Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School

Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 1 Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School 130 High Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 5SD

p.1

report:

Overall outcome The school is unlikely to meet all the independent school standards if it is registered

p.1

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.

p.1

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.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The sole proprietor has not set up and run an independent school before. She has a background in running nurseries in the London area. Being a sole proprietor, she does not have the expertise to draw on to ensure that the independent school standards (the standards) are consistently met over time. For instance, the proprietor and leaders did not know the requirements for primary-aged pupils to receive relationships education or how to run admissions and attendance registers. The proprietor recognises the lack of experience is an issue. To address this, she proposes to source external consultancy as well as set up a governing body in the first year the school is open. They will provide advice, guidance and assurance that the school is functioning as it should.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has recruited leaders who are experienced in early years settings as well as the teaching of key stage 1 pupils. This is the proposed age range for the school. However, there is a lack of experience of senior leadership in schools. This Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 2 includes in the independent sector. For instance, there is no school improvement plan in place. There is a lack of clarity as to how they will ensure staff deliver school improvement priorities over time. Leaders know that they will need to run training for staff. As yet, there is no plan on what this will look like over the course of the first year of opening.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders intend to undertake quality assurance activities. This is to check the quality of teaching and the impact of the intended curriculum. This will inform the appraisal process for teachers. The proprietor will meet regularly with the leadership team to ascertain the quality of provision. While she is operating solely, she will be reliant upon the information that the leadership team tells her. As she lacks experience in the sector, this will limit her ability to challenge and hold leaders to account.

p.2

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The school is unlikely to meet the standard in this part if it is registered.

p.2

Curriculum

The proposed school’s curriculum is ambitious and suitable for the age range it will serve. Its aims are to develop pupils’ curiosity, creativity, resilience and independence. There is suitable coverage of the early years foundation stage framework. Leaders use the national curriculum as a starting point for the key stage 1 curriculum. There is an appropriate focus on building children’s and pupils’ knowledge of reading, writing and mathematics. Children and pupils will follow a systematic synthetic phonics programme. Leaders understand how children learn to read. They will ensure that teachers who do not know the phonics programme have training to deliver it. The wider curriculum encompasses a range of subjects, including cultural and classical studies.

p.2

Curriculum

The curriculum for personal, social, and health education covers age-appropriate topics, such as understanding difference in families. Pupils learn about what it means to live in a modern, multicultural Britain. However, leaders have not put in place an appropriate offer for relationships and sex education (RSE). They do not have an RSE policy that reflects statutory guidance.

p.2

Teaching

Leaders have a background in teaching early years children as well as key stage 1. All teachers will have qualified teacher status. Leaders intend for staff to know pupils well, to place value on pupils’ learning and to engage them intellectually. To do this, they propose to implement small class sizes. They want to run classes with at least 2 teachers. Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 3 Leaders understand the need to tailor provision so that it meets the needs and abilities of children and pupils. For example, to support pupils who speak English as an additional language, they propose to use specific resources. These pupils will have access to a 6-week programme of English tuition.

p.2

Teaching

While the classrooms for indoor learning are well equipped, this is not the case for provision outdoors. There is no designated area or equipment to run outdoor learning for early years. The proprietor has plans for its development.

p.3

Assessment

Leaders will determine children’s and pupils’ starting points upon entry. They propose to undertake observations. This is to assess how well children and pupils can communicate and know language. Over time, teachers will check on how well the children and pupils learn the intended curriculum. They will use formative and summative methods.

p.3

Assessment

The school is unlikely to meet the standards in this part if it is registered.

p.3

pupils

The teaching of fundamental British values is woven through the curriculum for the different year groups. This will be taught in an age-appropriate way. For example, teachers will help children to understand the role of the fire service and police. Staff will use specific resources to help pupils understand diversity. Leaders propose to have an annual cultural calendar. This is to provide a range of events that celebrate other cultures, traditions, faiths and beliefs. For example, pupils will wear their traditional dress for a day.

p.3

pupils

The proposed school will run a wide-ranging enrichment programme. The delivery of this will ensure that children and pupils experience the wider world. Leaders propose to make full use of the facilities available in London, such as visiting museums and galleries. Leaders will also use external speakers to help children and pupils understand the natural world. They will have the opportunity to learn about beekeeping and its importance, for instance.

