Lake House School

Lake House School, 22 July 2026 1 Lake House School Waterside Business Park, Smiths Road, Bolton BL3 2QJ

p.1

report:

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

p.1

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.

p.1

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.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor body consists of a chairperson and 2 directors. The school also uses an experienced independent education consultant. They demonstrate the skills, knowledge and understanding appropriate to their roles. The proprietor has established a systematic programme of quality assurance to make sure that the independent school standards (the standards) are met consistently well over time.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has invested significantly in developing a high-quality provision. This is reflected in the quality of the curriculum design, resourcing and the way in which the school site has been developed. The proprietor and headteacher have set out a clear and ambitious vision for the school that aims to embed high expectations from the outset.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that the design of the curriculum reflects rich opportunities for pupils to learn across a broad range of subjects. The way in Lake House School, 22 July 2026 2 which the school has been set up demonstrates a thoughtful understanding of pupils’ educational and therapeutic needs. Pupils’ welfare has been placed at the heart of the proprietor’s decision-making process.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has secure arrangements for the oversight of safeguarding to ensure that leaders are held to account for maintaining safe practices. These arrangements will contribute directly to promoting pupils’ wellbeing.

p.2

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

p.2

Curriculum

The proprietor has ensured that the school’s curriculum policy is supported by curriculum plans that have been meticulously thought through in terms of a personalised approach to learning. Leaders have a clear vision for how the curriculum will be adapted to meet each pupil’s age, needs and ability. They intend to enable pupils to study for a range of qualifications from entry level up to GCSEs. For example, the approach to reading includes a systematic phonics scheme to engage pupils of different ages with high-quality texts.

p.2

Curriculum

The proposed school has designed a programme of activities to support pupils’ wellbeing, closely linked to their personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. This curriculum promotes an understanding of the characteristics which are protected by law, such as race and equality.

p.2

Curriculum

The PSHE curriculum is designed to revisit the essential knowledge in terms of developing pupils’ relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education. This aspect of the school’s provision has been informed by statutory guidance. The school’s RSE policy explains the curriculum content well to parents and carers. This policy has been skilfully incorporated into the wider aspects of how the school intends to prepare pupils for the future, such as in the design of its careers offer.

p.2

Curriculum

The school’s programme for careers guidance will engage an external, independent adviser so that information is provided in an impartial way that is meaningful to the interests and ambitions of each pupil.

p.2

Teaching

The curriculum is specific about the knowledge and skills the school wants pupils to remember. In addition, the proprietor has ensured that planned training for teachers develops expertise to adapt learning to suit the needs of pupils. This also includes how to engage pupils, so they are encouraged to participate well. The Lake House School, 22 July 2026 3 proprietor has recruited staff with specific knowledge and skills. As a result, the guidance for staff is likely to result in well-designed lessons and effective teaching methods that meet the needs of pupils.

p.2

Teaching

The classroom resources available are of a high quality to support leaders’ ambitions of delivering an effective curriculum.

p.3

Assessment

The school has established a clear and coherent framework for assessing pupils’ learning. From the outset, leaders have set out how they will identify pupils’ starting points and gauge their understanding of the curriculum. They have defined purposeful end goals and milestones that map out the intended progression through each subject. These arrangements should enable teachers to monitor pupils’ progress accurately and to adapt teaching in response to emerging needs.

p.3

Assessment

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

p.3

pupils

Leaders have threaded pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development throughout the curriculum. They have ensured that key learning about fundamental British Values and equality run through all schemes of work so that these are continually promoted.

p.3

pupils

The curriculum will celebrate key-cultural events throughout the year to strengthen pupils’ understanding of different beliefs and cultures. The school has invested in an immersive virtual-reality room to enrich pupils’ wider experiences by enabling them to undertake virtual visits to places of cultural significance that they would not otherwise be able to access.

p.3

pupils

The school’s planned approach to managing behaviour centres on understanding pupils’ needs and helping them to communicate so that pupils learn to manage their own emotions. Leaders aim to instil a strong sense of right and wrong in pupils, so that they can make informed choices and make a positive contribution to society.

p.3

pupils

The school intends to help pupils to develop an understanding of current events and to debate their own view and those of others. The proprietor has made it explicit that staff will offer a balanced presentation of opposing political views if political issues are brought to the attention of pupils. Lake House School, 22 July 2026 4 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

p.3

Safeguarding

The proprietor has ensured that the school’s safeguarding policy matches the most recent statutory guidance. This policy sets out clear guidance for all staff and is likely to be successful in its aims if followed well.

p.4

Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The school’s behaviour policy sets out a clear and structured approach to managing incidents. It is tailored to meet the needs of pupils with autism and those with social, emotional and mental health needs.

p.4

Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The school intends to implement an approach in which the individual needs of each pupil are assessed and understood so that staff can support pupils to behave well.

p.4

Anti-bullying

There is a clear anti-bullying policy in place. Leaders intend to ensure that staff are trained to support pupils to understand their own behaviour and the effect that this has on others. The policy has a no blame culture that emphasises ‘making up is more important than messing up’.

p.4

Health and safety, fire and first aid

The school has a detailed health and safety policy in place. It is kept up to date so that any risks and control measures appropriate to the school site are clearly identified.

p.4

Health and safety, fire and first aid

The school has a comprehensive fire risk assessment in place. This is reviewed regularly and senior leaders have received appropriate fire marshal training.

p.4

Health and safety, fire and first aid

The school has a well-maintained emergency lighting system throughout the premises. Fire exits are correctly signed and illuminated. All firefighting equipment is checked annually by a professional firm.

