Ambleford School

Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 1 Ambleford School Grounds of Ambleford Cottage, Lamberhurst Quarter, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 8AT

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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 (ISS) 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 ISS first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the ISS 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 includes those with appropriate skills and experience to contribute to the intended provision. This includes the proposed headteacher, who brings educational experience in the classroom across a range of subjects. This is likely to ensure that there is appropriate understanding of curriculum planning, implementation and adaptation to suit pupils’ needs in the classroom. The proprietor body also includes qualified outdoor learning leaders who bring this experience to bear, which is especially relevant given the setting of the proposed school. Leaders have undertaken the additional training they need to establish a culture of safeguarding and to help to protect pupils from harm. Leaders recognise the need to recruit to other areas of experience. For example, new staff joining the proposed school are likely to bring with them experience in the early years foundation stage. Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 2

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor body has begun to establish connections with others to develop further governance and oversight. It intends to establish an advisory committee to further offer challenge to the intended provision, although this is in its early stages.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

There is not currently sufficient knowledge and experience to ensure that all the ISS are likely to be met. This is especially the case with regards to the parts around the welfare, health and safety of pupils and the premises of the proposed school site.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

As a result, the standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the school is registered.

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Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment

Leaders have developed an appropriate curriculum offer for the proposed early years children and primary-aged pupils they plan to cater for. This shows effective consideration for pupils’ starting points and is likely to meet pupils’ specific special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders have plans for pupils to learn across a range of subjects, using the outdoor space and farmland where possible to enhance this offer. Leaders intend for mixed-age teaching groups based around their stage of education and tailored to their needs. Leaders have also planned an appropriate programme for personal, social, health, relationships and economic education.

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Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment

Leaders intend to ensure that staff are well trained to deliver the curriculum and adapt lessons to ensure that pupils’ additional needs are met effectively. Newly appointed staff bring experience of teaching the early years foundation stage to the proposed school. Monitoring of pupil progress is considered, which would ensure that staff and leaders can track pupils’ progress, both through the curriculum and against any individualised targets from education, health and care plans.

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Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment

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

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pupils

Leaders place an effective emphasis on pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. For example, leaders have planned opportunities for pupils to learn to work collaboratively with others and to develop their confidence and resilience. Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 3 Opportunities for pupils’ increasing independence are intended to be woven through the curriculum and their outdoor learning experience.

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pupils

Leaders intend to maintain an appropriate focus on developing social and emotional resilience that is tailored around pupils’ individual needs. Pupils will be taught how to develop positive and healthy relationships with others as part of an appropriately planned curriculum. Extra-curricular opportunities are likely to be well considered to develop pupils’ experience and confidence in the wider world.

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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 policy is comprehensive and meets statutory requirements. The policy outlines the proposed school’s robust procedures to identify, report and record concerns about pupils’ welfare.

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Safeguarding

The co-proprietor, who is also the headteacher, and another leader, intend to lead on safeguarding practice in the school. Both have the additional training they need to check that the culture of safeguarding helps to protect pupils from harm. There is appropriately planned safeguarding training for staff which is relevant and considers both statutory duties and the school’s contextual needs.

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Safeguarding

The co-proprietors’ systems for oversight are robust. The need for the regular review of safeguarding practices and procedures is understood by leaders to ensure that pupils’ safety and welfare are prioritised.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils, including anti-bullying

The proposed school has a well-considered behaviour policy in place. It establishes consistent expectations of how staff should support pupils to manage their behaviour. All staff will be trained so that they feel confident using de-escalation processes and ensure that restrictive physical intervention is used as a last resort.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils, including anti-bullying

The anti-bullying policy outlines the steps the school will take to manage any bullying incidents. Leaders intend for any incidents to be recorded centrally, including actions taken and resolutions. The policy also clearly outlines the processes for communication with parents.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proposed school has a health and safety policy that lays out some appropriate considerations for keeping pupils and staff safe. However, this policy is not Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 4 sufficiently tailored specifically for the proposed school, making reference to equipment and resources that the proposed school does not contain. First-aid kits are appropriate and placed in key spaces around the proposed school site. A risk assessment policy and examples of risk assessments show that leaders have considered where some potential risks may be identified.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

While these policies anticipate some site-based risks appropriately, actual practice on the site does not readily address the potential risks. For example, areas of the school site that require pupils to be accompanied or supervised by staff are not labelled as such or demarcated clearly. Fire safety equipment, including extinguishers, while available in some parts of the school site, are not readily available in all necessary areas. Similarly, the site is not maintained adequately to ensure that, where some of this equipment is in place, it can be accessed readily or easily by pupils or staff. This also includes the ability to raise an alarm if there were to be a fire. There is not sufficient signage visible around the school site to direct pupils to fire assembly points. Fire exits, for example from the school bus that leaders intend as a classroom, contain too high a drop for primary-aged pupils

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

to exit from safely. Forest school equipment, including saws and knives, are kept in a shipping container which can be locked, but keys were left in the lock, meaning that these were not secured.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

These practices mean that leaders have not taken the steps they need to ensure the welfare, health and safety of pupils. As a result, the standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the school is registered.