p.3

pupils

The school is likely to meet the standard in this part if it is registered. Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 4

p.3

Safeguarding

The proposed school has a safeguarding policy which is published on its website. The proprietor knows that this will require updating when the new guidance from the Department for Education, ‘Keeping children safe in education 2026’, comes into force on 1 September. Currently, the policy does not include the local safeguarding procedures of Essex local authority.

p.4

Safeguarding

The proprietor intends for the school to have 2 designated safeguarding leads. They currently hold the required certification for this. In the first instance, leaders will run a paper-based reporting system for safeguarding concerns. This is while they train staff on the implementation of a new electronic system. Staff will receive annual training as well as regular briefings. This is to keep their knowledge of safeguarding matters up to date.

p.4

Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The behaviour policy reflects the proposed school’s ethos and approach. Leaders want children and pupils to feel safe, seen and valued. The policy provides guidance to staff on how to teach pupils. This is so pupils know and understand their behaviour. Leaders have a system in place for recording behaviour incidents.

p.4

Behaviour and supervision of pupils

There will be sufficient staff to supervise pupils. The proprietor proposes to stagger entry upon opening. The setting will begin with 35 children. They will be in the Nursery and Reception Years.

p.4

Anti-bullying

The anti-bullying policy is explicit about how bullying may appear with young children. It provides helpful guidance to staff on the approaches to take. There is a system in place to record incidents of bullying.

p.4

Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has ensured that there are appropriate policies in place for health and safety, fire safety and first aid. The proprietor is clear about checks to make over time. This is to ensure there are no safety hazards, for example checking the temperature of the water on a regular basis. The proprietor intends for all staff to be paediatric first-aid trained. A senior leader will be trained for first aid at work. The leaders that are newly employed are booked to complete training before September. Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 5 The proprietor does not have in place a fire risk assessment. There is no fire equipment on site. While there is signage on fire doors, there is not for assembly points. Therefore, the proprietor has not ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The proprietor has also not implemented the requirements with regard to this as stated in the school’s health and safety policy.

p.4

Admissions and attendance

During the inspection there was confusion by leaders as to what an admissions register should contain. Leaders do not know the guidance in the document ‘Working together to improve attendance’, Department for Education, July 2026. Leaders were unable to provide access to their attendance register.

p.5

Risk assessment

The risk assessment policy does not clearly outline how leaders will measure and mitigate risk. There are no risk assessments in place in readiness for opening. For example, the school will be on a shared site with a private nursery and there is no risk assessment in place for this.

p.5

Risk assessment

Leaders have not considered how they will fulfil the standards for reporting incidents of restrictive interventions, including the use of reasonable force.

p.5

Risk assessment

The school is unlikely to meet the standards in this part if it is registered.

p.5

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

The business management team for the proprietor’s other businesses has run the recruitment processes for this school. The personnel in this team are trained in safer recruitment. They have followed the processes and procedures that they should when appointing the new staff for the school.

p.5

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

The proprietor does not intend to use supply staff. However, leaders understand the checks they need to make should they decide to in the future.

p.5

The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record contains the required pre-employment checks as indicated in the government guidance, ‘Keeping children safe in education 2025’. This includes the section 128 checks on leaders in the school.

p.5

The single central record of these recruitment checks

The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if it is registered. Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 6

p.5

and showers

There are sufficient toilet facilities for the proposed age range of the school. This is also the case when the school functions at capacity. There is access to a disabled toilet on the ground floor of the building.

p.6

and showers

There are no sinks designated for drinking water. The proprietor plans to serve water in jugs and cups from the kitchen, or they will provide water coolers. The latter have not been ordered.

p.6

Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The medical room has been situated on the first floor of the main building. This is problematic as there are difficulties with access should a pupil fall ill. The room contains the requisite bed and washing facility. The proprietor has sourced a lockable medical cabinet, but this was not put in place.

p.6

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The main building has been refurbished to a high standard. Pupils have access to large spaces, such as the hall for dining. They will access their food from the servery. Pupils will not have access to other areas of the ground floor of the building. This is for the use of another business. There is a fob system in place to control movement.

