Turner Court School

Turner Court School, 22 July 2026 1 Turner Court School Turner Drive, Badminton Road Industrial Estate, Yate, Bristol BS37 5YX

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely 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 chair of, and staff employed by, the proprietor body have prior experience of setting up and running independent schools. They also have extensive expertise in working with pupils with the types of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) that the school intends to cater for. They have the knowledge and skills that make it likely that the independent school standards (the standards) will be met consistently if the school opens. Leaders intend to provide pupils with suitable full-time education which meets their individual needs and prepares them well for their next stage in education. Employed members of the proprietor body form a governing body who have a clearly defined role in monitoring the quality of provision at the school. Within the proprietor body, staff involved with the school have the relevant expertise to challenge and support the proposed school if it opens to pupils. Turner Court School, 22 July 2026 2

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Curriculum

Leaders have designed the curriculum with the special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) of its intended pupils in mind. Pupils will follow a broad curriculum, which incorporates the National Curriculum where relevant. Leaders have appropriate curriculum plans in place, including relationships and health education for pupils. The curriculum will be adapted for individual pupils so that it can capitalise on their interests and motivate them to learn. However, the intended core learning will remain the same, so that pupils experience an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum.

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Curriculum

The curriculum has been designed to promote fundamental British values. Leaders intend to prepare pupils for the opportunities and responsibilities of life in modern Britain.

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Teaching

Leaders have ensured that the intended classrooms are suitable to be used for teaching. Leaders plan to recruit teachers who have the subject knowledge and teaching expertise they need. There are well-thought-through plans to ensure that staff have the specific expertise they will need to work effectively with pupils with the SEND that the school intends to cater for.

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Assessment

The school plans to have a thorough pupil induction process, which includes the identification of pupils’ needs. They intend to ensure that each pupil’s curriculum is adjusted so that they can build from their starting points and towards the intended outcomes set out in their education, health and care plan (EHC plan). Leaders have designed a clear framework by which to assess pupils’ progress across all aspects of the curriculum.

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Assessment

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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pupils

Turner Court School, 22 July 2026 3 Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development has been well considered by leaders. SMSC plans take into account the social, emotional and mental health needs that pupils at the school are likely to have. Leaders have considered how they will promote tolerance and respect. Specific aspects of the curriculum have been developed to promote pupils’ understanding of the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010. The school intends to establish a school council to encourage an understanding of, and respect for, the democratic process. Participation in the school council also intends to help pupils develop their self-confidence.

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pupils

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Safeguarding

Leaders, including members of the proprietor body, already have suitable training to carry out their roles with regard to safeguarding. The school intends to recruit a qualified and experienced designated safeguarding lead to be in post prior to any pupils starting at the school. Arrangements are in place to ensure suitable safeguarding training is provided to all staff so that they can fulfil their responsibilities in this regard. A system to record and act on any safeguarding concerns is already established and used within other schools run by the proprietor body. The school’s safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. Leaders are aware of their responsibilities as set out in ‘Keeping Children Safe In Education’ and as regards the safer recruitment of staff.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

There is a written behaviour policy that is likely to promote good behaviour. It sets out the rewards and consequences the school will use, taking into account reasonable adjustments that may need to be made in light of pupils’ individual needs. It is leaders’ intention that pupils will be involved in determining aspects of the rewards system, so that they are motivated to make good choices about their conduct. The intended staffing model should ensure that pupils are adequately supervised, including during social times and arrival at and departure from school.

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Anti-bullying

The school’s anti-bullying strategy sets out how leaders will proactively reduce instances of bullying. It also makes clear how it will deal with any bullying that does occur. Turner Court School, 22 July 2026 4

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

Health and safety, fire and first-aid policies are in place and conform to all relevant statutory requirements. Fire safety equipment is accessible and regularly maintained. The proprietary body has plans in place to ensure that staff have suitable training for the evacuation of buildings. Emergency exits are clearly signed and are not obstructed in any way. A recent fire assessment shows that all requirements of the proprietor body in relation to this building have been met. There are coherent training plans in place to ensure that staff receive first-aid, risk assessment and fire safety training prior to pupils being admitted to the proposed school.

