De Jong Academy

De Jong Academy, 10 June 2026 1 De Jong Academy 42 Cygnet Court, Timothy’s Bridge Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 9NW

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report:

Overall outcome The school is unlikely to meet all the independent school standards. It is currently operating without registration

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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 (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 and staff share a clear commitment and drive to open an inclusive school with a broad and balanced curriculum. The proprietor has significant experience of supporting pupils, as they currently run an unregistered alternative provision for pupils. Staff in the setting have experience of working with young people and supporting those with additional needs.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The vision for the proposed school is to allow the pupils to access an innovative approach to providing full-time education over 3 days per week. This will involve increasing the number of hours that pupils spend engaged in active learning during the day. The proprietor also intends to offer a fourth day and after-school tuition to allow pupils to develop a wider curriculum and to support pupils to address gaps in their learning. De Jong Academy, 10 June 2026 2 The proprietor has ensured that all of the policies and procedures to ensure that pupils are kept safe are in place. Leaders have systems in place to review systems and processes, including reviewing the quality of the curriculum and teaching. Since the previous pre-registration inspection, leaders have addressed weaknesses in the school’s single central record as well as ensuring the medical room is fit for purpose.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

However, the proprietor has not ensured that the building meets the requirements of the standards fully. While leaders have sought to address the issue since the previous pre-registration inspection, the number of toilets and shower facilities is not suitable for the proposed number of pupils. In addition, the building does not have any outdoor space for pupils to play. While there is some limited outdoor space, the proprietor has not ensured this is easily accessible or appropriate for pupil use.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The school is unlikely to meet the standard in this part if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Curriculum

The proprietor has put in place a curriculum that is broad and balanced. Leaders at the school have a clear vision for the school’s curriculum and plan for it to be academically challenging, but to also support pupils’ wider development and wellbeing. Leaders plan to teach pupils in year groups and they have a curriculum in place to support this. Leaders have an understanding of how to adapt learning to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The proprietor’s vision is to work towards 6 GCSE qualifications: English language, English literature, mathematics, science (Double Award GCSE) and history. In addition, the school plans to offer life skills, Pilates, art and design and a modern foreign language.

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Curriculum

Leaders have an astute understanding of pupils with SEND and pupils with other vulnerabilities. The proposed school has in place access to a speech and language therapist, a trained councillor and other external support.

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Curriculum

Leaders have put in place an appropriate relationships and sex education curriculum. This covers age-appropriate learning. Leaders plan to consult with parents and carers about this curriculum, if it is registered. The proprietor has outlined a suitable careers programme. They plan for all pupils to access impartial careers advice and guidance. De Jong Academy, 10 June 2026 3

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Teaching

The proposed school intends to employ qualified teachers and already has staff in place teaching at the alternative provision. Leaders have planned a rigorous induction for all staff, which provides an understanding of the provision, the needs of the pupils and detailed safeguarding training. Leaders plan to put in place a detailed programme of professional learning and development for staff.

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Teaching

Leaders propose to carry out regular checks on learning to ensure that teaching meets the needs of the pupils. Leaders have in place systems to share detailed information about the pupils, to ensure that staff understand any barriers to learning.

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Assessment

Leaders have put in place appropriate assessment systems. Staff plan to identify pupils’ starting points when they enter the school, including their reading ability. Leaders intend to use their understanding of what pupils know to inform subsequent teaching and any additional support pupils may need. Leaders intend to ensure that any gaps in pupils’ knowledge are addressed and that pupils make good progress through the curriculum. Leaders have put in place formal assessment systems to map pupils’ progress over time and have systems in place to feed this information back to parents.

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Assessment

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

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pupils

Leaders have developed a personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum that is detailed and well considered. Leaders have also thought carefully about embedding further opportunities to learn about PSHE across the curriculum, for example learning about different cultures through art and design. Pupils will learn about fundamental British values and explore diversity within British society.

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pupils

The proprietor has ensured that the ISS in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school. De Jong Academy, 10 June 2026 4

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Safeguarding

The proposed school has a safeguarding policy that meets all statutory requirements and addresses the contextual safeguarding needs of the pupils in the school.

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Safeguarding

The school has a detailed online system for reporting and recording concerns about pupils. Staff have received training about how to record concerns appropriately and with the right level of detail. The school’s designated safeguarding lead plans to regularly monitor these records. Leaders will ensure that all staff are confident in identifying and reporting risks. The staff are clear about the specific contextual risks that relate to the school, the pupils and the local area.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have in place systems for adults and pupils to raise concerns about staff. The school’s whistleblowing policy and the low-level concerns policy are clear. Staff are aware of how to escalate concerns should they arise.

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Behaviour and anti-bullying

Leaders have a clear approach to managing behaviour. This is documented in the school’s behaviour policy. Leaders have put in place a system for recording sanctions if needed. All staff are trained in the school’s chosen approach to managing behaviour. Leaders have ensured that they have taken into account the additional paragraphs in standard 16A. Leaders have a system for reporting and recording any incidents of seclusion, restraint or immobilising a pupil. This will be logged on a spreadsheet, although this has not been used yet.

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Behaviour and anti-bullying

The school’s anti-bullying policy sets out clear expectations for pupils, parents and staff. It clearly details a consistent approach to any bullying incidents. It provides information on how to prevent bullying and how to deal with incidents effectively if they were to occur.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has ensured that systems for managing health and safety are comprehensive.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

There is an appropriate health and safety policy in place. In addition, the school’s first-aid policy is detailed. The school has ensured that an appropriate number of staff will be trained in first aid. The school has appropriate medical equipment placed strategically around the proposed school. These boxes are checked regularly. De Jong Academy, 10 June 2026 5 An external fire risk assessment has been completed. Leaders have addressed any issues raised with urgency. Weekly checks on fire alarms, fire doors and emergency lighting are carried out. These procedures ensure a safe environment for all pupils and staff.