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Admissions and attendance

An appropriate admissions policy has been drawn up by leaders. Admissions and attendance registers have been established and are likely to contain the necessary information.

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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.

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Risk assessment

The intended school’s risk assessment policy sets out how risks to pupils and staff will be identified, managed and reduced. Leaders have established 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 identify pupils’ triggers and associated risks, alongside proactive strategies to reduce potential harm. Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 5 However, the site and leaders’ practices do not provide mitigation against the risks identified in plans. This includes some areas of the school site that require supervision by staff, the appropriate storage of tools, including saws and knives, so that pupils cannot access them, and appropriate facilities for handwashing and

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Risk assessment

As a result, the standards in this part are unlikely 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 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 processes are well considered and reflect safer recruitment guidance. Leaders have a secure understanding of the appropriate checks that need to be made prior to staff commencing work.

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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 co-proprietors have a secure understanding of recruitment processes and ensure 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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Toilet and washing facilities, water supply, changing accommodation

Changing facilities are available for pupils. However, current toilet facilities do not provide the required cold water for flushing, and a lack of hot water means that pupils cannot wash their hands and maintain appropriate levels of hygiene. Therefore, the toilet and washing facilities do not fulfil the requirements of the ISS. Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 6

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

A medical room space has been established, which includes a fold-out bed for the short-term use of pupils who need it. There are adequate first-aid supplies available, including a locked cupboard for prescribed medicines. However, this room is not sufficiently close to a toilet or handwashing facilities, which is a requirement of the ISS.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proposed school site does not ensure the health, safety and welfare of pupils.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school does not have sufficient learning space for the proposed number of 30 pupils, nor to cater for the proposed age range of pupils from the early years up to age 11. This is primarily because one intended learning space, ‘The Bubble’, is still under construction. A double-decker bus has been adapted to become an engaging classroom space. However, some of these adaptations are not yet complete, which means they pose a potential risk to pupils. For example, a top- floor window has not been secured to prevent this from posing a safety hazard to pupils, and the lower-floor fire exit has not been adapted to suit primary-aged pupils and allow them to exit safely. At the time of the inspection, appropriate lighting and heating conditions could not be verified. Some other structures, including ‘The Roundhouse’, also lack adequate lighting.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Across the site, fire safety equipment is not readily available in all areas required and, where this is available, the site is not maintained to ensure that staff and pupils can access it readily in case of an emergency. Insufficient signage means that pupils would not be directed clearly enough to fire assembly points, fire exits are not appropriately adapted for primary-aged pupils to exit safely, and there are not sufficient means for pupils or staff to raise an alarm across the breadth of the proposed school site.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

A lack of appropriate toilet facilities, and a lack of access to warm water, means that pupils cannot wash their hands and maintain appropriate levels of hygiene.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

These practices mean that leaders have not taken the steps they need to ensure the welfare, health and safety of pupils. As a result, the standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the school is registered.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

At the time of the inspection, appropriate lighting and heating conditions in the double-decker bus could not be ascertained as there was not a generator connected to provide power. A further structure, known as ‘The Roundhouse’, also lacked adequate lighting. Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 7 As a result, the standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the school is registered.

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Outdoor space

There is extensive open space for pupils to play across the expanse of the forest- based site. This includes some open land, as well as designated spaces including a performance area, and an outside playground area.

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Outdoor space

There is sufficient space for physical education, although the sloping nature of the school site makes the range of potential activities in some spaces slightly more limited. However, a range of physical activities are planned, including archery, climbing and sensory play.

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Outdoor space

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

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Part 6. Provision of information

The intended school does not have a website. A range of policies, including admissions, curriculum, personal, social, health and economic learning and relationships education policies, are available to parents on request.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders intend to build positive partnerships with parents based on ongoing verbal and written reports. Reports of pupils’ conduct and how they are progressing within their subjects will be shared with parents regularly. At least annually, leaders intend to provide parents with a formal written report.

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Part 6. Provision of information

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

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

A suitable complaints policy has been established, which meets the relevant requirements of the standards. The policy clearly explains how the school will manage complaints through informal and then formal stages. Clear timescales for managing complaints are also identified. The co-proprietor intends to maintain close oversight of any informal or formal complaints to the school.

