that they can deliver the curriculum effectively.

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Curriculum

The school has a positive focus on developing pupils’ foundational knowledge. Leaders intend to use an established phonics programme to develop pupils’ decoding and comprehension skills in reading. For weaker readers in the secondary phase, the school intends to use a programme with decodable texts that are more suited to an older age group. Curriculum plans include appropriate literature texts. There is a comprehensive and detailed curriculum plan for mathematics.

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Curriculum

Layered within the subject medium-term plans is a clear focus on developing communication and learning skills, independence and preparation for adulthood and careers education. There is a suitable programme for teaching relationships and sex education and health education.

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Teaching and assessment

The school’s chosen pedagogy will focus on modelling activities for pupils to support them to learn skills and know more and remember more. Leaders intend that teachers will adapt the curriculum content to meet the needs of pupils, using Wickham Park School, 30 April 2026 3 targets from individual classroom plans and assessment information. The school will use a range of baseline information to identify pupils’ starting points.

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Teaching and assessment

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the school.

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pupils

The school’s curriculum offers pupils many opportunities for wider personal development. These are detailed in the curriculum plans for subjects. They will be delivered through timetabled lessons and trips, such as cultural and social activities in art, and opportunities for pupils to collaborate and develop their sense of right and wrong in PSHE. Also, the school’s assembly programme and one-to- one sessions will support this aspect of the school’s work further.

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pupils

Pupils will learn about British values, institutions and democracy. Pupils will be able to develop their sense of self and contribute to their school community through pupil voice and the school council. Pupils will learn respect for difference.

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pupils

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the school.

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Safeguarding

Leaders are knowledgeable about safeguarding and the requirements of the associated legislation. From other schools in the group, they bring an in-depth experience of keeping pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) safe. They can identify key risks to pupils because of their vulnerability and show how the school intends to respond through staff training, clear systems and support for pupils.

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Safeguarding

Staff training is extensive. All senior staff, including the pastoral lead and attendance officer, are trained to level 3. Leaders have set up robust systems for recording, triage and follow-up of safeguarding concerns. Leaders are developing a network of relationships with other schools and external agencies to inform practice and decision-making.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The proposed school has a behaviour policy, which is in line with the school’s vision and aims. The policy sets out the therapeutic approach with high Wickham Park School, 30 April 2026 4 expectations and clear boundaries to support pupils’ self-regulation. All staff will be trained to implement the policy. There is a system for recording incidents so that leaders can identify any patterns or trends. There is a plan in place to ensure that pupils are supervised effectively in class, at social times and on trips out of school.

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Anti-bullying

The anti-bullying policy and the system for reporting and follow-up by staff meets requirements.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The health and safety policy meets requirements. It sets out high expectations of staff and makes roles responsibilities clear. The policy sets out a programme of regular checks to ensure that the building, services and resources are safe.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The fire safety risk assessment is up to date. All issues identified in the snagging of the building work have been addressed. Fire exits are clear and there is appropriate signage in classrooms and corridors. All staff will have fire marshal training.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

Logs for recording first aid and accident reporting are in place. All staff will be first aid trained.

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Admissions and attendance

The attendance policy explains how the school will record and follow up attendance. It includes accurate guidance on absence codes. Attendance registers well be electronic. The draft admissions register includes all the required information.

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Risk assessment

The school has a well-planned and systematic approach to assessing and mitigating risk. Risk assessments are in place for the building, different spaces and handling of resources. There are also sample risk assessments for activities, including trips. Pupil risk assessments will be in place for all pupils. These will include specific guidance for using restraint and physical intervention bespoke for individual pupils.

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Risk assessment

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the school. Wickham Park School, 30 April 2026 5

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and the single central record of these checks

Leaders responsible for doing the checks are knowledgeable and meticulous. They know how to make and record all the required checks for staff, agency staff and members of the proprietor body. These are completed and recorded accurately on the single central record, which is regularly checked by the proprietor.

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and the single central record of these checks

All senior leaders and representatives of the proprietor have completed safer recruitment training. As a result, everyone involved in the recruitment and interview process understands the importance of safeguarding. School leaders and human resources staff in the central team communicate effectively. They collaborate well, for example when identifying and discussing any red flags about candidates during the recruitment process.

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and the single central record of these checks

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the school.

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and showers

There are suitable toilet and washing facilities for boys and girls of different ages. There are showers and changing accommodation. The cold and hot water supplies work correctly, and the hot water temperature is appropriate. There are drinking water points for pupils.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The medical room is a warm, nurturing space. It has natural light, a toilet, washing facilities and a shower. The room contains a fridge for the storage of medicines, and it is fully equipped for first aid.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proprietor has ensured that the church and church buildings have been thoughtfully and safely converted for use as a school. The building has a high- quality design and finish. This provides a safe and inspiring environment to meet pupil needs well. Regular safety checks ensure that the safety of the premises is maintained. Wickham Park School, 30 April 2026 6

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Classrooms with high ceilings going into the roof of the church building have acoustic baffles. Most classrooms are carpeted and many have other soft furnishings sofas and cushions. All classrooms and therapy rooms have controlled airflow and natural light. Additional lighting is dimmable.

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Outdoor space

The school has outdoor space which has been carefully zoned to provide different areas for pupils. There is ample space for physical education and games, a variety of equipment for play, seating areas and an area for a forest school experience.

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Outdoor space

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school website includes all the required information for parents, including the contact details for the proprietor. The safeguarding policy is up to date and meets the requirements of the statutory guidance. Other policies are detailed and comprehensive and give valuable information to parents.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The website contains information about the school’s vision and ethos and the proprietor’s aspirations for pupils. The curriculum information means that parents can see how the school intends to meet the needs of pupils with SEND.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the school.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The complaints policy is in writing and available for parents on the school website. It explains how parents can make a complaint to the school. The policy sets out a detailed process for considering the complaint, with clear timelines. There is a log for recording the details of any complaint. The complaints policy meets requirements.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the school.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has an accessibility policy and plan in place which meet requirements. Wickham Park School, 30 April 2026 7 The proposed school is likely to meet this regulation if the DfE decides to register the school.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools.

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About this inspection

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

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

Pupils who will attend the proposed school will have a range of special educational needs, particularly autism, speech and language difficulties and social, emotional and mental health needs. They are likely to have experienced disruptive schooling prior to admission. All pupils will have an EHC plan.

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About this inspection

The school does not intend to use alternative provision.

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About this inspection

The proposed school will use the premises of a former church and associated buildings. The buildings have been converted for educational use.

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About this inspection

Inspection activities: The inspector spoke with the headteacher of the proposed school and representatives of the proprietor body, including the chief executive officer and the head of governance.

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Lead inspector

Janet Hallett Ofsted Inspector Wickham Park School, 30 April 2026 8

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About this proposed school

Proprietor Horizon Care and Education Group Limited Headteacher Hayley Gibbs Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 70

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authority

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 5 to 19 Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: Mixed

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teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 10 Annual fees for day pupils £72,050 to £102,000 Email address wickhampark.office@horizoncare.co.uk Wickham Park School, 30 April 2026 9 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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teaching staff

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teaching staff

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teaching staff

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