Silver Linings School Pinxton

Silver Linings School Pinxton, 8 July 2026 1 Silver Linings School Pinxton The School House, Kirkstead Road, Nottingham NG16 6NA

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report:

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

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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 chair of the proprietor board and the headteacher share a purpose to support pupils who have experienced profound difficulties in education. Leaders aim to enable secondary-aged pupils to re-engage with education so that they can take positive next steps in education, employment or training. Pupils’ well-being is at the centre of leaders’ decision-making and investment.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor and the headteacher have sound plans to support pupils’ social, emotional and mental health needs. However, their proposals regarding the academic curriculum are not fully developed. This means that leaders have not demonstrated the knowledge and understanding needed to ensure that all the standards will be met securely and consistently over time.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The school is not likely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part. Silver Linings School Pinxton, 8 July 2026 2

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Curriculum

Leaders intend pupils to study a broad range of academic subjects. Leaders have started planning the curriculum well. In some subjects, leaders clearly outline the knowledge teachers must teach and in what order. However, there are many areas of the curriculum where this work has not been completed.

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Curriculum

Leaders know that pupils are likely to join the school with under-developed reading, writing and mathematics. To support the teaching of mathematics, leaders have in place a clear approach. However, leaders have not yet acquired the scheme they intend to use with pupils who are at an early stage of reading. Similarly, leaders do not have clear plans in place for the teaching of writing, including spelling, punctuation, grammar and handwriting.

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Curriculum

The personal, social, health and economic education (PSHEE) curriculum will support pupils’ personal development. Pupils will learn about healthy lifestyles, including staying safe and how to maintain positive emotional and physical health.

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Curriculum

The PSHEE curriculum, supplemented by assemblies, educational visits and guest speakers, will provide pupils with lots of opportunities to explore career options. Pupils will access specialist and impartial careers guidance to help them make positive next steps after Year 11. The curriculum includes a well-considered programme of relationships and sex education (RSE). The RSE policy is published on the school’s website. Leaders’ plans include consulting with parents and carers when the policy is reviewed.

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Teaching

Because the curriculum is not complete, teachers do not know the subject matter they should teach. This means teachers cannot plan well-sequenced lessons or develop the resources they need to teach. As a result, the teaching is unlikely to enable pupils to acquire the knowledge they need in the subjects taught.

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Teaching

The curriculum includes pathways designed to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders intend for pupils to be able to move between the pathways in response to any emerging needs. However, some areas of curriculum plans mean that pupils would have gaps in their knowledge if they move to a different pathway.

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Assessment

Leaders will use the well-established approaches at their other school in the group to assess pupils’ social and emotional needs. This includes their existing initial Silver Linings School Pinxton, 8 July 2026 3 assessments for when pupils join the school. However, because leaders have not finished planning the secondary curriculum, assessment procedures for the academic curriculum are not fully developed.

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Assessment

The school is unlikely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part.

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pupils

Leaders aim for pupils to learn about themselves and develop positive self-worth and confidence. Staff are well equipped with the knowledge and skills to support pupils’ pastoral and therapeutic needs effectively.

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pupils

Within the school’s curriculum, leaders have designed lots of opportunities for pupils to learn about how to work with others and make positive contributions in teams. They will also learn the importance of understanding the needs of others and how to respectfully disagree when the need arises.

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pupils

Leaders’ plans demonstrate that staff will teach fundamental British values alongside contemporary issues. Staff will encourage pupils to take balanced approaches to controversial views. Pupils will take part in democratic processes such as elections for the school council.

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pupils

Pupils will have opportunities to learn about different lifestyles and beliefs. It is likely that pupils will be well prepared for adult life in modern society.

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pupils

Leaders’ plans include supporting pupils to develop talents and interests. For example, pupils will take part in competitive sport.

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pupils

The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standard in this part.

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Safeguarding

The safeguarding policy is up to date and well drafted. The policy clearly outlines staff’s safeguarding duties and how to respond when concerns arise. The policy is on the school’s website.

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Safeguarding

Leaders are fully trained to carry out their safeguarding responsibilities. They are aware of the potential risks pupils face. They also know the signs of possible harm. Leaders know how to access the support of external agencies when necessary. Silver Linings School Pinxton, 8 July 2026 4 Leaders have clear procedures and recording systems to ensure that vulnerable pupils will receive the support they need. Leaders have a complete programme of safeguarding training in place for staff.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The behaviour policy clearly outlines the school’s focus on helping pupils build positive relationships with others.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

Staff will ensure that pupils learn to recognise any triggers that lead to unwelcome behaviour. They will have ongoing conversations about the patterns noticeable within the school’s behaviour tracking system. Staff will provide specific support to help pupils manage their behaviour with increasing independence over time.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

There will be sufficient staff so that pupils are well supervised at school and when learning in the community and during educational visits. Leaders plan for a one-to- one staff ratio for most pupils.

