Templecroft School

Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 1 Templecroft School Templars Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 1PY

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report:

Overall outcome The school is unlikely to meet all the independent school standards if it is registered

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report:

The purpose of this inspection was to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the proposed school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards and associated requirements that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out pre-registration inspections of proposed independent schools, we report on the provider’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

Since the last 2 pre-registration inspections, the proprietor and school leaders have now addressed several aspects of the independent school standards (ISS) that were then deemed not likely to be met if registered. However, they have still not ensured that the design of the curriculum is sufficiently well-matched to meet the needs of the pupils they intend to cater for.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor still aims to have a governing body to oversee the school and to use external professionals to quality assure this provision. However, oversight at present still rests within the company itself. The proprietor has made some informal links with educational experts to advise them in the interim. However, there is still not sufficient breadth of educational expertise at a governance level. Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 2 There have been some recent improvements in how policies and procedures are kept up to date and checks actioned, including for health and safety. However, this oversight is still not routinely robust enough.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has therefore not ensured that all standards in this part would likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

Leaders have reviewed their curriculum offer following both previous pre- registration inspections. They have amended the scope of some subjects to match the resources they physically have access to in school. For example, they have considered what aspects of physical education, science and art could be realistically offered on site.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

However, the curriculum is still not designed well enough to meet the needs and aptitudes of pupils the school intends to teach. This is especially the case for pupils who are highly likely to arrive at this school with significant gaps in knowledge. Leaders have only a very broad overview of what provision for these pupils may look like. For pupils working at a level pre-key stage 3, the curriculum lacks detail and clarity as to how knowledge will build in the likely time pupils will be here for. Nor is it clear what order knowledge will be taught in. Leaders have selected a phonics programme to support pupils who need to catch up in reading. However, staff have not had specific training on how to teach this. The materials to teach this key intervention are not yet in school.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

The school has employed a qualified teacher with the required subject knowledge to teach most aspects of the curriculum well. However, there are some subjects, like mathematics, which will likely require specialist staff to support pupils. Leaders have some broad proposals about how this may be addressed, such as using staff from other schools in the group. However, plans are vague regarding how this will work or how sustainable this will be. The school has not yet started to recruit the 2 additional support staff needed to support the delivery of the bespoke curriculum which leaders say they intend to offer. Without these staff in place before pupils start at the school, it will not be feasible to adapt provision as intended.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

In addition, the planned key stage 3 curriculum content regarding text types and topics is not suitable for the needs and backgrounds of the pupils. At key stage 4, the curriculum expectations are lower than those at key stage 3. Even when taken in isolation, the proposed key stage 4 offer is an assessment pathway for functional skills, not a curriculum in its own right. Therefore, it lacks ambition or breadth. Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 3 Leaders intend to offer pupils project-based learning in addition to English and mathematics. However, how these projects build on prior learning is not clear. Many will be linked to gaining a qualification or linked to pupils’ interests as opposed to being part of a coherent curriculum offer across their time at this school.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

There is a suitable process for how pupils will be supported with their induction into the school, by both the teaching team and clinical staff. The on-entry assessment programme uses the pupil’s education, health and care (EHC) plan and personal education plan, previous school records and school staff assessment of pupils to ascertain their current academic abilities and their emotional readiness for learning. There are then planned review points to assess pupils’ progress against their EHC plan targets.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

Leaders have considered how pupils will be taught key statutory knowledge for relationships and sex education. The school has a clinical team and counsellors in place to cover this content sensitively to meet pupils’ needs and their individual circumstances.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

The school has appropriate plans for a suitable careers education. The school plans to provide pupils with sufficient opportunities to access careers guidance at regular intervals through use of an external company. Due thought has been given to develop work experience in the locality with a local charity shop, farms and trades.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

The proprietor has not ensured that all standards in this part would likely to be met if the school is registered.

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pupils

The school has given priority to the personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education for the pupils. There is a dedicated clinical team to support pupils in school with their social and emotional needs so that they can be ready to learn.

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pupils

Pupils will have regular access to a school counsellor and professionals with relevant training in supporting mental health. The proprietor is able to offer pupils access to art and play therapy, for example.

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pupils

The school has ensured that the PSHE curriculum will teach pupils about respect and lawful behaviour. Due to the backgrounds and experiences of its pupils, the school intends to teach the PSHE curriculum on an individualised basis. It is not shying away from tackling some sensitive topics with pupils. Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 4 The PSHE curriculum will also teach pupils about key values that support living harmoniously with others in modern Britian. Leaders have outlined how the curriculum and assemblies will be focused on topics and values that ensure pupils are ready for life in a diverse world.

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pupils

The proprietor has ensured that the school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Safeguarding

The school demonstrates an up-to-date understanding of its safeguarding and child protection responsibilities. Leaders are aware of the local and contextual safeguarding risks their pupils face. These risks are mitigated through the curriculum and also through interventions with the clinical team. Leaders have ensured that pupils will be taught about online safety as this is a key risk. However, due to their needs and vulnerability, pupils will only have supervised or limited access to the internet on site. The school has a clear policy on no mobile phones. There is an adequate system for filtering and monitoring of internet use. Leaders are clear on how to report safeguarding concerns and how to refer to the relevant agencies. Leaders also know the correct whistleblowing processes, including how to contact the local authority designated officer if needed.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

Since the last pre-registration inspection, the school has ensured that its written behaviour policy now clearly outlines the behaviour expectations and consequences. These now follow a tiered approach so that, if registered, staff would know when to escalate concerns and how. Pupils with more challenging behaviours will have access to targeted support through behaviour support plans overseen by the clinical team. The current staff employed have had training in de- escalation strategies and a positive behaviour management approach.

