Hambling View Independent School

Hambling View Independent School, 13 May 2026 1 Hambling View Independent School Lime Yard, Claverton Down Road, Bath BA2 7AE

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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 is 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 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

The school is based in a 3-storey building. It is located in between residential houses on a main road outside Bath. It admits pupils with a range of complex special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including those with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. There is no change to the age range, the needs of the pupils that the school intends to admit or the curriculum that the pupils will receive. Hambling View Independent School, 13 May 2026 2 The school proposes to increase the number of pupils to 20. The recommended maximum number of pupils is 18. There is enough space in current classrooms for 18 pupils. No change to the day-to-day use of other flexible workspaces, for example for learning support and therapies, is necessary for 18 pupils. The proprietor does not intend to alter the use of flexible working spaces should the

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that the school has met the standards in full at the school’s previous Ofsted inspection in February 2026. It has also recently opened another school in Bristol. The proprietor has demonstrated a detailed understanding of the standards in full.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor holds the school to account robustly for its performance. The proprietor has employed staff with detailed knowledge of teaching and managing the support for pupils with SEND. There is a comprehensive programme of monitoring and evaluation, for example checking the safeguarding arrangements, evaluating the impact of leadership and management and testing the school’s capacity to meet the independent school standards continually and consistently. Frequent checks on site by the chief operating officer help leaders maintain the site well and comply with health and safety requirements effectively. Regular visits to the school to review pupils’ pastoral and academic provision give the proprietor an accurate understanding of how well the school is operating.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

School leaders demonstrate high levels of educational knowledge. They provide ongoing training and support so that staff have the detailed subject knowledge they need to deliver the curriculum, teaching and therapies effectively. The proprietor ensures that all policies are up to date and published on the school’s website, and staff understand and follow them.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

School leaders have a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the independent school standards.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

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Safeguarding and supervision of pupils

The actions taken by leaders to implement and ensure the arrangements for safeguarding remain effective. There is clear oversight of all aspects of safeguarding and pupil welfare. Staff know, understand and carry out their safeguarding responsibilities carefully. Pupils know how to access support if they are worried or concerned. Hambling View Independent School, 13 May 2026 3 Leaders deliver frequent, relevant safeguarding training. Leaders maintain detailed safeguarding records. If pupils face being at risk of harm, leaders take timely action to work with external agencies and minimise any further risks for pupils. There is a comprehensive safeguarding curriculum in place that covers all the necessary content.

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Safeguarding and supervision of pupils

The school publishes its safeguarding policy on the school’s website.

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Safeguarding and supervision of pupils

The school has ensured that its mandatory duties regarding the use of force, restraint and seclusion are in place. For example, staff have received appropriate training and there are robust systems in place to both record any incidents and analyse trends over time.

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Safeguarding and supervision of pupils

The deployment of staff and supervision of pupils already attending the school are effective. Current staff receive a detailed programme of induction and training to ensure that they know how to support pupils well. The proprietor intends to follow the same programmes for any new staff they appoint. The proprietor intends to increase numbers steadily to ensure the dynamics of the school do not change. Plans are in place to appoint 2 new support staff and increase part-time staff contracts to full-time. This is adequate to maintain effective supervision.

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Safeguarding and supervision of pupils

The school has a well-established induction programme for pupils. It intends to apply the same approach for any new pupils. This considers pupils’ academic, social and emotional needs, and the view of pupils, parents and carers. The school works closely with local authority commissioning bodies to ensure that the school can meet pupils’ needs as set out in their EHC plans.

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Health and safety, fire and first and risk assessment

There is a detailed programme of health and safety checks in place. This ensures that the school buildings are kept in good order and suitable for school use.

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Health and safety, fire and first and risk assessment

The school carries out the necessary fire safety checks, such as testing fire alarms and checking that the fire call points and fire doors are well maintained. Leaders conduct fire drills regularly. Fire wardens have relevant training. There is an external fire risk assessment in place. This is also updated annually by a competent person. The proprietor intends to commission a new external fire risk assessment prior to accepting more pupils should the DfE agree the material change.

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Health and safety, fire and first and risk assessment

There is a suitable risk assessment policy. There are detailed risk assessments in place. These are site specific, for example for the front forecourt, the forest school and the field that the school uses for recreational purposes. These include details of how the school will mitigate any associated risks, such as navigating public pathways and the road. Hambling View Independent School, 13 May 2026 4 The school keeps educational risk assessments up to date and tailors them precisely to each context. For example, risk assessments of visits consider necessary adaptations for pupils with SEND.

