Anstey Manor School

Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 1 Anstey Manor School Anstey Lane, Alton, GU34 2NG

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely 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

The proprietor body has experience of opening and running 22 schools across the south of England. Its experience ensures that it has the necessary expertise. Leaders demonstrates a consistently secure and appropriate understanding of the requirements for providing effective education for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and for meeting the independent school standards (the standards). The intended school is proposing to increase the number of pupils admitted over time, starting with pupils in key stage 2 and key stage 3. Initially, they are planning to admit 30 pupils in September 2026. The school will extend to its proposed capacity of 60.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

In consultation with the local authority, the proprietor has identified a clear rationale for the proposed specialist SEND provision in the area. They have already agreed with the local authority initial provision for 30 pupils, subject to registration. Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 2 The proprietor’s plan for the proposed school has been thoroughly considered. Systems for governance and oversight for the school have already been established. The proposed school will be part of an established cluster of schools overseen by an experienced leader. As such, assurance systems are already in place, and these have been used to ensure the school is prepared to meet the standards.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Proprietorial oversight will be supported by established ‘Local Governance Boards’, consisting of experienced individuals with appropriate expertise in education and leadership. Regular quality assurance cycles will be used to check that the school is working towards improvement priorities. These will provide a close oversight of pupils’ outcomes, including attendance and conduct, ensuring that the school leaders are held accountable for acting in the best interests of pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has established systems in place to monitor safeguarding, performance data and health and safety compliance, both remotely and through assurance visits. These online systems have already been implemented within the school to assure the proprietor that the proposed school is likely to meet its statutory obligations regarding health and safety including fire safety requirements.

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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 school is registered.

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Curriculum

Leaders have a well-considered curriculum policy in place for the proposed school. This outlines a suitably broad and ambitious curriculum that has been designed to meet the anticipated needs of potential pupils. As well as academic considerations, leaders have developed the curriculum to ensure pupils’ social development is prioritised. The proposed curriculum sequences learning carefully to develop pupils’ prior experience and allow them to work towards suitable pathways leading to key stage 4 qualifications including GCSE and functional skills qualifications.

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Curriculum

The curriculum prioritises pupils securing essential English, mathematics and science skills that will enable them to successfully access their chosen post-16 options. Leaders have rightly prioritised targeted support in these areas and have purchased phonics and mathematics programmes to support pupils to address any gaps in prior learning. The proposed school intend to use expertise from across the proprietor body to ensure newly appointed staff receive the training to identify and address gaps in pupils’ understanding. Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 3 The curriculum is holistically planned and integrates personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education alongside relationships and sex education and health education. Leaders have ensured this provision is age appropriate and intend to ensure it is adapted for pupils’ social, emotional and mental health needs. Careers will be interwoven within the PSHE curriculum as well as separate independent

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Curriculum

careers guidance. It is leaders’ intentions that this holistic approach will provide pupils with the necessary personal, social and emotional skills that will prepare them for their next steps.

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Teaching

The school intends to teach pupils in classes that reflect their stage, not age. To ensure that the statutory entitlements to educational support in pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans can be fulfilled, leaders will provide high-quality teaching and specific interventions. Pupils will, typically, learn in groups which consist of one qualified teacher and one teaching assistant to six pupils. These teams of academic staff will be supported on site by specialist support, such as speech and language therapy to provide expert therapeutic support.

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Assessment

Leaders have in place a thorough ‘assessment and admissions’ process to ensure that the needs of pupils are identified quickly upon arrival and that these needs and starting points are thoroughly understood by teachers. Leaders have appointed a qualified leader for SEND, who is already working with leaders to support this process. A cycle of regular assessment is intended to check how well pupils are making progress towards their curriculum targets and those set out in their EHC plans.

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Assessment

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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pupils

To promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, the proposed school has identified opportunities to build social skills across the curriculum, therapeutic interventions and enrichment experiences, such as visiting theatre and public events. In addition, leaders plan to support pupils’ spiritual development through outdoor learning including planned forest school activities and horticulture.

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pupils

The curriculum will promote British values and regard for the protected characteristics in a way that is intended to be meaningful to pupils, for example, Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 4 through having a school council to support pupils to learn about representation and voting. Leaders plan to develop pupils’ understanding of right and wrong using the school rules. These experiences will be built on using the PSHE curriculum. This will include pupils learning about the law, criminal age of responsibility and the consequence of our actions.

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pupils

In order to prepare for adulthood, leaders have planned opportunities for pupils to learn about the public institutions that can help them. For example, pupils will learn about how to manage medication and seek support from local services such as their general practitioner.