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Anti-bullying

Likewise, the anti-bullying policy has also been strengthened since the last pre- registration inspection. Procedures to address bullying are clear. Leaders have appropriate recording and monitoring systems should bullying arise. Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 5

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

At the last pre-registration inspection, there were concerns over the robustness of aspects of the health and safety policy and the first aid policy. These have now been addressed. The school has recently improved how it carries out its routine health and safety checks, for example, so these are now happening consistently. The first aid policy now details how serious accidents or injuries will be reported. There are sufficient staff who are first-aid trained.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The school ensures that it carries out an annual fire risk assessment. There were no significant findings from this. Recommendations from this report are being dealt with appropriately. The school is now logging fire drills systematically, for example.

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Admissions and attendance

The school has responded to the standards likely not to be met from the last pre- registration. It now has an electronic admissions and attendance register that is compliant to statutory guidance. It is following the latest guidance on how to code pupils’ absence and attendance.

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Risk assessment

The school’s approach to risk assessment remains suitable. The processes and systems outlined in its policy are backed up in practice. There are appropriate risk assessment processes in place for the building, for specific activities and at an individual pupil level. Leaders know the latest statutory guidance relating to the use of restrictive interventions in school and how to record and report such incidents should they arise.

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Risk assessment

Therefore, the proprietor has ensured that the school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if registered.

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

Leaders know how to ensure appropriate vetting checks take place on staff. These are carried out in line with the latest statutory guidance. Appropriate checks are carried out on the proprietor and any clinical staff working with the school. The school does not use supply staff but knows the relevant procedures should this be the case. Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 6

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

This is compliant with latest statutory guidance. This includes checks on the proprietor.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has ensured that the school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if registered.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

The proprietor has continued to ensure that the school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if registered. The building is modern, well-maintained and fit for purpose. There is sufficient room for the number of pupils and staff intended. It has been furnished to offer a classroom feel downstairs and a more relaxed seating and dining area upstairs. This has been done deliberately to support pupils feel comfortable in a school setting. There is a small kitchen area for pupils to use for cooking when supervised. The rooms are well-lit and have appropriate resources to meet the provision intended. The site is secure. Pupils have access to appropriate toilet and washing facilities within the school building itself. There is a suitable space for break-out areas for pupils. The outside space is ample for allowing pupils to play outside and for the physical education lessons planned.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The school does not currently have a live website. However, there is an unpublished website which contains all the necessary information and policies to mean this standard would likely to be met if registered. These policies are also available in paper form.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Parents and carers will be suitably informed of how their children are achieving in school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has ensured that the school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if registered.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The school’s complaints policy sets out the stages of the complaint, timescales and how the complaint is recorded. If a complaint had to go to a panel hearing, the policy is clear as to the composition of this panel, including having one member who is independent of the management and running of the school.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

As the school has not opened, there have been no complaints. However, the school does have system where any complaints will be recorded. Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 7 The proprietor has therefore ensured that all standards in this part would likely to be met if the school is registered.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has considered how it will make reasonable adjustments to support pupils with specific needs and/or disabilities to access the building and learning. While it is not intended for pupils to attend who need wheelchair access, there is space for first aid on a ground floor and toilet access. Consideration has been given to ramps, for example. There is ample room for disabled parking. Consideration has also been given to how clinical support will be offered to pupils to help them be ready to access their learning.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, 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

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

Inspectors spoke with the proprietor chair, the director of education, the head of clinical services and the head of provision for the proposed school during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The proprietor is Resicare Alliance Limited, which operates 3 strands: children’s homes, clinical services and education. Within the education strand, there are 3 independent special schools. The proprietor has 3 directors, one of which is the chair of the proprietor body.

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About this inspection

The proprietor seeks registration for the school with the Department for Education (DfE) as an independent special school. The proprietor plans for the school to cater for pupils with a range of needs, including cognition and learning needs; speech, language and communication needs; autism; and social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils will have an EHC plan.

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About this inspection

The proprietor plans for local authorities to commission school placements for up to 6 pupils who will live in the linked children’s home that shares the same site as the school and also owned by the proprietor. The proprietor intends for pupils to attend the school for around 2 years. After this period, the aim is for them to Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 8 move on to another setting, typically a mainstream school or a special school, depending on their needs.

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About this inspection

The proposed school will not have a religious denomination.

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About this inspection

The proprietor does not intend to use alternative provision.

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About this inspection

This is the school’s third pre-registration inspection. The first pre-registration inspection was in August 2025. The second took place in January 2026.

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body

Resicare Alliance Limited Nathan Schreiber Headteacher Chris Brown Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 6

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authority

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 11–16 Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: Mixed

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per week

Provider’s proposal: 32.5 hours Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 9

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teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 0 Annual fees for day pupils £55,000 Email address cbrown@resicarealliance.co.uk

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills; – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; and  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(b) fosters in pupils self-motivation, the application of intellectual, physical and creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 10

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and Templecroft School, 10 June 2026 11 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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