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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

The school does not have an accessibility plan. As a result, the standards are unlikely to be met if the school is registered. Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 8

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Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

Leaders’ plans for the learning and development requirements of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) are well considered. Leaders have developed an appropriate curriculum that supports children’s development of communication and language, physical development and their personal, social and emotional development. They intend to use the extensive outdoor space to supplement this learning, so that children can develop their understanding through the natural environment. These components of the EYFS are likely to meet the ISS.

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Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

However, the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the EYFS are unlikely to be met. Partly, this is because the intended early years classroom space, ‘The Bubble’, is not fully constructed and therefore there is no space for children to access the intended learning. In addition, the same components of the site that mean that Part 3, welfare, health and safety of pupils standards are unlikely to be met are again relevant here. This is especially in relation to the lack of appropriate toilet and washing facilities, and the absence of an area adequately equipped to provide for the hygienic preparation of healthy meals, snacks and drinks for children as necessary.

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Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

As a result, therefore, the statutory requirements of the EYFS, as well as the ISS, are unlikely 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.

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About this inspection

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 inspectors checked the suitability of the proposed premises during their site check. They met with the headteacher, who is also a co-proprietor, and other staff. The lead inspector also met with the lead adviser of the proposed school’s advisory committee. Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 9 The inspectors 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 inspectors 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 inspectors confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

The proposed school will operate from the grounds of Ambleford Cottage, Lamberhurst Quarter, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 8AT. The site currently operates as a form of unregistered alternative provision 2 days a week for primary-aged pupils, and also as an outdoor learning provision for ‘Forest and Farm Days’ on other days during the week.

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About this inspection

The proprietor is Ambleford Ltd, which has two co-directors: Emily Bradshaw, who is also the headteacher, and James Bradshaw.

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About this inspection

The school does not intend to use any forms of alternative provision.

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About this proposed school

Proprietor Ambleford Ltd Headteacher Emily Bradshaw Type of school Other independent school Capacity 30

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 4 to 11 Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: Mixed

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per week

Provider’s proposal: 25 Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 10

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teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 1 Annual fees for day pupils £12,000 to 17,250 Email address emily@ambleford.com

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils;  24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including- – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility;  25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured. Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 11  27 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that-

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 27(a) the lighting in each room or other internal space is suitable, having regard to the nature of the activities which normally take place therein; and  28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 28(1)(a) suitable drinking water facilities are provided; – 28(1)(b) toilets and urinals have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water;  28(2) The facilities provided under sub-paragraph (1)(a) will be suitable only if- – 28(2)(a) they are readily accessible at all times when the premises are in use; and  29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable- – 29(1)(a) physical education to be provided to pupils in accordance with the school curriculum; and

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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 – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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Equality Act 2010

 3(1)The responsible body of a school in England and Wales must prepare—  (a)an accessibility plan;  (b)further such plans at such times as may be prescribed.  (2)An accessibility plan is a plan for, over a prescribed period—  (a)increasing the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the school’s curriculum,  (b)improving the physical environment of the school for the purpose of increasing the extent to which disabled pupils are able to take advantage of education and benefits, facilities or services provided or offered by the school, and Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 12  (c)improving the delivery to disabled pupils of information which is readily accessible to pupils who are not disabled.  (3)The delivery in sub-paragraph (2)(c) must be—  (a)within a reasonable time;  (b)in ways which are determined after taking account of the pupils’ disabilities and any preferences expressed by them or their parents.

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Equality Act 2010

 (4)An accessibility plan must be in writing.  (5)The responsible body must keep its accessibility plan under review during the period to which it relates and, if necessary, revise it.  (6)The responsible body must implement its accessibility plan.  (7)A relevant inspection may extend to the performance by the responsible body of its functions in relation to the preparation, publication, review, revision and implementation of its accessibility plan.  (8)A relevant inspection is an inspection under—  (a)Part 1 of the Education Act 2005, or  (b)Chapter 1 of Part 4 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 (regulation and inspection of independent education provision in England).  4(1)In preparing an accessibility plan, the responsible body must have regard to the need to allocate adequate resources for implementing the plan.  (2)The proprietor of an independent educational institution (other than an

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Equality Act 2010

Academy) must, if asked, make a copy of the school’s accessibility plan available for inspection at such reasonable times as the proprietor decides.  (3)The proprietor of an independent educational institution in England (other than an Academy) must, if asked by a Minister of the Crown, give the Minister a copy of the school’s accessibility plan.  (4)The proprietor of an independent school in Wales (other than an Academy) must, if asked by the Welsh Ministers, give them a copy of the school’s accessibility plan.

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Early years foundation stage

 3.58  3.59  3.71  3.77  3.79  3.80 Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 13  3.81  3.82  3.83  3.86 Ambleford School, 10 July 2026 14 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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Early years foundation stage

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Early years foundation stage

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Early years foundation stage

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