Elmtree Sands School

Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 1 Elmtree Sands School C/O Plymouth Marjon University, Derriford Road, Plymouth PL6 8BH

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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 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 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.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor oversees another school and some unregistered alternative provisions. It plans to use its existing systems in its other school to provide an oversight on how well the school is consistently meeting the independent school standards (ISS). Leaders intend to do half termly data drops to provide information on many aspects of the school, such as safeguarding patterns, attendance, use of restrictive interventions and how well pupils are learning. In addition, the school has a service level agreement with a contractor to support the health and safety aspect of the standards. However, the proprietor does not yet have the full lease to the building and is currently under a ‘lease to occupy’. As a result, the proprietor has not yet completed the statutory checks, such as a health and safety and fire risk assessment to ensure that the building is safe for the pupils and staff who will attend. As a result, there are not appropriate risk

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

assessments and procedures in place to ensure that the health and safety policy is implemented effectively. In addition, some aspects of the curriculum are Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 2 underdeveloped. This includes the intent around ensuring that pupils are taught the relationships and sex education (RSE) and health curriculum that meets statutory requirements. Leaders have not fully considered how pupils will develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has appointed a head of school who is due to take up their post on 1 August 2026. This member of staff will be supported by weekly meetings with the director of schools, who already works with other settings run by the proprietor. This is designed to support leaders in understanding the effectiveness of the school’s policies and procedures, as well as the curriculum in place.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The ISS in this part are unlikely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Curriculum

The curriculum policy and schemes of work set out the knowledge that leaders intend pupils to learn across a range of subjects. Leaders will consider the needs of pupils on entry to identify which ‘journey’ of learning pupils will study. Different curriculums will be decided upon, between informal, pre-formal or formal, based on pupils’ starting points. Across the different ‘journeys’, leaders will ensure that pupils develop their knowledge in English and mathematics. The curriculum is designed to lead to qualifications, such as functional skills, and leaders have registered with the appropriate examination boards.

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Curriculum

Leaders plan to make sure that pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported through the adaptation of the curriculum to meet their needs. On entry, staff will identify pupils’ gaps in knowledge and barriers to learning to plan an individualised approach to their learning. This includes support for pupils’ social, emotional and mental health through the development of emotional literacy. This plan will also weave in the provision and outcomes outlined in pupils’ education, health and care plans.

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Curriculum

The personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme is intended to support pupils’ health, wellbeing and relationships, and living in the wider world. However, the curriculum is disjointed between the primary and secondary age- range. Leaders have not yet considered carefully enough how these curriculums support each other or how pupils with different starting points across key stages 2 and 3 will be supported to close gaps in learning, including if they have spent extended periods out of school. While there is some consideration about how pupils will be taught the RSE curriculum, this is not clearly outlined in the school’s policy. In addition, the policy does not make clear the consultation with parents Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 3 and carers, their right to withdraw and how parents would request this from the school.

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Curriculum

Pupils will learn about careers, such as undertaking work experience and working alongside the university. They will have access to independent careers advice. This is designed to ensure that pupils have a destination secured to continue their education when they leave the school at the end of Year 11.

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Curriculum

Pupils will learn about the importance of the fundamental British values to be prepared for life in modern Britain. For example, the school has posters up in the communal areas to remind them about the importance of showing respect to others. Leaders intend for pupils to have a lived experience of democracy, such as through voting for school council representatives, as well as taking part in youth parliament.

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Teaching

Leaders intend to support the teaching of the curriculum through the recruitment of staff with the appropriate qualifications, including subject-specific expertise. They plan to use an approach to teaching they have adopted in their other school. This includes an intended consistent approach to the lesson design, such as revisiting prior knowledge at the start of lessons. Leaders will support staff in developing their expertise through support and coaching with an ‘open door’ policy. They will use this to identify staff training needs.

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Assessment

Leaders have systems in place to check pupils’ starting points on entry to the school. They will use this information to identify gaps in knowledge across subjects. Teaching staff will check understanding regularly through ‘quizzes’ to check how well pupils are learning the curriculum. Adjustments will be made to the curriculum to support gaps in knowledge or if pupils are struggling to learn new concepts. Leaders will review this half termly to keep an oversight of how well pupils are learning. This information will be shared with pupils and parents and carers.

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Assessment

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

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pupils

Leaders have not considered well enough how pupils will secure their spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding and how this will be supported for pupils’ Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 4 different ages and starting points. Leaders have identified some visits and some curriculum resources, such as book choices, but this is underdeveloped. As a result, pupils will have too few opportunities to develop their understanding, including their knowledge of different faiths and cultures to promote mutual respect and tolerance. This does not prepare pupils well for life in modern Britain.

