Cockburn Reach Academy

Cockburn Reach Academy, 10 July 2026 1 Cockburn Reach Academy Northcote Crescent, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS11 6NN

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented.

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report:

This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), which is the registration authority for independent schools. The school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration. The school proposes to change the maximum number of pupils attending.

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report:

The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school's compliance with the independent school standards that are relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out material change inspections of independent schools, we report on the school'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 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 is ardent in ensuring a nurturing, high-quality education for the pupils of Cockburn Reach Academy. The proprietor understands the requirements of the standards in full. The school has clear, highly robust systems in place to ensure that the standards continue to be met.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders demonstrate secure knowledge and skills appropriate to their roles. The proprietor has made sensible strategic decisions such as appointing well-qualified and experienced senior and middle leaders to lead the school as it grows. Cockburn Reach Academy, 10 July 2026 2 There is a clear rationale for the proposed material change request. The proposed increase in pupil numbers will meet a local area need for additional special school places serving pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has carefully considered the impact of the proposed material change on the staff and pupils in the school and trust. Due to the specific vulnerabilities of the pupils, the proprietor is determined to ensure a steady increase in pupils over two sites. The proprietor also recognises the importance of ensuring a strongly collaborative approach between Cockburn Reach Academy and Cockburn Haigh Road Academy so that any new pupils and staff fit in seamlessly with the existing pupil population at Haigh Road.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has made sure that the school’s accommodation and facilities are appropriate to support the proposed increase in pupil numbers.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor intends to continue to expand staff capacity and expertise to maintain current staff/pupil ratios. Leaders have established detailed, well- considered plans for recruitment which aim to be enacted once the material change request has been approved.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders have taken appropriate steps to actively promote the wellbeing of the pupils, their families and staff. The designated safeguarding leader (DSL) and deputy DSLs work closely with staff to ensure a strong culture of vigilance that keeps pupils safe.

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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 proposed material change is approved.

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Safeguarding

The school has a positive safeguarding culture. A carefully designed programme of regular training ensures that staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities well. The DSL routinely checks staff’s safeguarding knowledge. This keeps safeguarding high on the school’s agenda.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding leaders prioritise the welfare, health and safety of pupils and staff. The school has secure systems in place to record and escalate safeguarding concerns. Staff know how to recognise when pupils may be at risk of harm. They understand how to refer any concerns that they may have and how to assure themselves that appropriate action has been taken. Cockburn Reach Academy, 10 July 2026 3 The school’s safeguarding and safer recruitment policies are up to date and comply with current statutory guidance.

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Health and safety and fire

Leaders have written a comprehensive health and safety policy. This is available on the school website. It ensures that the school complies with relevant health and safety laws. Regular health and safety checks ensure that the building and facilities are well maintained and fit for purpose.

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Health and safety and fire

The proprietor keeps a close oversight on health and safety through well- considered trust-wide systems. It also ensures that all staff receive rigorous health and safety training as part of the staff induction programme.

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Health and safety and fire

The school complies fully with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The site displays clear fire signage. This includes signs to show the locations of fire exits, evacuation routes and fire assembly points. Leaders ensure that fire equipment is checked regularly. These checks are recorded in detail. In addition, comprehensive records show that all fire equipment is inspected as required.

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Supervision and risk assessment

The proprietor intends to continue to expand staff capacity and expertise to maintain current staff/pupil ratios. Leaders plan to ensure that pupils are supervised appropriately throughout the school day, including when they are moving around the shared buildings and when they are using the school grounds. Leaders have detailed and well-considered plans to ensure that all trust staff understand their responsibilities for pupil supervision. This includes setting out clear staff-to-pupil ratios and making clear expectations for breaktime and lunch supervision duties.

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Supervision and risk assessment

Leaders have produced a wide range of appropriate written risk assessments. These are underpinned by an effective risk assessment policy. Leaders understand the principles of effective risk assessment well. They know how to apply these principles to identify possible risks to pupil and staff safety. Risk assessments show that leaders take appropriate action to mitigate identified risks.

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Supervision and risk assessment

The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved.

