Include-West Bars

Include-West Bars, 15 July 2026 1 Include-West Bars 23 West Bars, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 1AB

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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 (the 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 has a secure understanding of the standards. Leaders have adopted a measured approach to opening the school and have planned carefully for gradual growth. The proprietor has appointed an executive leadership team and a headteacher with prior experience of working in independent special schools. These leaders have designed a suitable learning environment and a curriculum to meet the pupils’ additional needs. They are already demonstrating appropriate knowledge and capacity to meet the standards consistently.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has established robust quality assurance procedures to ensure that the school will meet the standards, including over time. The proprietor, executive leaders and senior leaders demonstrate the understanding necessary to ensure that the standards will be met securely and consistently over time. The proposed school building is compliant with all the standards and provides appropriate Include-West Bars, 15 July 2026 2 accommodation for pupils. The proprietor has ensured that the premises are well maintained and that the health and safety of pupils is assured.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Systems to promote pupils’ wellbeing are well considered, and leaders understand their statutory responsibilities, including those related to safeguarding, equality and adults’ suitability to work with children.

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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 Department for Education (DfE) decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Curriculum

The proposed school has a suitable curriculum policy that reflects the age range and needs of the pupils it intends to admit, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The policy is supported by appropriate schemes of work that aims to provide pupils with experiences in a range of subjects aligned to the national curriculum. Leaders have also designed a bespoke curriculum offer particularly for those pupils who have experienced anxiety-related non-attendance at school.

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Curriculum

The provision intends for pupils to have opportunities to learn and make progress in all areas of learning. Detailed schemes of work consider pupils’ starting points, aptitudes and ages. Planning and curriculum targets set for pupils with SEND consider the needs identified in their education, health and care (EHC) plans.

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Curriculum

The curriculum is structured appropriately, with a clear emphasis on English and mathematics, supported by a suitably broad wider curriculum offer. Reading has a high profile. Leaders intend to implement a range of approaches, including a phonics-based catch-up programme, to support reading development and assess reading ages.

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Curriculum

Personal, social and health education (PSHE) is well planned and includes coverage of important topics, such as those related to relationships, health, citizenship and life skills. Careers education is also embedded in the curriculum and wider provision. The requirements for relationships and sex education are likely to be met. Leaders plan for staff to deliver content through a structured PSHE programme. This programme reflects the proposed schools’ ethos and aims. It aims to encourage mutual respect, promote pupils’ understanding of the protected characteristics and prepare them well for their life in modern Britain. Include-West Bars, 15 July 2026 3

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Teaching

Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of curriculum design, sequencing and pedagogy. Shared planning, monitoring activities and proprietor oversight are intended to ensure consistency in curriculum delivery. The provision has planned a programme of quality assurance activities to check on how well the curriculum is taught. It aims to ensure that teachers plan appropriate sequences of lessons and adopt effective teaching methods. The proprietor plans to make training available for staff to achieve qualified teacher status.

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Teaching

Subject schemes of work set out the types of learning activities that will be used to help pupils understand new content and develop skills. These are organised to build pupils’ knowledge and skills in a logical manner.

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Teaching

The curriculum seeks to promote pupils’ self-motivation, independence and engagement. Planned opportunities for discussion, reflection and debate will encourage pupils to think critically and develop confidence in their learning. Planned lessons are structured appropriately and make effective use of available resources, including specialist facilities and technology. The provision intends that teaching will actively promote pupils’ understanding of fundamental British values.

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Assessment

Leaders understand the importance of considering pupils’ prior attainment carefully and have designed robust assessment arrangements to establish accurate starting points, when pupils are admitted. They intend to ensure that staff make effective use of assessment information to identify gaps in learning and inform teaching. This is likely to support the proposed school’s aim of helping pupils re- engage with education and make progress from their individual starting points. The provision has an appropriate framework in place to assess pupils’ learning and progress and report this to parents and carers.

