Emerge School

Emerge School, 30 June 2026 1 Emerge School Elgin Chambers, 22–24 Cemetery Road, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 2DL

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inspection report:

Overall outcome The school meets all of the independent school standards that were checked during this inspection

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inspection report:

At its most recent inspection, the school was judged to not meet all of the independent school standards and associated requirements.

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inspection report:

The purpose of this inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards (ISS) and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out progress monitoring inspections of independent schools, we report on the school’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

At the time of the previous inspection, the school failed to meet a number of the standards across parts 1, 3 and 5, including those relating to pupils’ welfare, health and safety. The inspector found that the proprietor had not ensured that those responsible for the leadership and management of the school possessed the necessary knowledge, skills and oversight to secure sustained compliance with the independent school standards. Consequently, leaders had been unable to ensure that statutory requirements were consistently met or that pupils’ welfare was effectively promoted.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Since that time, the proprietor has prioritised making necessary changes to improve the school. This work has included leaders drafting and implementing an acceptable action plan. These actions have included improving structures for leadership and governance of the school. Leaders are now established in their roles and take greater responsibility for Emerge School, 30 June 2026 2 monitoring the quality of provision and evaluating its impact. The revised leadership structures and clear lines of accountability have improved the effectiveness of oversight across the school. An executive board has been established, and this board now provides the proprietor with a more accurate and comprehensive view of the school’s performance.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The school’s senior leadership team has implemented the school improvement action plan with a sense of urgency. Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, enabling leaders to monitor compliance and the quality of provision more rigorously. Leaders have taken appropriate and timely action to make improvements to the school’s curriculum, health and safety procedures and necessary revisions to features of the school premises.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are now met.

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Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment

At the previous inspection, the school’s plans to implement careers education were underdeveloped and lacked sufficient coherence. Arrangements for providing impartial careers guidance were at an early stage and had not been embedded into practice. Consequently, secondary-aged pupils did not receive accurate, current or impartial careers information.

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Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment

Leaders have made necessary improvements to the quality of careers education and guidance across the school. A revised careers programme has been established and is now implemented effectively. Leaders have made clear links between the academic curriculum and careers education, ensuring that pupils see how their learning connects to future opportunities. Staff use these opportunities to raise pupils’ aspirations.

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Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment

Leaders have introduced a commercial scheme of work to support the careers curriculum. Pupils in key stage 3 now benefit from a weekly careers lesson. Their learning is also enhanced by the work of an independent careers adviser, who provides targeted support across the school. This has enabled pupils in the secondary phase of education to develop personalised career plans that raise their aspirations and help them work towards their potential.

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Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are now met.

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Safeguarding

At the time of the last inspection, the school’s safeguarding arrangements were found to be effective. Since then, leaders have ensured that the school continues to maintain a positive and effective safeguarding culture. The school’s safeguarding policies reflect the Emerge School, 30 June 2026 3 latest guidance from the Secretary of State and are published on the school’s website. Robust systems promote a vigilant safeguarding culture, underpinned by clear leadership and well-defined responsibilities. This helps ensure that pupils feel safe at school.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor has ensured that the standard in this part continues to be met.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

At the previous inspection, weaknesses were found in the school’s first-aid, and health and safety procedures. Staff lacked sufficient knowledge of the location of first-aid equipment, which was not consistently stored in accessible locations. In addition, fire safety arrangements were not managed appropriately. The school’s health and safety policy was not being implemented effectively, and leaders had not taken adequate steps to maintain oversight of site safety.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

Since the previous inspection, leaders have taken swift action to improve the school’s health and safety arrangements. They have reviewed staff roles and responsibilities, resulting in clearer lines of accountability for oversight of the premises. Health and safety audits are now carried out systematically. These include regular checks on a range of features, such as welfare facilities, electrical safety and site maintenance. As a result, leaders ensure that the premises provide a safe and well-maintained environment for pupils.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

Leaders have implemented a comprehensive fire safety strategy, informed by specialist external advice. An up-to-date fire risk assessment identifies potential risks and confirms that appropriate control measures are in place. Actions identified at the previous inspection have been completed. For example, an emergency door release button has been repositioned to improve accessibility and a ramp on the evacuation route has been replaced. Leaders now demonstrate a better awareness of fire safety responsibilities. They have trained staff in procedures for fire evacuation but recognise the value of developing an even more systematic approach to practising fire evacuation drills.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