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Anti-bullying

Leaders have a well-considered anti-bullying policy that will works alongside what pupils learn in PSHEE about treating others with dignity.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

Leaders have suitable policies regarding health and safety and first aid. They also have a full training programme for staff to understand the policies and their responsibilities.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

To ensure the building is safe, leaders have scheduled routine health and safety and fire safety checks. Leaders swiftly resolve any concerns raised by these checks.

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Admissions and attendance

Leaders have suitable arrangements in place that will ensure the admissions register is maintained appropriately.

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Risk assessment

Owing to their experience at the other school in the group, leaders have a well- established approach to managing risk. The risk policy includes different types of risk assessments, including assessing risks for individual pupils. The policy also clearly identifies the responsibilities of staff and leaders. Silver Linings School Pinxton, 8 July 2026 5 Risk assessments are clear and well thought out. Leaders will ensure that staff regularly review risk assessments and make any necessary alterations.

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Risk assessment

This school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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

Leaders have thorough recruitment practices to ensure that staff are suitable to work with pupils. They ensure policies and procedures stay up to date with latest national expectations. Leaders carry out necessary background checks before new staff join the school.

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

Although leaders do not intend to use supply staff, they know what information they need should they do so.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The record of background checks is well managed and in line with national expectations.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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and showers

The school has lockable toilets for the sole use of pupils. These include washing facilities with water regulated to prevent risk of scalding.

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and showers

Adults have separate toilet facilities from the pupils.

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and showers

The school has suitably marked, readily available taps for pupils to access drinking water.

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and showers

Leaders have identified suitable areas in the school for pupils to get changed when necessary. The school has shower facilities available for pupils to use as well.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The medical room is well equipped with the necessary furniture and first-aid equipment. There is also a toilet near the medical room. Silver Linings School Pinxton, 8 July 2026 6

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Leaders have refurbished the building so that it is now safe for use by staff and pupils. They have measures in place so that the buildings and facilities are maintained to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The lighting and acoustic conditions throughout the building are appropriate for learning. Leaders have also ensured that there are rooms to support pupils when they need very quiet spaces due to their emotional needs.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Outdoor spaces are well lit by automatically activated lights.

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Outdoor space

The school has enclosed outdoor areas surrounded by a secure fence. These spaces include grassy areas and hard surfaces for playing games, exercising and socialising. Leaders have also arranged for pupils to use leisure facilities in the local community to support aspects of the physical education curriculum.

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Outdoor space

The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders have clarified the school’s ethos and vision on the school’s website.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The school’s website has all the required policies for parents and carers to review. This includes policies regarding the curriculum, behaviour, anti-bullying, health and safety, first aid and admissions. Leaders ensure that parents can have paper copies, if necessary.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders have a well-designed system of termly and annual reports for parents about pupils’ progress.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders understand their obligations to provide information about their use of funds from the local authority to support pupils. Leaders also have routines in place to review pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans in partnership with parents, carers and the local authority.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standards in this part. Silver Linings School Pinxton, 8 July 2026 7

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

Leaders have made clear in the complaints policy the procedures parents and carers can follow if concerns arise. Leaders’ policy outlines what will happen at each stage of the process and the timescales.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the standards in this part.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school’s accessibility plan makes clear how leaders and staff will adapt provision to meet the needs of pupils with SEND.

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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 chair of the proprietor body and the headteacher during the inspection.

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About this proposed school

Proprietor Silver Linings Education Limited

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About this proposed school

Chair of the proprietor body Catherine Tumman

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About this proposed school

Headteacher Nadia Shelton Silver Linings School Pinxton, 8 July 2026 8 Type of school Other independent special school

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authority

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

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authority

Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: mixed

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teaching staff

Provider’s current position: 1 Provider’s proposal: 6

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teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 3

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teaching staff

Email address office@silverliningsed.co.uk

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Independent school standards that the school is unlikely to meet

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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. ◼ 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. ◼ 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; – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range; – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress.

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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- Silver Linings School Pinxton, 8 July 2026 10 – 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. Silver Linings School Pinxton, 8 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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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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