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Assessment

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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pupils

Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. The proposed curriculum reflects the provision’s ethos and will support pupils, who have experienced difficulties in education. Aspects of SMSC development are threaded through programmes, such as ‘Our World’ and ‘Talk’. PSHE and reading curriculums provide regular opportunities to explore morality, citizenship, world views and social issues. Include-West Bars, 15 July 2026 4 Enrichment activities will be offered to all pupils to ensure that they experience a diverse range of social and cultural activities and traditions. For instance, plans are in place to help pupils to be involved in charity work and to celebrate cultural events, such as Chinese New Year.

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pupils

Fundamental British values are woven throughout the curriculum and wider provision. Protected characteristics, diversity and inclusion will be promoted appropriately. Leaders also place suitable emphasis on pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing through therapeutic support, pastoral provision and the planned delivery of physical education.

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pupils

Leaders plan to check the quality of the PSHE curriculum frequently to assure themselves that staff do not promote partisan political views.

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pupils

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Safeguarding

The proposed school has appropriate arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. There is a comprehensive safeguarding policy that reflects current statutory guidance. The policy makes clear the actions that staff will be expected to take if they have a safeguarding concern. The school will record any concerns on an electronic system.

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Safeguarding

All current senior leaders have received designated safeguarding leader training and there are suitable plans for future safeguarding capacity as the school expands. Leaders demonstrate secure knowledge and skills suitable to their roles and an accurate awareness of the provision’s contextual issues.

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Safeguarding

The provision plans to deliver a comprehensive programme of safeguarding induction and ongoing training to ensure that staff have the necessary knowledge to keep pupils safe. Content will be revisited over time to ensure that it is understood and applied consistently.

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Safeguarding

There are suitable arrangements in place to monitor and filter pupils’ access to online materials.

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Behaviour, anti-bullying and supervision of pupils

Appropriate behaviour and anti-bullying policies are in place. These policies include appropriate and proportionate sanctions. The proposed school is aware of the DfE guidance on restrictive physical intervention (RPI) and has put procedures in place Include-West Bars, 15 July 2026 5 in line with the statutory element requiring the recording of incidents. Incidents of poor behaviour, including any that require RPI, will be recorded and analysed systematically to identify patterns and inform support.

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Behaviour, anti-bullying and supervision of pupils

Leaders have planned systems to manage behaviour and support pupils effectively. They have ensured that staff are likely to be able to follow these arrangements consistently. Staff will be expected to place a clear emphasis on relational approaches, de-escalation and helping pupils to regulate their behaviour.

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Behaviour, anti-bullying and supervision of pupils

Clear routines and expectations have been arranged, and there is an expectation that staff will know how to adapt approaches to meet pupils’ individual needs. Arrangements for the supervision of pupils are likely to be appropriate, including during off-site activities, where staff will maintain clear ratios and oversight. These arrangements have been set out by leaders in ‘standard operating procedures’ documents.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has a health and safety policy that is tailored to the proposed school building. It complies with all relevant laws. The proprietor intends to ensure the school’s compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 through commissioning an external fire risk assessment and regular fire safety checks of the building by leaders. The proprietor has an appropriate first-aid policy in place. First-aid boxes are available across the site. Some of the staff already appointed have undergone first-aid training.

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Admissions and attendance

The proprietor has ensured that there is an appropriate and up-to-date admission and attendance policy in place. The proposed school will record attendance on an electronic system. It will use this to identify any trends or patterns of absence. It will show the codes that staff will use to record the reasons for pupils’ absence. Systems are in place to ensure that records of admissions will adhere to the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006 and 2024.

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Risk assessment

A written risk assessment policy is in place. The risk assessments that have already been completed show that leaders plan to take appropriate actions to minimise risks on the premises and during pupil activities, including those off site. Risk assessments calculate the nature of risks and set out how these will be mitigated. Leaders have carefully considered risks associated with pupils’ arrival, departure and movement around the premises. Include-West Bars, 15 July 2026 6 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record (SCR) is in place and meets the requirements for the information that it must contain. The proprietor understands the need to complete all the required checks on the suitability of staff before they take up an appointment. Records relating to the proprietor are included on the proposed school’s SCR.

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

All of the suitability checks, including those relating to the leadership and management of a school, have been carried out. The proprietor and members of the executive leadership team have completed appropriate training to support the appointment of suitable staff to work in a school. The headteacher and some teaching staff have already been appointed. The proprietor plans to move some staff across from their existing school and recruit additional teachers and support staff as the school grows. The induction process for new staff makes it clear that they will undergo a full suite of safeguarding and other appropriate training on appointment.

