Abbeywood School

Abbeywood School, 12 May 2026 1 Abbeywood School Rother Way, Hellaby Industrial Estate, Hellaby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S66 8QN

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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 and 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 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

There is a clearly defined leadership system at Abbeywood School. This ensures that leaders understand and enact their responsibilities effectively. Leaders are passionate, informed professionals. They use the effective, robust school systems well to ensure that any issues are known about and dealt with swiftly. There is a shared vision to place pupils’ wellbeing at the front of all that is done to help pupils to succeed. Abbeywood School, 12 May 2026 2 The proprietor has extensive experience of running schools in the education and care sector. While this school retains its individuality, the support offered by the proprietary board is valued. The shared systems that support the academic, social and wellbeing needs of the pupils are used well to provide effective quality assurance across all aspects of the independent school standards (the standards).

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The school has placed great thought into the material change request to increase the age range and capacity. They have well-established induction and transition plans in place to ensure that pupils accepted into the school can succeed. The proprietor has recently created a new classroom space within the building. This will be used for the younger children should the material change be implemented. This space is bright, airy and well suited for the leaders’ intentions.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that 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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Curriculum

The curriculum policy is appropriate. It reflects the ages, needs and starting points of the pupils that are included in the material change request.

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Curriculum

At the time of the last inspection in November 2023, Ofsted judged the quality of education to be good. During this inspection, it was noted that, in a small number of subjects, the planned learning was not implemented as effectively as it could be and the school should review pedagogic and adaptive practice.

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Curriculum

During this inspection, it could be seen that this has been addressed through the introduction of middle leaders. They have ensured that there is sufficient detail within the curriculum to support staff to tailor activities for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), or other barriers to learning. Leaders closely monitor the implementation of the curriculum.

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Curriculum

Leaders have redefined the reading curriculum and are utilising it well to ensure that pupils of all ages are supported to develop their use of phonics. There is a focus on early reading, numeracy and, more recently, developing pupils’ oracy skills, appropriate for the age range requested in the material change.

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Curriculum

The relationships and sex education curriculum is in place and ensures that pupils are given appropriate support to develop their understanding of relationships and sex education at an age-appropriate level. Abbeywood School, 12 May 2026 3

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Teaching

Leaders have established a clear plan for staff’s professional learning to ensure that teaching approaches will meet the needs of younger pupils within the requested age range. Staff are knowledgeable about teaching early reading. They understand the pupils and know their needs well. Staff use their knowledge to give care and support while not lowering their expectations that pupils will learn. The current implementation of the curriculum is effective and pupils learn well. This is likely to continue if younger pupils are admitted to the school.

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Assessment

Leaders have developed the school’s assessment systems to include the wider age range requested. The due diligence carried out prior to pupils joining the school enables leaders to quickly implement effective learning support. This is monitored carefully alongside the outcomes set in pupils’ education, health and care plans. These processes are intended to be continued and extended for the younger and increased number of pupils that leaders propose to admit to the school

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Assessment

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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pupils

Leaders have a thorough understanding of the range of needs of the pupils, across the primary and secondary age ranges that the school proposes to cater for.

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pupils

It is evident that the promotion of independence and helping the pupils to understand their emotions underpins all that happens at the school. The curriculum is suitably designed to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding for the full age range the school proposes to admit.

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pupils

The school utilises a holistic approach to structuring learning. They group pupils to learn together and also have individual learning sessions to ensure that they can react to individualised needs. Pupils are shown how to accept responsibility for their behaviours and respect others. Pupils are encouraged to recognise that they have a voice, and their actions can have impact, both positive and negative. Pupils are given support to develop their self-confidence through both academic success and therapeutic support.

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pupils

The school’s personal, social and health education lessons and enrichment curriculum are well suited to pupils across the proposed age range. Learning Abbeywood School, 12 May 2026 4 experiences are meaningful and age appropriate.

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pupils

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor has ensured that there are detailed clear policies in place to ensure that pupils are safe. These policies are well understood and utilised to ensure that the culture of safeguarding across the school is robust and secure. From the earliest involvement of the pupil in seeking a place in the school, there is a systematic approach to gaining information to support them to succeed.

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Safeguarding

The school has developed a team approach to managing the safeguarding of pupils. The pastoral leads work closely with attendance leads and family support workers. This ensures that any information from external agencies is quickly utilised to identify any risks or barriers to pupils’ learning. Staff use their knowledge and relationships with pupils to build trust. Where any concerns are raised, staff are swift to put in individualised support.

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Safeguarding

Record-keeping systems are well understood, detailed and informative. Staff received regular safeguarding training and are well informed about current concerns, both nationally and for individual pupils.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

Pupils’ prior experiences and barriers to learning are well understood here. There is a strong understanding of the impact of these experiences on pupils’ behaviour. Leaders have developed clear policies that reflect their understanding across the age ranges the school proposes to cater for should the material change request be agreed.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

Leaders use the curriculum, individualised support and therapeutic approaches to help pupils to focus on their learning and be successful. Issues are dealt with individually. Staff are well trained in looking for signs of distress. They build positive relationships with the pupils and know them well. Leaders have clear expectations and routines for the appropriate supervision of pupils, revised suitably to take into account the younger age group proposed to be admitted. Abbeywood School, 12 May 2026 5 The school keeps detailed records of any restrictive interventions, the actions taken and future steps to support pupils. Parents are immediately informed.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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Anti-bullying

The school has a clear anti-bullying policy in place. Leaders have ensured that this is understood and how this will be used if the school widens the age range of pupils. Pupils understand that bullying will not be tolerated and how they can report any concerns.

