The Limes School

The Limes School, 13 May 2026 1 The Limes School 73A Taunton Road, Ashton under Lyne, Gtr Manchester, Preston, Lancashire OL7 9DU

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Overall outcome

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 add a new premises and change the maximum number of pupils attending.

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Overall outcome

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 proprietor and other leaders have the knowledge and expertise that they need to fulfil their responsibilities well. The proprietor has arrangements in place to ensure compliance with the standards now, as well as over time. Leaders understand the requirements of the standards and make regular and accurate checks on compliance. These arrangements are systematic and sustained.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor and other leaders have the relevant background and expertise to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders show an acute awareness of the types of needs that pupils may have when they join the The Limes School, 13 May 2026 2 school. Leaders consistently take decisive action to make sure that pupils are safe and their wellbeing is fully supported.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Safeguarding

There is a suitable safeguarding policy in place that reflects the most recent statutory guidance. The policy is made available to those with parental responsibility when pupils join the school. The policy contains detailed information about how to identify, report and record concerns. Information about the designated safeguarding lead and whistleblowing procedures is available within the policy. In addition, there is information regarding general safeguarding systems and procedures in the school. All staff receive ongoing and suitable safeguarding training. Staff involved in leading safeguarding receive additional training to make sure that there is a strong culture of safeguarding across the school. The company has introduced well-considered safeguarding processes that individual schools adapt to their context. Leaders have thought carefully about how these safeguarding systems will operate within the existing site, at the

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Safeguarding

proposed site and with an increase in pupil numbers.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The health and safety policy reflects leaders’ high expectations for creating a safe environment for pupils. The school has systems in place to make sure that each site is fit for purpose. Internal and external regular maintenance checks take place to ensure that the sites remain a safe place for pupils to learn. Leaders act swiftly to address any defects that may arise.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor uses a competent external professional to advise them about all aspects of fire safety. This includes servicing fire-fighting equipment at the required intervals. Trained staff carry out regular fire-safety checks. Staff record these checks systematically. Leaders act on these checks where necessary. Regular fire drills take place with any points for action noted and completed. The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor takes care to recruit staff with the appropriate qualifications and experience. As a result, staff have secure knowledge of the types of needs that pupils may have who attend the school. This helps staff to understand how to supervise pupils safely while supporting their wellbeing and promoting their The Limes School, 13 May 2026 3 independence. The proposed number of staff is suitable for ensuring that the increased number of pupils will be supervised appropriately.

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Risk assessment

The school’s risk assessment policy sets out how staff will identify and mitigate risks. Leaders check carefully that these systems are implemented consistently. All pupils have an individual risk assessment. There are also suitable risk assessments in place for other aspects of the provision. Risk assessments show precise consideration of the needs and vulnerabilities of pupils who attend the school. Leaders review and update risk assessments regularly to make sure they are fit for purpose.

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Risk assessment

The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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

The proprietor makes the required safeguarding checks on new staff. The proprietor has a secure understanding of the requirements set out in statutory guidance and seeks the necessary assurances that recruitment checks have been completed. The appropriate recruitment checks are made on the members of the proprietor body. The school knows how to make checks on any staff who have spent time overseas in line with government guidance. These checks have not yet been necessary. The school does not make use of temporary or agency staff.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

Safeguarding checks made on new staff during recruitment are recorded accurately on the single central record (SCR). The proprietor has systems in place to check the SCR for accuracy at regular intervals. Records relating to the proprietor are included on the SCR, as well as those relating to suitability for leadership and management.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved. The Limes School, 13 May 2026 4

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and showers

The school has an appropriate number of toilets and washing facilities available at each site and for the increased number of pupils if the material change is approved. Pupil toilets are for individual use and are lockable from the inside. Water is set at a safe temperature and is clearly marked for hand washing. Drinking water is available for pupils during the school day and is clearly labelled.

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and showers

At the two sites, there are suitable facilities for physical education. At both sites, there are individual showers that can be used for changing if necessary.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

There is a suitable medical room at each site that is appropriate for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The medical rooms contain a sink and are situated near a toilet. The rooms contain a bed and first-aid kit. There is appropriate storage for medication and first-aid kits. Staff check medication and first-aid kits regularly. These checks are recorded appropriately.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The existing site and proposed site have been maintained to a high standard to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The proprietor has carefully designed aspects of the building with pupils’ needs in mind. For example, there are indoor and outdoor spaces for pupils to manage their wellbeing and emotional regulation.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Lighting throughout the two sites contribute to a bright and pleasant environment for pupils to learn. Classroom acoustics help pupils and teachers to focus on learning. Alongside this, there is external lighting at all sites that covers the exits.

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Outdoor space

There is a suitable outdoor space for recreation and physical education at each site. Both spaces are well maintained. There are the appropriate risk assessments in place and pupils will be supervised by school staff. The Limes School, 13 May 2026 5

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has a suitable accessibility plan in place that is reviewed at regular intervals.

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About this inspection

The inspector carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspector 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 (HMI) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the chair of the proprietor body, the deputy director of education and the headteacher at both sites.

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About this inspection

The inspector 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 independent school standards are met.

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About this inspection

This is the first material change inspection in respect to an increase in pupil numbers and adding an additional premises.

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About this inspection

The school operates from premises at 73A Taunton Road, Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire OL7 9DU. The additional premises is located at 47 Smethurst Street, Middleton, Manchester M24 2BA.

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About this school

Proprietor Hexagon Care Services Headteacher Elise Bamford Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 6

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compulsory school age on roll

The Limes School, 13 May 2026 6 Age range of pupils 11 to 18 Gender of pupils Boys Annual fees for day pupils £42,000 Email address limes.headteacher@hexagoncare.com The Limes School, 13 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

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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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