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pupils

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Safeguarding

The proposed school’s safeguarding and child protection policy is comprehensive and meets statutory requirements. It has been published on the school’s website. The policy outlines the proposed school’s robust procedures to identify, report and record concerns about pupils’ welfare.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor has ensured staff have received the relevant safeguarding training, including on their statutory duties and the school’s contextual needs. Those responsible for leading safeguarding have the additional training that they need to check that the culture of safeguarding helps to protect pupils from harm.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor’s and governors’ systems for oversight are robust. These established systems of oversight will provide regular review of safeguarding practices and procedures to ensure pupils’ safety and welfare are prioritised.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The proposed school has a clear and reasoned positive behaviour policy in place. It sets out consistent expectations of how staff should support pupils to manage their behaviour. The policy identifies an appropriate balance of rewards and consequences. All staff will be trained so that they feel confident using de- escalation processes and ensure that restrictive physical intervention is absolutely a last resort.

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Anti-bullying

The anti-bullying policy clearly outlines the steps the school will take to manage any bullying incidents including online. Any incidents will be recorded centrally including actions taken and resolutions. The policy also clearly outlines protocol for Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 5 communications with parents. Leaders including governors will monitor incidents to identify learning points.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proposed school has an appropriate health and safety policy that is implemented consistently and effectively. Leaders ensure that suitable checks, including audits, are carried out regularly. Any recommendations arising from these checks are addressed promptly.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has ensured that arrangements for fire safety are comprehensive and well managed. An external fire risk assessment has been completed, with recommendations from the contractor which leaders have taken swift action to address. Weekly checks on fire alarms, fire doors and emergency lighting ensure continued compliance with fire safety regulations. These procedures will ensure a safe environment for all pupils and staff.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

Leaders have developed a thorough first aid policy which has been published to its website. Leaders intend to provide staff with first aid training on induction. Across the site, leaders have ensured that first-aid kits are readily available including specialist kits in the school’s medical room such as for burns.

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Admissions and attendance

The proprietor has prepared a comprehensive ‘assessment and admissions’ policy which has been shared on the school’s website. Leaders plan to use an appropriate electronic pupil data management system to maintain its admissions and attendance registers.

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Admissions and attendance

The school’s attendance policy clearly outlines the procedures for recording attendance which adheres to current statutory guidance. This policy also outlines clear protocol for staff to following on the first day of absence if no contact is made with parent to ensure the welfare of pupils.

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Risk assessment

The intended school’s risk assessment policy clearly sets out how risks to pupils and staff will be identified, managed and reduced. This policy is on the school’s website.

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Risk assessment

Leaders have established suitable risk assessment processes that cover the wide range of school activities. This includes assessments for the school site, off-site visits and management of outdoor learning. The school intends to create personalised risk assessments for pupils when they first join the school. Pupils’ individual risk assessments will be reviewed regularly. They will clearly identify Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 6 pupils’ triggers and associated risks, alongside proactive strategies to reduce potential harm.

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Risk assessment

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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

The proposed school’s safeguarding and child protection policy sets out how the school will fulfil legal obligations when recruiting new staff as well as supply staff and contractors working on site. The school’s recruitment process is well structured and fully reflects safer recruitment expectations. The proprietor group’s compliance team provides effective support to staff. Leaders have ensured that all newly appointed staff who are now in post have had all the appropriate checks prior to commencement. Those newly appointed staff currently not in post are undergoing appropriate checks.

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

Leaders involved in recruitment are trained in safer recruitment procedures. This enables them to apply safeguarding expectations confidently and consistently throughout the process.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record is accurately maintained, kept up to date and includes all staff. The proprietor and leaders have extensive experience of recruitment in schools. They can demonstrate that recruitment processes are rigorous and that all pre-employment checks are recorded on the proposed school’s single central record.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

The school is situated in a large secure site. The total site consists of a number of buildings the proprietor is planning to develop in stages with plans for a final ca- pacity of 136. This pre-registration is for phase 1, the completed ‘Pavilion’ building for a capacity of 60 pupils.

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and showers

Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 7 There are sufficient separate enclosed toilets for pupils that have a supply of hot and cold water at a suitable temperature. There are also separate toilet facilities for staff and an accessible visitor toilet.

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and showers

Drinking water is appropriately labelled. Drinking water stations are also located in areas where taps are not available which can always provide accessible water to pupils.