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Anti-bullying

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has ensured that the school is compliant with all relevant health and safety requirements. The range of health and safety policies are well understood and enacted.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The building is generally maintained well and the systematic approach to identifying any issues is well used by the school. However, at times some issues are not always addressed swiftly enough. For example, small issues with lighting and water temperatures were known about but had to be addressed during the inspection. The proprietor is also aware of areas of the school that will need refreshing in the near future, due to wear and tear, such as some areas of fencing. Plans are in place to address this. The school complies with the Regulator Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2025.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The school enacts their first-aid policy effectively. There are several staff with relevant first-aid training, and all resources are checked regularly.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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Admissions and attendance

The school’s admission register is carefully maintained. Systems to monitor pupils’ attendance are used effectively. The link between the individual needs of the pupils and the impact on their attendance is well understood. The school’s pastoral team work effectively to help pupils overcome barriers impacting on their attendance at school and the impact of this work can be seen. Abbeywood School, 12 May 2026 6 Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of the importance of promoting good attendance at school, especially for the younger pupils in the age range included in the material change request.

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Admissions and attendance

Part-time timetables are used appropriately to support transition into the school. They are carefully monitored. Where pupils attend alternative provisions for part of their education, the school ensures that adults from the school support them.

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Admissions and attendance

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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Risk assessment

The school has given careful thought to the needs of younger pupils and how they will be supported through the school, should the material change be agreed.

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Risk assessment

The risk assessment policy is detailed and suitable risk assessments are in place for a range of areas in the school, including primary classrooms. Risk assessments consider pupils’ special educational and/or disabilities needs. They have ensured that staff working with younger pupils are well trained and knowledgeable.

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Risk assessment

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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

The proprietor and leaders have secure understanding of safer recruitment. Systems to ensure the suitability of staff are administered diligently. Staff show a good awareness of the checks required for working with pupils under the age of 8 years.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record is in place and contains all required information. This is monitored by both school leaders and by the proprietary board.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request. Abbeywood School, 12 May 2026 7

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and showers

The proprietor has given careful consideration to how the building will be used if younger pupils are admitted. The toilet and washing facilities are suitable and drinking water is clearly labelled and readily available. Currently, key stage 2 and key stage 3 pupils use the same single sex toilet facilities. Leaders recognise that the age range of pupils using these areas will need to be adjusted if younger pupils are admitted to the school.

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and showers

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The medical room is well suited for the purpose and located near to pupil toilets. Resources are well organised and easily accessed.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school have carefully considered how they will use the classrooms, should younger pupils be admitted to the school. New classrooms are bright and airy. They are organised to ensure that the needs of the pupils with SEND can be supported.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The primary classrooms are situated on the first floor of the building. They have recently been developed and the area provides a welcoming learning environment. Classrooms benefit from appropriate lighting and acoustics.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request. Abbeywood School, 12 May 2026 8

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Outdoor space

The school has suitable outdoor space for pupils to take part in physical education and outdoor play. It is generally well maintained, however, in some places some panelling is decaying and will need replacing. The proprietors are aware of this, and these tasks are included on the maintenance schedule.

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Outdoor space

The space available and range of resources for outdoor and indoor play are well suited for the numbers or pupils and change of age range included in the material change request.

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Outdoor space

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to grant the material change request.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The proposed school’s accessibility plan is likely to be suitable in meeting schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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.

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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 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.

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About this inspection

During the inspection, inspectors spoke with representatives of the proprietor body, Witherslack Group PLC, as well as the headteacher and other senior leaders.

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About this inspection

Inspectors 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 ISS are met.

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About this inspection

At the time of this inspection, the school has 96 pupils on role aged 8 to 18 years. The material change application is to increase the admission number to 102 pupils and change the age range to 5 to 18 years. Abbeywood School, 12 May 2026 9 The school intends to continue to cater specifically for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, learning difficulties and neurodevelopmental needs, including autism.

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About this inspection

This is the third material change inspection the school has requested. The preceding material change inspection took place, as part of the school’s standard inspection, on 14 November 2023.

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About this inspection

The school currently uses 4 registered alternative providers.

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About this inspection

The school operates a second site at Kea Park, Hellaby Industrial Estate, Rotherham S66 8LB. This site is used mainly for older pupils and has a large vocational workshop space.

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About this school

Proprietor Witherslack Group Ltd Headteacher Mrs Sarah Douglas Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 96

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 8 to 18 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £66,540 to £98,586 Email address abbeywood@witherslackgroup.co.uk Abbeywood School, 12 May 2026 10 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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compulsory school age on roll

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