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Admissions and attendance

The proprietor body understands the requirements for admission and attendance registers. They have a clear process for checking on reasons for pupils’ non- attendance, if required.

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Risk assessment

The school has a suitable risk assessment policy in place. Risk assessments have been carried out on all aspects of the proposed school’s provision. There is a thorough approach to ensuring that risk assessments are carried out in response to emerging issues or concerns if the school is permitted to open to pupils.

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Risk assessment

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part 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

The proprietor body has carried out all the required checks for the staff who have already been appointed. This suggests that the school is likely to meet the standards relating to the recruitment of suitable staff. Leaders are aware of the checks they need to undertake if using agency supply staff. Leaders only intend to use supply staff in exceptional circumstances.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

All the required checks made on the suitability of staff are recorded accurately in the school’s single central record.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school. Turner Court School, 22 July 2026 5

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and showers

There are suitable separate toilet facilities for boys and girls. Hot water supplies do not pose a scalding risk. There are multiple sources of drinking water, which are clearly marked as such. There are also facilities for pupils to shower and to get changed if necessary.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

These is a first-aid room for the treatment of pupils experiencing short-term medical needs. It has an ensuite toilet and sink. There is space for a bed, though this has not yet been installed. Spaces that are intended to be used for pupils’ therapy needs are well suited for this purpose.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

Classroom space is sufficient for the number of proposed pupils. Each classroom features a quiet space for pupils to use if needed. The school site has been renovated to a high standard. It is an appropriate environment for pupils. Consideration has been given to promoting pupils’ safety and welfare throughout the day through the design of the premises. This includes the intended drop-off and collection arrangements for pupils, most of whom will travel by taxi.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Classrooms and the dining hall have appropriate acoustics and lighting. External lighting is in place and is suitable.

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Outdoor space

There is outdoor space for pupils to use during social times. This includes a dedicated sports pitch which will also be used for aspects of the physical education curriculum. There is also an inviting play area with a variety of equipment which is suitable for the ages of pupils the proposed school intends to admit.

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Outdoor space

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school already has a website which contains all of the relevant information that it is required to make available to parents and carers. This Turner Court School, 22 July 2026 6 includes the school’s safeguarding arrangements and policies relating to behaviour, attendance, anti-bullying, health and safety, admissions and complaints. Parents will receive three written reports annually about their children’s progress. These reports will also be provided to the local authority who commission a pupil’s place at the school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part 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 school’s complaints policy includes clear timescales and provision for parents to be accompanied at a panel hearing. The proprietor body has made suitable arrangements for a member of any panels convened to consider a complaint to be independent of the management and running of the school.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has an accessibility plan that takes into account the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. There are clear time scales, including review points, set out within the accessibility plan.

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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. 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 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.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the Head of School Development, leaders with specific safeguarding roles, a representative of the proprietor body and leaders responsible for curriculum development, health and safety and pupils’ wider personal development during the inspection. They also reviewed relevant documents and toured the school site. Turner Court School, 22 July 2026 7 The proposed school intends to cater for pupils with EHC plans for the following needs: social, emotional and mental health; cognition and learning; speech, language and communication; autistic spectrum disorder.

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About this inspection

All teaching will take place on the proposed school site, with some off-site activities supplementing this, as appropriate to the needs of pupils. At the time of the inspection, a headteacher had been appointed.

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About this inspection

The proprietor body is Witherslack Group Ltd.

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Lead inspector

Sarah Favager-Dalton His Majesty’s Inspector

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About this proposed school

Chair of the proprietor body Richard Wilkins Headteacher Yenna Yeo Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 40

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authority

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 6-11 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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Annual fees for day pupils £98,000 to £105,000

Email address robert.james@witherslackgroup.co.uk Turner Court School, 22 July 2026 8 Turner Court School, 22 July 2026 9 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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Annual fees for day pupils £98,000 to £105,000

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Annual fees for day pupils £98,000 to £105,000

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Annual fees for day pupils £98,000 to £105,000

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

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