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and showers

The proposed school plans to initially utilise the neighbouring leisure facilities, adjacent to the school, for all physical education lessons. This is an interim measure until the works on the additional building (not in the scope for part 5) is complete. These arrangements will provide pupils with adequate changing and showering facilities in the interim. Leaders have ensured all appropriate risk assessments are in place for this short-term measure.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils' therapy needs

A suitable medical room is available with handwashing facilities and specialist medical equipment, such as eye-washing facilities and burns kit. This room is located close to an accessible toilet. There are adequate first-aid supplies available, including a fridge for medicine storage and locked cupboard for prescribed medicines. The intended school does not propose to take pupils with complex medical and physical needs.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils' therapy needs

The school also has three breakout spaces including a therapy room, regulation area and one-to-one intervention space. It also has extensive school grounds it plans to develop to provide pupils with physical movement spaces to use as part of their provision.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school provides sufficient space for the proposed number of 60 pupils. It comprises of five classrooms. Classes are appropriately resourced. They can comfortably fit up to 12 pupils per class with suitably sized tables and chairs for different phases. Leaders intend for pupils to learn in groups with a maximum of six pupils with one teacher and a teaching assistant.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

There is a servery area based in the main corridor where pupils can access food during the school day. This is suitably located near the appropriately sized main hall used for dining. There are additional spaces, including a specialist art room and computing space. Corridors are wide and bright, allowing pupils and staff to move between areas safely.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Provision for the health and safety of pupils is appropriately in place. This includes fire safety equipment and first aid provisions spread throughout the building. The Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 8 school has established appropriate checks of the site to ensure it is maintained to an appropriate standard.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The school’s décor has been specifically designed to reflect the needs of pupils. This includes a carefully chosen range of colour choices to reduce stimulation with minimal potential distraction. High-quality resources have been purchased to support learning, including a laptop computer for each pupil to use to support their learning.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The classrooms themselves are well resourced. They are clean and well-lit with internal and natural light. External lighting is suitably situated throughout the site and on the building. Emergency lighting is in place throughout the building. Temperature and air quality is appropriate.

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Outdoor space

The school provides an extensive outdoor area, where pupils can play and socialise. In addition, there is a full-size, multi-use games area for pupils to play and take part in physical education. There is also an outdoor classroom and large grass areas in which pupils can play and learn. Leaders intend to enhance this further with physical activity areas. The spaces are sufficient for the proposed number of pupils and provide varied opportunities for recreation and social interaction.

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Outdoor space

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The intended school’s website provides the key information required to be compliant with the standards.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders plan to build positive partnership with parents based on ongoing verbal and timely written reports. Parents will receive frequent reports of pupils’ conduct and achievement rewards. Annually, parents will receive a formal written report.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor group has established arrangements for commissioning placements in their schools. This includes leaders providing the authorising local authority with a summary report of impact. The arrangements for annual reviews of EHC plans are appropriate with the option of further evaluations, if requested by the local authority.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered. Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 9

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proprietor’s suitable complaints policies in place meet the relevant requirements of the standards. Leaders have developed two distinct policies for parents and non-parents to share any concerns or raise complaints. These clearly explain how the school will manage complaints through informal and then formal stages. Both policies set out clear timescales for managing complaints and are published on the proposed school’s website.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proprietor maintains close oversight of any informal or formal complaint to the school. All complaints records will be shared confidentially on the proprietor’s electronic management system. They will be reviewed by the local governing board for learning and reflection opportunities.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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The school's accessibility plan

Leaders have a suitable accessibility policy in place. As a result, the school meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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The school's accessibility plan

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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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

The proposed school, Anstey Manor School, will be managed by Cavendish Education Ltd. The chair of the proprietor board is Aatif Naveed Hassan.

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About this inspection

The inspector checked the suitability of the new premises during their site check. She met with the executive headteacher, headteacher and a range of other staff. The inspector also met with the chair of the local governing board and a director of the proprietor body, responsible for compliance. Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 10 The inspector reviewed documents in relation to the curriculum, teaching and learning, the provision for pupils with SEND, recruitment, safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment.

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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.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school: The proposed school will operate from Anstey Manor School, Anstey Lane, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2NG. The building was previously used as an independent private school. The school does not intend to use any off-site premises.

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About this inspection

The school intends to cater for pupils whose primary needs include speech, language and communication needs; social, emotional and mental health needs; and autism spectrum condition.

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About this inspection

The school does not intend to use alternative provision.

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About this proposed school

Proprietor Cavendish Education Ltd Headteacher Rebecca Bradley Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 60

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authority

Age range of pupils Provider's proposal: 7 to 16 Gender of pupils Provider's proposal: Mixed

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per week

Provider's proposal: 32.5 Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 11

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teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider's proposal: 1

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Annual fees for day pupils £73,800 - £78,500

Email address info@ansteymanorschool.com Anstey Manor School, 7 May 2026 12 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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Annual fees for day pupils £73,800 - £78,500

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Annual fees for day pupils £73,800 - £78,500

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Annual fees for day pupils £73,800 - £78,500

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

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