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

Cockburn Reach Academy, 10 July 2026 4 The proprietor has ensured that leaders comply with the trust’s safer recruitment policy. This provides detailed information on the safer recruitment process and sets out clear roles and responsibilities. This includes using a suitably qualified human resources professional to support the school’s work when appointing staff.

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

The proprietor ensures that the school carries out all appropriate recruitment checks on adults who work with pupils in the school. This ensures that adults are safe to work with children.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The school maintains an appropriate single central record of the recruitment checks. This record contains all the necessary information of the different checks that the school has completed.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved.

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showers

The proposed premises includes appropriate toilet facilities. These are all lockable from the inside and only for use by one person at a time. The facilities have hot and cold running water. The temperature of the hot water is regulated appropriately. It does not pose a scalding risk.

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showers

Drinking water is provided from taps which are clearly marked as safe to drink. These are separate from toilet facilities. Leaders also provide bottled water for pupils to drink.

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showers

The school has suitable changing accommodation and a shower for pupils to use if needed.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils' therapy needs

The school has a well-furnished and well-equipped medical room. It has access to changing facilities, a toilet and a shower. This room provides a comfortable and private space for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils. The proprietor intends that all staff, when appointed, will have appropriate first aid training.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Cockburn Reach Academy, 10 July 2026 5 The additional premises is set in a spacious site in the small town of Rothwell. The rear of the school provides an idyllic and peaceful environment. The proprietor has ensured that the school buildings are maintained to a high standard. The accommodation is very well decorated and furnished appropriately to meet the needs of pupils.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proposed site consists of an Edwardian school which has been extended over time. Most notably, renovations took place in the 1970s and again in recent years. The site now consists of several classrooms, a library, administration areas and shared spaces such as a multi-use hall. The site has several spacious, well- maintained, but unused, classrooms which the proprietor proposes to use.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Leaders have established effective systems to check the accommodation regularly for wear and tear. Suitably qualified contractors and trust staff are readily available to carry out any necessary repairs so that the school buildings continue to be well maintained.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The classrooms and other indoor spaces are bright and airy. They have suitable lighting. Leaders have ensured that the acoustic conditions are appropriate and suitable for the primary age pupils.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

There is ample external lighting around the school site to ensure the safety of pupils and staff when it is dark.

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Outdoor space

The proposed site is surrounded by well-kept, separated playgrounds. The proprietor intends that one of these is delineated for the use of Cockburn Reach Academy. Cockburn Reach Academy and Cockburn Haigh Road Academy propose a suitable timetable to use the school’s pleasant, grassed area at separate times.

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Outdoor space

The school grounds have ample space for physical education. Leaders also make use of a local leisure centre to provide swimming lessons for pupils.

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Outdoor space

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved.

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The school's accessibility plan

The proprietor has ensured that the school complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. There is a suitable accessibility plan for the school. Cockburn Reach Academy, 10 July 2026 6

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About this inspection

The inspector carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspector 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 updated inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

The proposed site at Cockburn Haigh Road Academy, Haigh Road, Rothwell, Leeds has suitable, excess education-appropriate accommodation. Cockburn Multi- Academy Trust wishes to use the available space for the benefit of Cockburn Reach Academy. Cockburn Reach Academy would then operate from this site and Northcote Crescent, Leeds.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with members of the proprietor body including the chief executive officer of Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust and one trustee, the headteacher and deputy headteacher, two members of the governing body and other MAT-wide school leaders during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

This is a special school. It caters for pupils with communication and interaction and/or mild-moderate social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils' places are commissioned by their home local authority.

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About this inspection

The school does not currently use any alternative provision.

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About this school

Proprietor Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust Headteacher Alison Quinn Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 40 (proposal to increase to 80)

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compulsory school age on roll

40 (proposal to increase to 80) Cockburn Reach Academy, 10 July 2026 7

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 5 to 11 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £29.575 Email address quinna@cockburnreach.org Cockburn Reach Academy, 10 July 2026 8 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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compulsory school age on roll

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compulsory school age on roll

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compulsory school age on roll

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