SENDSCOPE

SENDSCOPE, 9 July 2026 1 SENDSCOPE Liverpool Road, Crosby, Liverpool L23 5TF

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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 from 32 to 40 pupils.

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report:

The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards (ISS) 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 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 has ensured that the school’s governing body comprises of members who have specific skills to match their roles. For example, governors have backgrounds in school leadership, safeguarding and health care. Members of this board check to make sure the school complies with the ISS and helps to keep proprietors up to date with any changes.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor assures itself about the quality of provision at the school through reviews of the school’s effectiveness, both through the expertise of governors and through external quality assurance partners. The proprietor and school leaders SENDSCOPE, 9 July 2026 2 engage well with other agencies who provide feedback to the school. The proprietor and leaders are willing to learn and improve. They demonstrate a positive capacity and desire to continue to develop the school’s provision.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor ensures that there is a continual focus on meeting the needs of each individual pupil, including for their wellbeing. This ensures that the proprietor is well informed about pupils’ welfare and safety. All decisions are made in the best interests of pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The arrangements for the induction of new staff ensure that all are aware of the school’s approach to behaviour management and safeguarding before working with pupils. The proprietor has well-considered plans for recruiting additional staff should the proposed material change be approved.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that the standard in this part is likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Safeguarding

At SENDSCOPE, safeguarding is a high priority. Leaders have ensured that the school’s safeguarding policy takes into account the most recent guidance published by the Secretary of State. It provides staff with clear support on how to handle any safeguarding concerns. This policy is published on the school’s website.

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Safeguarding

Leaders ensure that staff have frequent updates and staff meetings to promote a vigilant safeguarding culture.

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Health and safety, fire, first aid and risk assessment

The school’s health and safety policy is backed by a range of checks on electrical and gas installations.

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Health and safety, fire, first aid and risk assessment

The site is kept in a good state of repair. Regular maintenance checks are carried out to ensure that the environment is safe, organised and purposeful.

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Health and safety, fire, first aid and risk assessment

The school’s risk assessments are thorough. Leaders have ensured that there is a comprehensive risk assessment policy to guide staff when identifying risks and control measures. This ensures that risk assessments are of a consistently high quality. There are a number of suitable assessments for different aspects of the school site and for off-site trips and activities. SENDSCOPE, 9 July 2026 3 The school has a suitable fire risk assessment in place. The proprietor ensures routine checks of fire-fighting equipment and emergency lighting are undertaken annually by professional contractors.

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Health and safety, fire, first aid and risk assessment

The school maintains a high staff-to-pupil ratio and plans to keep this level of staffing if the material change is approved. Leaders ensure that there are appropriate measures in place for staff recruitment, and arrangements for the supervision of pupils at breaktimes are well thought out.

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Health and safety, fire, first aid and risk assessment

The proprietor has ensured that the standards checked in this part are likely to be met should the material change be granted.

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

Leaders ensure that of all the required checks are completed when recruiting staff. They have stringent measures in place to ensure that new staff are suitable for the roles they have been appointed to. These are completed prior to staff starting to work at the school.

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

The checks on supply staff are equally rigorous. The school seeks assurances from supply agencies that all requirements are met before these staff work with pupils at the school.

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

All members of the proprietor body and of the governing body undergo the appropriate checks before commencing their roles.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor ensures that the single central record (SCR) is well maintained and consistently kept up to date. The designated safeguarding lead and safeguarding governor review the SCR frequently. This provides the proprietor with assurance that the record is accurate and compliant with statutory guidance.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record is kept securely in electronic form.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met should the material change be granted.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

The school currently occupies the first floor of a building that is separate from, but co-located with, a local high school. The school has leased 2 additional classrooms SENDSCOPE, 9 July 2026 4 to ensure that it has more than adequate space to cater for the proposed increase in pupil numbers.

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and showers

Pupils have access to toilets that are suitable for individual use and are lockable from the inside.

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and showers

As part of their lease, the school has access to changing and shower facilities at the neighbouring high school.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The staffroom incorporates a designated medical area for pupils, with a screen provided to preserve pupils’ dignity if required. This space includes a washing facility and is located close to a toilet.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proprietor has ensured that emergency lighting is in place and that fire-fighting equipment is checked annually. All fire escape routes are clearly signed.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school undertakes cyclic maintenance to ensure that the quality of the environment is maintained to a high standard. The proprietor has successfully established a comfortable environment in which pupils can learn. The lighting and acoustics are suitable throughout.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Drinking water is provided from a specified cooler and is appropriately signed.

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Outdoor space

The building incorporates a large multipurpose hall that is used for physical education and drama. There are small outdoor spaces available to pupils that are immediately accessible from classrooms. Additionally, the proprietor has also arranged access to the playing fields at the neighbouring high school.

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Outdoor space

The proprietor has ensured that the standards checked in this part are likely to be met should the material change be granted.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. SENDSCOPE, 9 July 2026 5 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 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 inspector spoke with the proprietors, the chair of the governing body, the headteacher, the designated safeguarding lead and 2 other members of staff.

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About this inspection

The school proposes to continue to admit pupils who have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other special educational needs and/or disabilities, including speech, language and communication difficulties. Most pupils have an education, health and care plan.

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About this inspection

The school does not use any alternative provision.

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About this inspection

This is the third material change inspection for this school. Previous material change inspections took place on 12 June 2025 and 25 July 2025.

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proprietor body

SENDSCOPE Ltd Jacqueline Bebbington and Natalie Walsh

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proprietor body

Type of school Other independent special school

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 SENDSCOPE, 9 July 2026 6 Gender of pupils Mixed

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compulsory school age on roll

Email address office@sendscope.co.uk SENDSCOPE, 9 July 2026 7 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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