p.6

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

On the first floor, the proprietor has put in place appropriate equipment for children and young pupils. There is appropriate furniture so that pupils can learn independence. They can, for example, reach books off the bookshelf in the reading library.

p.6

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The second subsidiary building on the site has not been refurbished. The proprietor does not intend to use it in its current condition. This is unsuitable for children and young pupils. The school will need to use this space as it grows to the proposed capacity of 160 pupils. This is so they can cater for this number and run the curriculum for this age range of pupils.

p.6

Lighting and acoustic conditions

All the classrooms have natural light and windows that allow for some ventilation. The building has air conditioning. Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 7

p.6

Outdoor space

The school has a driveway which children and pupils will not have access to. There are large grounds at the back of the main building. The grounds in their current state are not suitable for children and young pupils. There are large divots, untended bushes and abandoned garden statues. The proprietor has plans to landscape this area. Leaders aim to provide appropriate equipment for outdoor learning as well as for social times.

p.7

Outdoor space

The school is unlikely to meet the standards in this part if it is registered.

p.7

Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school’s website does not contain the information that it is required to publish for parents and carers. For example, it does not provide access to the policies for first aid and exclusions. Parents do not have the information that they need if their child speaks English as an additional language. It is not clear who the proprietor is or how they are to contact them.

p.7

Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders did not have the evidence to show how they will fulfil the requirement for reporting annually to parents and how they will do this. Leaders do not have clarity with regard to the financial returns they may need to make to the local authority.

p.7

Part 6. Provision of information

The school is unlikely to meet the standards in this part if it is registered.

p.7

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proprietor has a policy for handling complaints. It provides clear guidance on the procedures; timescales; composition of the panel, where required; representation and confidentiality. There is a central record in place to log complaints information over time.

p.7

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The school is likely to meet the standard in this part if it is registered.

p.7

The school’s accessibility plan

The proposed school has an accessibility plan in place. The plan details how the school will ensure that all children and pupils can access the curriculum, information and the physical environment. Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 8

p.7

Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

The school’s plans regarding the early years curriculum show that leaders understand what they need to cover. The school’s proposed curriculum covers the 7 areas of learning. While the school does not have the resources for outdoor learning, the proprietor knows to provide opportunities for children to go outside. She has plans to landscape the grounds and create suitable spaces for learning outside. The proprietor intends to staff the early years provision with suitably qualified staff. These staff will have the relevant knowledge and skills to teach and care for early years children.

p.8

Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

The proprietor and leaders understand the requirements to safeguard early years children. The staff to child ratio will meet children’s health and welfare needs and keep children safe. However, the lack of a fire risk assessment, fire equipment and appropriate risk assessments for the premises do not provide assurance that children will be safe. The outdoor space is not fit for purpose currently.

p.8

Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

The statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are unlikely to be met.

p.8

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

About this inspection

This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.

p.8

About this inspection

The proposed school does not intend to use alternative provision.

p.8

About this inspection

Patricia Gray is the chair of proprietor body.

p.8

About this inspection

Inspectors met with the proprietor, the headteacher and the executive director of education and practice.

p.8

About this inspection

Inspectors discussed the proposed school’s curriculum with leaders and looked at curriculum plans. They also discussed safeguarding arrangements and looked at Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 9 the documentation and systems for this. This included scrutiny of the single central record.

p.8

About this inspection

Inspectors toured the school site and considered a wide range of documentary evidence to check on the statutory requirements of the independent school standards.

p.9

About this proposed school

Proprietor Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School Limited Headteacher Gemma Martin Type of school Other independent school Capacity 160

p.9

authority

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 3 to 7 Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: mixed

p.9

teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 3 Annual fees for day pupils £21,000 to £24,000 Email address admissions@annefrancis.co.uk Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 10

p.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 2A(1)(a) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with primary education at the school is provided with relationships education, – 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), – 2A(1)(f) consults parents of registered pupils at the school before making or revising a statement under sub-paragraph (e), and – 2A(1)(g) publishes a copy of the statement on a website and provides a copy of the statement free of charge to anyone who asks for one.  2A(2) Arrangements made by the proprietor for the purposes of sub-paragraph

p.10

Part 1. Quality of education provided

(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.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range;

p.10

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  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. Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 11  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006[13].  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

