Cedar House School

Cedar House School, 8 May 2026 1 Cedar House School Low Bentham, Via Lancaster, North Yorkshire LA2 7DD

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.1

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.

p.1

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.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has applied to increase the number of pupils on the school’s roll in response to an increasing demand for school places in the local area and the positive reputation of the school. Leaders have previous experience of extending the school numbers successfully. The school intends for the number of pupils to increase gradually in the lower school. This is to ensure that current and new pupils are appropriately supported and receive the best possible care and education. Cedar House School, 8 May 2026 2 The proprietor and school leaders possess the necessary knowledge and experience to ensure that as the material change is implemented, the relevant standards continue to be met. They have appointed staff, who are suitably qualified and skilled. They understand their statutory responsibilities for annual reviews of pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor maintains effective oversight of the school. It ensures that regular checks are carried out on the safety of pupils. The school benefits from its work with colleagues working in other schools within the proprietor group. Staff access high-quality training and coaching to support their teaching and professional development. The school has suitable policies and procedures to ensure that the welfare of pupils remains the highest priority.

p.2

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders, including the proprietor, have a secure grasp of the requirements of the independent school standards (the standards). They understand their roles and responsibilities and make sure that their checks on the school’s compliancy with the standards remain rigorous.

p.2

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The school is likely to meet the independent school standards (the standards) in this part if the material change is implemented.

p.2

Safeguarding

The school has a comprehensive and suitable safeguarding policy. It details the school’s approach to safeguarding pupils. It takes account of the latest statutory guidance. It is published on the school website.

p.2

Safeguarding

The proprietor body understands its responsibilities to safeguard pupils. It provides the school with specialist advice and support from a clinical team of psychologists and therapists. These professionals work in school to support the welfare of pupils.

p.2

Safeguarding

The school has taken appropriate steps to ensure that it can meet the welfare and safeguarding needs of all pupils and there is capacity to extend this to a larger number of pupils on roll. A designated safeguarding lead has oversight of the school site. The school has trained other members of staff to the required level to support the safeguarding lead when necessary.

p.2

Safeguarding

Staff receive appropriate safeguarding training to support the welfare, health and safety of pupils. The school revisits aspects of the training regularly. This ensures that staff keep up to date with current statutory guidance and any national or local Cedar House School, 8 May 2026 3 safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding leads receive suitable safeguarding training from the proprietor group.

p.2

Safeguarding

The school ensures that pupils get the help they need. Leaders work proactively and positively with external agencies, such as local authorities and residential care homes to keep pupils safe.

p.3

Safeguarding

The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

p.3

Health and safety, fire, and supervision of pupils

The school has an appropriate health and safety policy. The policy is published on the school’s website.

p.3

Health and safety, fire, and supervision of pupils

The proprietor has renovated the new additional accommodation to a high standard. The school has implemented rigorous procedures across the school site to ensure that the school will continue to meet relevant health and safety laws.

p.3

Health and safety, fire, and supervision of pupils

Leaders have carefully considered potential hazards for pupils and staff. The school premises are sensitively designed to keep pupils safe, promote their welfare and meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well.

p.3

Health and safety, fire, and supervision of pupils

The school is compliant with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A fire risk assessment has been completed for the school site. Fire safety procedures are clearly outlined for staff. Fire safety equipment is in place across the school and serviced regularly. The school has implemented safe evacuation procedures across the school sites. Staff practise these procedures with pupils, including those new to the school, so that they know what to do in the event of an emergency.

p.3

Health and safety, fire, and supervision of pupils

The proprietor has ensured that pupils are adequately supervised at different times of the school day. Additional staff have been recruited to support the increase in pupil numbers. The school considers pupils’ specific needs and any adjustments that are needed in provision when allocating staff to supervise pupils.

p.3

Health and safety, fire, and supervision of pupils

The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

p.3

Risk assessment

The school has an effective risk assessment policy. It identifies for staff the possible health and safety risks in the school environment across the school site and beyond. Risk assessments show how the school identifies risks and the actions staff can take to manage them. Cedar House School, 8 May 2026 4 The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

p.3

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

The school completes the necessary checks on staff to make sure that they are suitable to work with children. The proprietor ensures that leaders comply with statutory requirements for the safe recruitment of staff.

p.4

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

The school has high expectations of staff. Recruitment procedures aim to appoint staff with relevant experience and the required expertise to teach and support pupils with SEND. The teacher who will be working in the new class area has had previous experience of working in the school and has the relevant experience to teach pupils with SEND .

p.4

The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record contains the statutory information for staff and leaders, including members of the proprietor body. It details who carried out the checks and when.

p.4

The single central record of these recruitment checks

The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

p.4

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

The proprietor has carefully checked the suitability of the school buildings to accommodate the proposed increase in the number of pupils. The school site is well equipped to keep pupils safe and support them to learn well in a positive, nurturing environment. For example, class sizes are small with an appropriate number of teaching and support staff. This will continue to be the case when there is an increase in pupil numbers.

p.4

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

The proprietor has repurposed a former music studio and adjoining room and refurbished them to a high standard. This provides the extra capacity to meet the increase in pupil numbers appropriately. The proprietor ensures that the school site is maintained in accordance with health and safety legislation.

p.4

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

Classrooms are light and airy. Acoustics are suitable. There is adequate internal and external lighting. The school site has ample facilities which enhance the provision for all pupils, such as a sports hall and a sensory development area. Cedar House School, 8 May 2026 5 Washing and toilet facilities are appropriate. Hot water does not pose a risk from scalding.

p.4

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

The school has developed high-quality facilities to support the increase in pupil numbers and the range of pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities well. For example, a specific therapy room, where therapists help pupils to reflect on life and talk about their concerns.

p.5

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

There are appropriate spaces inside and outside for pupils to socialise, take part in sports and to play. Suitable changing and showering facilities are provided in school. The common room is purposefully designed to provide cosy social areas and enterprise activities.

p.5

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

The school is likely to meet the relevant standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

p.5

The school’s accessibility plan

The school has a suitable accessibility policy and plan. The school meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 effectively.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities:

The inspectors spoke with the headteacher, a representative of the proprietor group, the designated safeguarding lead, the site manager and other members of staff during the inspection.

p.5

Inspection activities:

The inspectors reviewed the work undertaken to extend classroom provision.

p.5

Inspection activities:

A range of documents and policies were reviewed and discussed with leaders. Cedar House School, 8 May 2026 6

p.5

About this school

The school is a residential special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Some pupils also have autism, trauma difficulties and moderate learning difficulties. The vast majority of pupils have EHC plans. The school does not currently use any alternative provision. The school provides residential accommodation for a small number of pupils.

p.6

About this school

Proprietor Witherslack Group Ltd Headteacher Mr Stephen Salt Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 96

p.6

compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 7 to 18 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils From £88,185 Email address cedar-house@witherslackgroup.co.uk Cedar House School, 8 May 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

p.6

compulsory school age on roll

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

compulsory school age on roll

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

compulsory school age on roll

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

compulsory school age on roll

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7