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Health and safety, fire and first and risk assessment

All pupils have individual risk assessments. The school updates these in line with its behaviour policy and pupils’ EHC plans effectively. It intends to use the same approach to risk assessment going forwards. These systems work well for current pupils.

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Health and safety, fire and first and risk assessment

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

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record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has ensured that staff involved in the recruitment of staff are highly knowledgeable in safer recruitment practices and follow them effectively. For example, they ensure that all the required checks are in place prior to appointing staff and volunteers. Detailed procedures are in place when appointing supply staff and followed appropriately.

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record of these recruitment checks

The school does not currently use alternative provision. However, it understands the requirement to obtain written confirmation that the required safeguarding checks have been carried out on all staff working at the alternative provision should they use one in the future.

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record of these recruitment checks

The school maintains an up-to-date single central record. The proprietor has oversight of the pre-employment checks through regular visits from central staff such as the chief operating officer. The proprietor also commissions external reviews to review safer recruitment processes and safeguarding practices. The internal and external monitoring of safer recruitment practices ensure that the single central record remains up to date and in line with current legislation.

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record of these recruitment checks

The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented. Hambling View Independent School, 13 May 2026 5

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needs

There is a suitable toilet for pupils. There is a separate toilet for staff. Toilets have adequate washing facilities. Drinking water is labelled sufficiently. Pupils access physical education off site. There are suitable changing facilities for pupils to use at these venues.

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needs

There is a suitable medical room in use for current pupils. This will continue to be in place for pupils should the material change be approved. It includes a bed and washing facilities, and there is a toilet close by.

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conditions and outdoor space

The proprietor prioritises health and safety compliance. It ensures that staff conducting checks have appropriate knowledge and skills. The proprietor monitors precisely the health and safety checks, including the regular testing of water supplies for legionella bacteria, external lighting and fire equipment. This ensures that the buildings and outside areas are kept in good order.

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conditions and outdoor space

Classrooms, the kitchen area and flexible working spaces such as the learning support room are well lit and have suitable acoustic conditions. Windows are double glazed and in good order. Emergency lighting operates throughout the site. External lighting is adequate.

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conditions and outdoor space

The school has enough space to accommodate 18 pupils in 3 classrooms. There are 3 additional classroom spaces used for learning support, specialist curriculum provision and therapy provision. Using these spaces as additional full-time classrooms would alter the provision that is on offer for current pupils. Current provision for pupils is working well. The proprietor does not intend to change the use of flexible working spaces in the school. All classrooms are in good order.

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conditions and outdoor space

The forecourt at the front of the school is sectioned off for the safe entry and egress of school transport. There are 2 small areas in use for recreation. These include seating for pupils. The third smaller area at the back of the school is blocked off, so pupils do not have access to this.

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conditions and outdoor space

The school uses a field opposite the school for recreation at social times. Pupils cross a busy road to access this space, which is rented to the school. Staff comply with the school’s risk assessment for this outdoor space. For example, there are Hambling View Independent School, 13 May 2026 6 always 2 members of staff supervising the crossing of the road and recreational activities. The risk assessment for the outdoor areas is detailed and regularly updated.

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conditions and outdoor space

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

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has an accessibility plan. It complies with 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. 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

The inspector spoke with the headteacher, staff, the proprietor, and the chair of governors. She also had a telephone conversation a representative from BANES local authority.

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About this inspection

The name of the proprietor is MIAG Independent Schools Ltd.

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About this inspection

The fees currently charged are £70,000.00

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About this inspection

The school’s email address is: info@hamblingview.org

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

The school admits pupils with a range of complex special educational needs and/or disabilities, including those with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs.

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About this inspection

School places are commissioned from 3 local authorities.

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About this inspection

The school does not currently use any alternative provision. Hambling View Independent School, 13 May 2026 7 The school operates from the following address: Lime Yard, Claverton Down Road, Bath, BA2 7AE

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Lead inspector

Julie Carrington His Majesty’s Inspector

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About this school

Proprietor MIAG Independent Schools Ltd Headteacher Elizabeth Rowlinson Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 14

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £70,000 Email address info@hamblingview.org Hambling View Independent School, 13 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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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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