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pupils

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

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Safeguarding

The safeguarding policy follows statutory guidance. It sets out the responsibilities of the safeguarding team, including the training that these staff members need to fulfil their roles. The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy designated safeguarding lead are in post. While the DSL’s training is due to expire with a break before it is renewed, the proprietor’s central team will cover the summer break, which is stated in the school’s policy. The process to report any concerns is clear, using an electronic system. New staff will be trained to use this system on induction. The safeguarding team will have regular oversight of any concerns raised. Weekly meetings are proposed to take place to ensure that pupils at risk of harm are getting the support they need.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The behaviour policy outlines the school’s approach to the management of behaviour, which is rooted in relational practice. Pupils will be encouraged to reflect, such as with the use of ‘green and red choices’. Leaders will design individualised bespoke support for pupils to help them to succeed. These will focus on where pupils are most successful, and work with pupils to understand where they may need more support. The school has an electronic logging system to record any serious incidents or use of restrictive physical intervention. This includes ensuring that parents and carers are informed. Leaders will check for patterns that may need action and ensure that staff are trained in its chosen approach on induction to the school.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

Leaders have considered the supervision of pupil-to-staff ratios. Pupils will be taught in classes of 6 to 8, with one teacher and one learning mentor. For pupils with more complex needs, classrooms will benefit from additional adults where needed. As the school recruits staff with specific subject expertise, these will add to the adults in the classrooms. During social times, pupils will be supported with known adults, keeping an appropriate pupil-to-staff ratio. Social spaces are in place and will support different age ranges, such as dedicated Year 10 and 11 spaces. Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 5

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Anti-bullying

The anti-bullying policy gives a clear definition of bullying. This includes the different types of bullying that pupils could encounter, such as prejudicial or cyber bullying. Leaders have a clear intent around the prevention of bullying, such as through the PSHE curriculum and anti-bullying week. The policy shows the procedures in place to manage concerns. These include the focus on developing positive relationships between staff and pupils so that pupils feel comfortable in sharing any worries. Staff will investigate and support any concerns raised and follow up with pupils to ensure that concerns are resolved. There is a clear process to record any bullying concerns so that leaders are aware of issues arising in the school.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The health and safety policy sets out the procedures to support the health, safety and welfare of the pupils and staff who will attend. The policy includes the systems and checks in place, such as water testing and the management of hazardous substances. However, some of these checks are not yet in place. For example, the fire call point weekly checks are not completed and uploaded onto the school’s intended electronic system. The school does not have adequate signage for all fire exits and evacuation routes, or indicating the water that is safe to drink.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The fire safety arrangements are set out in the school’s fire safety policy. This policy makes clear the training that is in place for current staff, such as the site supervisor in their role as the fire safety officer. The policy outlines the evacuation procedures. However, the school has not yet had a fire safety audit to identify and manage any risks related to fire. As a result, the proprietor is not clear about possible risks or if the current arrangements are adequate. For example, the signage across the building does not support pupils and staff well enough to evacuate safely from the building. This puts pupils and staff at increased risk of harm.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The first aid policy outlines the school’s approach to managing any first aid incidents. This includes how medicines will be stored securely in the medical room. Current members of staff are trained to provide first aid. Staff new to the school will receive the same training on induction. Any administration of first aid will be recorded on an electronic system. This is intended to provide oversight for leaders about any trends or patterns.

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Admissions and attendance

Leaders plan to use an electronic system to record the information required for admissions as well as attendance. This will ensure that the school holds accurate Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 6 and up-to-date records about the pupils who attend. The attendance policy sets out how the school will manage attendance, including the accurate use of national codes. Leaders will meet weekly to review how well pupils attend, including those pupils who are part of a phased entry to support a successful start to the school. They will review patterns and trends of absence and will provide support to pupils and families who may need it.

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Risk assessment

The proprietor has an appropriate risk assessment policy. This policy states that risk assessments are undertaken for areas where significant risk is identified or could potentially occur. However, the policy is not yet implemented effectively. The proprietor has not yet undertaken assessments relating to the general health and safety of the building, including fire safety arrangements. This puts pupils and staff at increased risk.

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Risk assessment

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

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

Leaders have ensured that the required pre-employment and vetting checks are completed for the proprietor and staff currently employed. These checks will be undertaken for new staff members. All checks follow statutory guidance. These include criminal records checks and checks to ensure individuals are not prohibited from teaching. Leaders also look at a person’s social media presence to gain further assurances about their suitability.

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

The proprietor has undergone the required suitability checks, such as confirming their identity and checking they are not prohibited from taking part in the management of a school.

