Newton Wood Barn School

Newton Wood Barn School, 9 June 2026 1 Newton Wood Barn School Rotherfield Park Estate, Four Marks, Alton, Hampshire GU34 3EW

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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 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 (the standards) first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the 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 is passionate about providing a nurturing, high-quality education for the pupils this school serves. The proprietor understands the requirements of the standards in full. The school has clear, robust systems in place to ensure that the standards continue to be met. This includes making use of external advisory services, where appropriate.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders demonstrate secure knowledge and skills appropriate to their roles. The proprietor has made sensible strategic decisions such as appointing a well-qualified Newton Wood Barn School, 9 June 2026 2 and experienced headteacher to lead the school as it grows. This will free up the proprietor to focus on oversight and governance.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

There is a clear rationale for the proposed material change request. The proposed increase in pupil numbers will meet a local area need for additional special school places serving pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has carefully considered the impact of the proposed material change on the staff and pupils in the school. Due to the specific vulnerabilities of the pupils, the proprietor is determined to keep the school small. The proprietor also recognises the importance of ensuring that any new pupils fit in well with the existing pupil population.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has made sure that the school’s accommodation and facilities are at least sufficient to support the proposed increase in pupil numbers.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

School leaders have appropriate plans in place to ensure that increasing pupil numbers will not impact negatively on staff workload and well-being. The proprietor intends to continue to expand staff capacity and expertise to maintain current staff/pupil ratios. The recruitment process has already begun in anticipation of the material change request being approved.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders have taken appropriate steps to actively promote the wellbeing of the pupils. Designated safeguarding leaders work closely with staff to ensure a strong culture of vigilance that keeps pupils safe. In addition, leaders have introduced a nurture class to support the social and emotional needs of the pupils as they transition into the school.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

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Safeguarding

The school has a positive safeguarding culture. A carefully designed programme of regular training ensures that staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities well. The designated safeguarding lead routinely checks staff’s safeguarding knowledge. This keeps safeguarding high on the school’s agenda.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding leaders prioritise the welfare, health and safety of pupils and staff. The school has secure systems in place to record and escalate safeguarding concerns. Staff know how to recognise when pupils may be at risk of harm. They Newton Wood Barn School, 9 June 2026 3 understand how to refer any concerns they may have and how to assure themselves that appropriate action has been taken.

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Safeguarding

The school’s safeguarding and safer recruitment policies are up to date and comply with current statutory guidance.

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Health and safety and fire

Leaders have written a comprehensive health and safety policy. This is available on the school website. It ensures that the school complies with relevant health and safety laws. Regular health and safety checks ensure that the building and facilities are well maintained and fit for purpose.

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Health and safety and fire

The proprietor keeps a close oversight on health and safety through monthly meetings. It also ensures that all staff receive rigorous health and safety training as part of the staff induction programme.

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Health and safety and fire

The school complies fully with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The site displays clear fire signage. This includes signs to show the locations of fire exits, evacuation routes and fire assembly points. Leaders ensure that fire equipment is checked regularly. These checks are recorded in detail. In addition, records show that all fire equipment is inspected as required.

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Supervision and risk assessment

Leaders ensure high levels of supervision. Pupils are supervised appropriately throughout the school day, including when they are moving around the buildings and when they are using the school grounds. Leaders have taken appropriate steps to ensure that staff understand their responsibilities for pupil supervision. This includes setting out clear staff-to-pupil ratios and making clear expectations for breaktime supervision duties.

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Supervision and risk assessment

The proprietor has employed well-qualified staff who take good care of pupils. Leaders have thought through their future staffing requirements carefully. The school has appropriate plans to employ sufficient additional staff to keep supervision levels high when pupil numbers increase.

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Supervision and risk assessment

Leaders have produced a wide range of appropriate written risk assessments. These are underpinned by an effective risk assessment policy. Leaders understand the principles of effective risk assessment well. They know how to apply these principles to identify possible risks to pupil and staff safety. Risk assessments show that leaders take appropriate action to mitigate identified risks.

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Supervision and risk assessment

The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved. Newton Wood Barn School, 9 June 2026 4

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

The school’s safer recruitment policy provides detailed information on safer recruitment process and sets out clear roles and responsibilities. This includes using a suitably qualified human resources professional to support the school’s work in this area.

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

The proprietor ensures that the school carries out all appropriate recruitment checks on adults who work with pupils in the school. This ensures that adults are safe to work with children.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The school maintains an appropriate single central record of the recruitment checks. This record contains all the necessary evidence of the different checks the school has completed.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

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

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showers

The school has suitable toilet facilities with hot and cold running water in all buildings. These are all lockable from the inside and only for use by one person at a time. The temperature of the hot water is regulated appropriately. It does not pose a scalding risk.

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showers

Drinking water is provided from clearly marked sinks and from free-standing water coolers. These are separate from toilet facilities as required. Leaders also provide bottled water for pupils to drink.

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showers

The school has suitable changing accommodation and a shower for pupils to use if needed.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils' therapy needs

The school has a well-furnished and well-equipped medical room. It has access to changing facilities, drinking water, a toilet and a shower. This room provides a Newton Wood Barn School, 9 June 2026 5 comfortable space for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils. All staff have appropriate first aid training.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school is set in an idyllic rural environment. The proprietor has ensured that the school buildings are maintained to a high standard. The accommodation is very well decorated and furnished appropriately to meet the needs of pupils.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school consists of several buildings. The main classroom area has 4 classrooms and a kitchen/breakout space set around a courtyard. A separate building houses an additional breakout space plus classrooms for specialist activities. These include a podcast room, meeting room, design technology room and food technology kitchen. These spaces are well-resourced and fit for purpose. The accommodation provides ample space for 16 pupils.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Leaders have established effective systems to check the accommodation regularly for wear and tear. Suitably qualified contractors and staff are readily available to carry out any necessary repairs so that the school buildings continue to be well maintained.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The classrooms and other indoor spaces are bright and airy. They have suitable lighting. Leaders have ensured that the acoustic conditions are appropriate and suitable for the additional needs of the pupils.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

There is ample external lighting around the school site to ensure the safety of pupils and staff when it is dark.

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Outdoor space

The school has suitable outdoor space for pupils to play or to sit and talk quietly with their friends. Well-maintained picnic benches provide comfortable places to sit.

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Outdoor space

The school has access to a woodland area where pupils can take part in outdoor learning activities and learn woodland crafts. Pupils benefit well from weekly sessions in this area led by expert instructors.

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Outdoor space

The school grounds have ample space for physical education. Leaders also make use of a local leisure centre to provide swimming lessons and other organised sports sessions for pupils.

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Outdoor space

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved. Newton Wood Barn School, 9 June 2026 6

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The school's accessibility plan

The proprietor has ensured that the school complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. There is a suitable accessibility plan for the school.

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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 members of the proprietor body including the chair of proprietors, the incoming headteacher, the chair of the governing body and other school leaders during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

This is a special school. It caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and/or autism. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. Their places are commissioned by the local authority.

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About this inspection

The school does not currently use any alternative provision.

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body

Headteacher Alice Anstee Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 10

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 8 to 13 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £72,000 Email address enquiries@newtonwoodbarnschool.co.uk Newton Wood Barn School, 9 June 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

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

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