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

The proposed school is aware of the procedures that it should follow in the event of employing supply staff to ensure that they are suitable to work with pupils. The proprietor does not intend to engage volunteers. However, it is clear about its responsibility for checking the suitability of volunteers who may work with pupils if this does occur.

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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and showers

Suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for pupils. Hot and cold water is available, and hot water does not present a scalding risk. Drinking water is available and clearly labelled. Taps supplying non-drinking water are clearly identified. Suitable changing and shower facilities are available on the school site. Include-West Bars, 15 July 2026 7

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

There is suitable accommodation in the downstairs office that can be used for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils. It includes a washing facility and is close to a toilet. The office is provided for staff use but can be adapted if it is required to accommodate a sick pupil.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proposed school site is a recently refurbished Georgian solicitor’s office. As a grade 2 listed building, it has some restrictions that the proprietor has had to work within. This has limited some of the planned developments to the outdoor space, however, it has been refurbished to a very high standard and there are no obvious health and safety hazards on the site. The proprietor has taken all necessary steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of pupils.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

All rooms have modern LED lighting and most have large windows providing natural light. All teaching spaces have adequate lighting and appropriate acoustic measures are in place to reduce transference of noise between classrooms.

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Outdoor space

There is a reasonably sized area to the rear of the building, where pupils can spend time relaxing and playing outdoors. The plans to extend this space to provide more space for sports are awaiting approval. Physical education is planned to be delivered off site at a local leisure centre.

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Outdoor space

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor is fully aware of the requirements for the information that a school should publish on its website. It has set up a school website that contains appropriate information. There is a suitable range of information available for parents and pupils when they join the school. This includes information on admissions, behaviour, the curriculum and safeguarding. All key documents will be made available for parents on request from the school office, as well as being published on the school’s website.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school intends to provide to parents termly and annual reports on their children’s progress and attainment. Reports will provide a holistic picture of a pupil’s progress, including towards outcomes listed in pupils’ EHC plan. The Include-West Bars, 15 July 2026 8 proprietor is aware that any inspection reports and examination results need to be made available once released. The proprietor is also aware of the requirements to statutorily report incidents to parents, as outlined in the DfE April 2026 guidance on RPI.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The complaints policy sets out how parents can raise concerns about the proposed school’s work, including both informal and formal routes. It clearly explains each stage of the process and the timescales involved. Parents who remain dissatisfied can request an independently chaired panel hearing. Leaders will keep a written record of all complaints and the actions taken.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The proposed detailed accessibility plan identifies how leaders will ensure that the site, the curriculum and any documentation are accessible for pupils with SEND.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school is likely to meet the regulation in this part.

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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 inspector met with the chair and another member of the proprietor body, the headteacher and the executive leadership team. The inspector conducted a tour of the proposed site to check the suitability of the premises. He scrutinised a wide range of documentation, including policies, curriculum plans and assessment information. He also considered a wide range of documentation relating to health Include-West Bars, 15 July 2026 9 and safety, including a sample of the school’s risk assessments and checked the arrangements for safeguarding and staff recruitment, including the single central record.

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About this inspection

This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the proposed school:

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About this inspection

It does not use any other alternative provision.

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About this inspection

The proposed school intends to provide full-time education for up to 30 pupils from 11 to 18 years old. The school will have a focus on the provision of education to pupils who have experienced anxiety-related non-attendance at school.

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About this inspection

The school is proposing to be a special school providing for pupils with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and those with social, emotional and mental health needs.

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Chair of the proprietor body

Type of school Other independent special school

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disabilities on roll

Provider’s proposal: 30 Include-West Bars, 15 July 2026 10

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authority

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 11 to 18

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authority

Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: Mixed

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teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 0

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teaching staff

Annual fees for day pupils £44,000 to £66,000

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teaching staff

Email address info.westbars@include-education- group.co.uk Include-West Bars, 15 July 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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teaching staff

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teaching staff

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teaching staff

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teaching staff

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

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