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

Leaders do not intend to use supply staff. They assert that there will be sufficient staff capacity to cover any staff absence.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

Leaders keep an electronic single central record that meets statutory requirements. It shows clearly any gaps in recruitment checks and alerts leaders if any aspect needs updating, such as an update to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The system records the dates of checks and stores the evidence to show what has been seen and verified. This provides a clear and reliable record of the school’s approach to safer recruitment. Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 7 The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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and showers

The proprietor has ensured that pupils will have access to suitable toilets and handwashing facilities. Pupils have dedicated changing rooms with showers available to use after physical education. The proprietor is planning to provide water bottle filling stations across the site so that drinking water is readily available.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The medical room includes a bed and wash basin. This is located near toilets, giving pupils access to essential facilities. The school has first aid supplies available in case of an emergency. Staff will secure medication in a lockable cabinet or lockable fridge.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school is appropriately accessible to pupils and staff. This includes a lift that supports movement between the 2 floors of the building. Wide corridors and doorways also ease movement around the school. Hazardous materials will be locked in a secure room, including those used as part of learning in science. These will be stored securely with appropriate compliance checks in place. The current lease holder is due to undertake building work to make the outdoor space more secure. They will increase the height of the exterior fence and remove waste beyond the school’s boundary.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school has some safety precautions in place to support the event of a fire, such as extinguishers appropriately positioned and fire blankets in the school kitchen. However, not all safety precautions are compliant. Neither the health and safety nor the fire risk assessments have been completed in time for this pre- registration inspection. As a result, the proprietor is not able to ensure the health, safety and welfare of pupils. For example, internal signage is not adequate to support safe evacuation from the premises.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Pupils benefit from learning spaces that are bright with lots of natural light. They have access to dedicated learning spaces, such as a science lab, sports hall and Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 8 creative space. All classrooms have appropriate acoustic conditions to help pupils learn in quiet and focused spaces.

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Outdoor space

Pupils have access to outdoor space that will be used to support social times. Once the lease holder completes the works to raise the fencing, this will be a safe space for pupils to enjoy.

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Outdoor space

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

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Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders are in the process of building a website that mirrors their other school’s website. It provides the required information, including the school’s contact details, leadership and governance information, the school’s aims and ethos and key policies. These include policies for safeguarding, behaviour, curriculum and complaints. The website will also include inspection reports. Parents and carers will receive written reports about their children’s attendance and progress linked to leaders’ assessments.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders have set up relationships with placing local authorities. They will keep transparent financial records to show how each pupil’s funding has been used.

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Part 6. Provision of information

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

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The complaints policy sets out a four-stage process with clear timescales for each stage. The policy requires detailed written records of each complaint, the actions taken and the outcome. Leaders will share findings with the complainant and review complaint outcomes to check for any patterns and trends.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

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

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The school’s accessibility plan

The accessibility plan meets Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. It sets out actions to improve curriculum access, the physical environment and access to information for disabled pupils. This includes short-term, medium-term and long- term targets. For example, short-term targets centre around supporting the Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 9 school’s opening to ensure pupils’ and families’ differing needs are supported when known.

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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 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 proprietor, the proposed head of school and other senior leaders.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the proposed school:

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About this inspection

The proprietor currently has one other registered independent school and a number of unregistered alternative provisions. Leaders may use one of these alternative provisions to support the education of the pupils who may attend this school.

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About this inspection

The head of school is due to take up their substantive role 1 August 2026.

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About this inspection

Elmtree Sands School proposes to open for 70 pupils, with an age range from 8 to 16. The school plans to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities with a primary need of social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

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Chair of proprietor body

Elmtree Sands School Ltd Sarah Morrison Headteacher Emma Pindard Type of school Other independent special school Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 10 Capacity 70

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authority

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 8 - 16 Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: Mixed

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teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 0

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act[9];  2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 11 – 2A(1)(b) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with secondary education at the school is provided with relationships and sex education, except in so far as the pupil is excused as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), – 2A(1)(d) in making arrangements for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), has regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 that applies in relation to the provision of education by maintained schools, – 2A(1)(e) makes and keeps up to date a separate written statement of its policy with regard to the provision of education as required by each of paragraphs (a) and (b),

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2A(1)(f) consults parents of registered pupils at the school before making or revising a statement under sub-paragraph (e), and  2A(2) Arrangements made by the proprietor for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b) must ensure that where a pupil’s parent requests that the pupil is wholly or partly excused from sex education provided as part of relationships and sex education, the pupil is so excused until the request is withdrawn, unless or to the extent that the head teacher considers that the pupil should not be so excused.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor- – 5(a) actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; – 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which- – 5(b)(ii) enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England; – 5(b)(iv) enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England; – 5(b)(v) further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;

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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]. Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 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

 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.

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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. Elmtree Sands School, 9 July 2026 13 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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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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