p.10

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.  16A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 16A(1)(a) ensures that a procedure is in place for recording each use of force incident in accordance with section 93A of the Education and Inspections Act 2006; – 16A(1)(b) ensures that a procedure is in place for recording each incident in which a member of the school staff secludes, restrains or immobilises a pupil for whom education is being provided at the school (a "seclusion or restraint incident"); and – 16A(1)(c) takes all reasonable steps to ensure that both procedures are complied with.  16A(2) The procedure under sub-paragraph (1)(b) must require that the record is made in writing as soon as practicable after the incident.  16A(3) The procedure under sub-paragraph (1)(b) need not provide for any

p.11

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

action to be taken in relation to a seclusion or restraint incident that also constitutes a use of force incident within the meaning of section 93A of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and therefore falls to be recorded under the procedure referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(a).

p.11

Part 5. Premises of 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 – 28(1)(c) cold water supplies that are suitable for drinking are clearly marked as such; and Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 12

p.11

Part 6. Provision of information

 32A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 32A(1)(a) ensures that the procedures for recording use of force incidents and seclusion and restraint incidents referred to in paragraph 16A(1)(a) and (b) include procedures for information about each such incident (except where the pupil concerned is aged 20 or over or provision made under sub-paragraph (2) applies) to be provided to each parent of the pupil as soon as practicable after the incident; and – 32A(1)(b) takes all reasonable steps to ensure that those procedures are complied with.  32A(2) A procedure under sub-paragraph (1)(a) must include provision to the effect- – 32A(2)(a) that a person ("R") who would otherwise be required by the procedure to provide a parent with information about an incident must not provide it to that parent if it appears to R that doing so would be likely to result in significant harm to the pupil; and

p.12

Part 6. Provision of information

– 32A(2)(b) that if it appears to R that there is no parent of the pupil to whom R could provide information about the incident without that being likely to result in significant harm to the pupil, R must provide information about the incident to the local authority (within the meaning of the 1989 Act) within whose area the pupil is ordinarily resident.  32(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 32(1)(a) the information specified in sub-paragraph (2) is provided to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector[14], the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate[15]; – 32(1)(b) the information specified in sub-paragraph (3) is made available to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector, the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate; – 32(1)(f) an annual written report of each registered pupil’s progress and

p.12

Part 6. Provision of information

attainment in the main subject areas taught is provided to the parents of that registered pupil except that no report need be provided where the parent has agreed otherwise; – 32(1)(g) any information reasonably requested in connection with an inspection under section 109 of the 2008 Act which is required for the purposes of the inspection is provided to the body conducting the inspection and that body is given access to the school’s admission and attendance registers; – 32(1)(h) where a pupil wholly or partly funded by a local authority (except where funding is solely for free of charge early years provision in accordance with the duty contained in section 7 of the Childcare Act 2006[16]) is Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 July 2026 13 registered at the school, an annual account of income received and expenditure incurred by the school in respect of that pupil is provided to the local authority and, on request, to the Secretary of State;

p.12

Part 6. Provision of information

– 32(1)(i) where a pupil with an EHC plan wholly or partly funded by a local authority or other body through public funds is registered at the school, such information as may reasonably be required for the purpose of the annual review of the EHC plan is provided to the responsible local authority; and  32(2) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is- – 32(2)(b) either- – 32(2)(b)(i) where the proprietor is an individual, the proprietor’s full name, address for correspondence during both term-time and holidays and a telephone number or numbers on which the proprietor may be contacted, or  32(3) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is- – 32(3)(a) particulars of the school’s policy on and arrangements for admissions, misbehaviour and exclusions; – 32(3)(b) particulars of educational and welfare provision for pupils with EHC plans and pupils for whom English is an additional language;

p.13

Part 6. Provision of information

– 32(3)(d) particulars of arrangements for meeting the standards contained in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 13; – 32(3)(f) details of the complaints procedure referred to in paragraph 33, and the number of complaints registered under the formal procedure during the preceding school year; and

p.13

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.

p.13

Early years foundation stage

Paragraphs 3.75, 3.79, 3.80, 3.84, 3.91. Anne Francis Pre Preparatory School, 29 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

p.13

Early years foundation stage

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.14

Early years foundation stage

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.14

Early years foundation stage

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.14