p.4

Health and safety, fire and first aid

There is appropriate guidance for staff regarding the administration of first aid. Lake House School, 22 July 2026 5

p.4

Admissions and attendance

The school has appropriate arrangements in place to record pupils’ admissions information as well as their attendance, should the DfE decide to register the school.

p.5

Risk assessment

The proprietor has ensured that there is an appropriate procedure in place that explains how risks to pupils, staff and visitors will be identified and mitigated. Leaders have ensured that this policy has resulted in a suite of purposeful, consistently rigorous risk assessments.

p.5

Risk assessment

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

p.5

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

The single central record (SCR) captures the range of employment checks, identity checks, qualifications, references and medical fitness required by the standards. These checks include suitability checks for members of the proprietor body and those in management roles.

p.5

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

The SCR also includes checks on the right to work in the UK, including suitability checks on staff who have returned from overseas.

p.5

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

Although the school does not intend to use supply staff, there is provision made in the SCR to ensure that, if this does arise, appropriate checks are in place for agency workers.

p.5

The single central record of these recruitment checks

The register is held electronically and can be printed in legible form if required.

p.5

The single central record of these recruitment checks

All checks are completed prior to staff taking up their roles.

p.5

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.

p.5

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

The school building is a two-storey industrial unit that has been meticulously converted to meet the needs of the pupils that the school proposes to admit. It Lake House School, 22 July 2026 6 has 14 classrooms which include a dedicated food technology kitchen and a science laboratory. There is also a therapy room, a multisensory room and intervention room.

p.5

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

There is ample space for the school’s proposed number of 78 pupils.

p.6

and showers

Toilets for pupils’ sole use are in individual cubicles that are lockable from the inside. There are separate toilets for staff’s use and there are also accessible toilets for disabled staff, pupils and visitors.

p.6

and showers

Showering facilities are available onsite for pupils aged 11 and over. Drinking water is signed and accessible throughout.

p.6

Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The school has a dedicated medical room. It is well stocked with first-aid equipment. The room contains a sink and is located next to a toilet.

p.6

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The premises has been finished to a high specification. The proprietor has ensured that there has been a high level of attention paid to the health, safety and welfare of pupils in the design and resourcing of the premises. For example, they have ensured that there are soft corners on some items of furniture to reduce the risk of accidents.

p.6

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

All classrooms are air conditioned and provide a comfortable environment for pupils.

p.6

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The classrooms for older pupils include ergonomic chairs and height-adjustable desks to support pupils’ core strength and physical needs.

p.6

Lighting and acoustic conditions

Classrooms are bright and noise is dampened through carpeting and acoustic ceiling panels. Where necessary, the proprietor has ensured that lighting can be dimmed to create a more calming space to avoid pupils from becoming overwhelmed.

p.6

Lighting and acoustic conditions

There is emergency lighting on all fire escapes and the main entrances and exits. Lake House School, 22 July 2026 7

p.6

Outdoor space

There is ample outdoor space for pupils to play. This includes a specially designed playground that has an impact absorbing surface.

p.7

Outdoor space

Although the school intends to use local specialist sports facilities, there is a small field to the front of the property that is suitable to facilitate pupils’ physical education.

p.7

Outdoor space

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

p.7

Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has ensured that the school’s safeguarding policy is published online. The policy is detailed and regularly updated.

p.7

Part 6. Provision of information

They have ensured that the information required by the standards is available on its website. This includes a policy for restrictive interventions, curriculum policy and assessment arrangements. The school also publishes policies on a range of health and safety matters. The website includes all relevant contact details such as how to contact the headteacher and the chair of the proprietor body.

p.7

Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has ensured that it has a system to record all required admissions and attendance information. It has a format in place for an annual written report for parents that explains pupils’ progress and achievement, as well as the information needed for an annual review of pupils’ education, health and care plans.

p.7

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.

p.7

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The school’s complaints procedure sets out clear timetables for the different stages of managing a complaint. It allows parents to raise concerns informally at first and then to submit a complaint in writing if they are not happy with the initial response.

p.7

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The procedure includes escalation to a complaints panel. The policy clearly sets out the complainant’s right to be accompanied to this panel. It also states that at least one member of the panel will be independent of school management. Lake House School, 22 July 2026 8 Any actions taken in response to a complaint will be communicated to the complainant. The policy is well written and accessible, providing clear guidance that can be easily understood by parents.

p.7

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.

p.8

The school’s accessibility plan

The proprietor has ensured that the school’s accessibility plan sets out relevant aims to improve access to the curriculum, the building and in delivering clear information for pupils, staff and visitors. It meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 and of the standards.

p.8

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.

p.8

About this inspection

Following our updated inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

p.8

About this inspection

The DfE commissioned Ofsted to conduct this inspection to assess whether the proprietor’s planned arrangements are likely to meet the standards if registration to open is granted.

p.8

About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the chair of the proprietor body and the headteacher during the inspection. At the time of the inspection, no pupils were on roll.

p.8

About this inspection

The inspector also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the SCR of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents. These requirements of the standards are met.

p.8

About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

p.8

About this inspection

The chair of the proprietor body is Linda Simmons.

p.8

About this inspection

The proposed school intends to cater for pupils with autism and associated needs.

p.8

About this inspection

The school does not intend to use any alternative provision. Lake House School, 22 July 2026 9

p.8

Chair of the proprietor body

Blazing Stars Education Ltd Linda Simmons Headteacher Natalie Callahan Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 78

p.9

authority

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 5 to16 Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: Mixed

p.9

teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 0 Annual fees for day pupils £80,000 Email address natalie.callahan@lakehouseschool.com Lake House School, 22 July 2026 10 providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people

p.9

teaching staff

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

teaching staff

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

teaching staff

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

p.10