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Admissions and attendance

The school has appropriate admission and attendance registers in place. It will record attendance electronically. Leaders plan to use this to identify any trends or patterns of absence.

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Risk assessment and supervision of pupils

The proprietor shows appropriate awareness of how to develop personalised risk assessment plans, such as behaviour plans for pupils who might require support.

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Risk assessment and supervision of pupils

The school will ensure that there is an appropriate number of staff to supervise pupils throughout the day. It intends to employ a suitable number of staff to ensure that pupils are kept safe. Leaders plan to increase the number of staff over time when needed.

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Risk assessment and supervision of pupils

The proprietor has ensured that the ISS 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 recruitment checks made on staff, supply staff and the proprietor

At the previous pre-registration inspection this standard was judged as not likely to be met. This is because the proprietor had not carried out the appropriate prohibition checks for teaching staff and 128 checks for leaders. Since then, the proprietor has carried out all of the necessary pre-employment checks.

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

Leaders, including those responsible for maintaining the single central record, have undertaken safer recruitment training. Leaders do not plan on using supply staff; however, they understand the checks that are needed should they decide to in the future.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record (SCR) is already in place for staff employed in the alternative provision who will work in the proposed school. The electronic SCR contains all required information. De Jong Academy, 10 June 2026 6 The proprietor has ensured that the ISS are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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and showers

The proposed school building is situated in a business park on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon. The school’s premises are maintained to a high standard, with clean, bright and well-presented classrooms and communal spaces.

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and showers

At the previous pre-registration inspection this standard was judged as not likely to be met. This is because the school had 2 toilets: one gender-neutral and one designated for staff use. This was only suitable for up to 20 pupils, whereas the proprietor body intended to admit up to 40 pupils. Since the previous inspection, leaders have worked with a neighbouring gym to allow staff to use those toilets and pupils to access the shower during the school day; however, this is not suitable should the gym be closed or unavailable.

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and showers

The temperature of the water across taps in the school does not pose a risk of scalding. Drinking water is available throughout the day and is labelled appropriately.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

At the previous pre-registration inspection this standard was judged as not likely to be met because there were no washing facilities and inadequate privacy. Since then, the proprietor has ensured that there is an appropriate room available for the medical treatment of pupils. This is located in the school office, where leaders have also installed a portable sink.

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of pupils

The site is well maintained. All classrooms are well lit and have suitable soundproofing, natural light and ventilation. Classrooms are well presented, with enough room to accommodate the proposed numbers. The proprietor has considered the pupils in the design of the school and developed social spaces and ‘pods’ for individual and paired learning.

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Outdoor space

The proposed school lacks an immediate outdoor space for pupils to play or complete physical education. Leaders plan to do Pilates as part of their physical De Jong Academy, 10 June 2026 7 education curriculum. This will be taught in a classroom. Currently, the school lacks a specific outdoor space for pupils to play outside. While there are some spaces available, such as a small green space in a car park and a small strip of green space near the car park, these are not yet suitable for pupils’ recreation.

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Outdoor space

The school is unlikely to meet the standard 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 proprietor has developed a detailed school website. It provides the information necessary to meet the ISS. This includes curriculum overviews, admissions guidance and key policies such as behaviour and safeguarding.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The school is aware of the information and documentation that it must make available on request.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders are aware of their statutory duties should pupils with education, health and care plans attend the proposed school. There are appropriate arrangements for reporting to parents about their children’s progress.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has ensured that the ISS 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 school has an appropriate complaints policy. It sets out clear and reasonable time frames for all stages of the complaints procedure. The proposed school is clear about how complaints will be reported and how records of complaints will be logged.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proprietor has ensured that the ISS 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

Leaders have a suitable accessibility policy in place. As a result, the school meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The ISS in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered. De Jong Academy, 10 June 2026 8

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About this inspection

The inspector 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

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 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

This is the proposed school’s second pre-registration inspection. The previous pre- registration inspection was carried out in July 2025.

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About this inspection

The inspector met with the proprietor, who is also the principal. The inspector also met with a range of other staff and a governor. She also reviewed a wide range of documentation, including policies on safeguarding, behaviour, curriculum, staffing, risk assessments and premises safety. The lead inspector also reviewed the school’s single central record of staff checks and examined attendance and admissions records. The inspector also spoke to some pupils during the tour of the building.

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About this inspection

The proposed school, De Jong Academy, is located at 42 Cygnet Court, Timothy’s Bridge Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 9NW. It is applying to register as an independent school for pupils aged 11 to 17, with a planned capacity of 40 pupils. The proprietor is De Jong Academy Ltd.

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About this inspection

The proposed school does not have a religious character.

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About this inspection

The proposed school does not intend to make use of alternative provision.

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About this inspection

The proposed school is already operating as an unregistered alternative provision. It provides part-time education and tutoring for 18 pupils over the week.

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Lead inspector

Eve Morris His Majesty’s Inspector De Jong Academy, 10 June 2026 9

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About this proposed school

Proprietor De Jong Academy Ltd Chair of the proprietor body Gonneke Hazell Headteacher Gonneke Hazell Type of school Other independent school Capacity 40

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Annual fees for day pupils £7,560 – to £12,375

Email address office@dejongacademy.co.uk

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils; – 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.  29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable- – 29(1)(b) pupils to play outside.

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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 De Jong Academy, 10 June 2026 11 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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