The school implements its first-aid policy effectively. Since the last inspection, leaders have put systems in place to better manage the administration of first aid. They have ensured that staff understand the school’s policy and how to put it into practice. Leaders maintain accurate records that demonstrate the consistent implementation of the school’s procedures. They regularly monitor activities to assure that first-aid arrangements remain effective.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

Pupils are supervised effectively throughout the school day. The school applies a policy to ensure that pupils are never left unattended. Positive relationships between staff and pupils contribute to a calm, orderly and supportive environment where pupils feel safe and secure. Staff provide particularly effective supervision for pupils with more complex needs, including those who are non-verbal, ensuring that established routines promote their safety, wellbeing and engagement. Emerge School, 30 June 2026 4 The school’s risk assessment policy reflects a comprehensive approach to identifying, managing and reviewing potential risks. Leaders assess risks across all aspects of the school’s premises and provision, including specialist areas such as water safety and the management of legionella. Risk assessments take full account of pupils’ individual needs. For example, leaders have carefully assessed the risks associated with pupils arriving and

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Health and safety, fire and first aid, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

leaving the school by taxi. They have implemented clear procedures that minimise these risks. Staff understand these procedures well and apply them consistently.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are now met.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

At the time of the previous inspection, the school did not have suitable accommodation for the treatment and care of sick and injured pupils. The designated room did not contain first-aid equipment and was not situated close to a toilet.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

Leaders have now relocated the medical room to ensure that it meets the required standards. The room includes a washbasin, is situated close to toilet facilities. It is suitably equipped to support the administration of medicines and first aid. Equipment includes a medical examination couch and appropriate medical supplies.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are now met.

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conditions

At the last inspection, the condition of the school premises did not meet the expected standards to ensure pupils’ safety. The inspector identified several environmental hazards, such as a broken light and unsafe electrical items. Leaders had not maintained the premises to a sufficiently high standard or ensured that potential hazards were identified and remedied promptly.

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conditions

Leaders took swift action to improve the school’s premises and address the findings of the previous inspection. They have now established effective systems and checks to ensure that the premises are maintained to the necessary standard. As far as is reasonably practicable, leaders ensure that premises management supports the health, safety and welfare of all pupils.

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conditions

Leaders have improved external lighting since the previous inspection. The playground is served by three operational external lights. In addition, the defective light in the staff car park identified during the previous inspection has been replaced.

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conditions

Leaders have improved the outdoor environment to ensure that it is suitable for the needs of pupils. Risks identified at the previous inspection in relation to the original boundary Emerge School, 30 June 2026 5 fencing have been effectively addressed through the installation of an additional internal safety fence. The outdoor area is now well maintained, free from significant hazards and provides pupils with a safe and appropriate space for play and recreation.

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conditions

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are now met.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has an accessibility plan that fulfils the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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About this inspection

The inspector carried out this inspection under sections 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspector checked the school’s 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 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.

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About this inspection

The inspection was conducted without notice.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with a representative of the proprietor board, the headteacher, other senior leaders and members of staff. He also spoke with a group of pupils.

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About this inspection

This was the first progress monitoring inspection since the material change inspection that took place on 9 January 2026. The school’s most recent standard inspection was in June 2024.

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About this inspection

After the material change inspection on 9 January 2026, the Department for Education required the school to prepare an action plan. This action plan was evaluated by Ofsted on 16 April 2026. The Department for Education accepted the action plan on 5 May 2026.

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Lead inspector

Jonathan Leonard His Majesty’s Inspector

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Chair of the proprietor body

Emerge Care and Therapeutic Solutions Limited

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Chair of the proprietor body

Carl Holness Headteacher Sarah Mason Emerge School, 30 June 2026 6 Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 40

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 5 to 13 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £47,500 to £75,600 Email address richardwood@emergeschool.co.uk

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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(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that– – 2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner; – 2(2)(e)(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options; and – 2(2)(e)(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential; – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Emerge School, 30 June 2026 7  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.  13 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.  14 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that pupils are properly

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff.  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 and accommodation at schools

 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)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; – 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; and  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.  27 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 27(b) external lighting is provided in order to ensure that people can safely enter and leave the school premises.  29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable

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Part 5. Premises and accommodation at schools

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 – 29(1)(b) pupils to play outside.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- Emerge School, 30 June 2026 8 – 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request;

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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. Emerge School, 30 June 2026 9 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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