IncludEd Independent School

IncludEd Independent School, 8 September 2026 1 IncludEd Independent School Visitor Centre, Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, Billingham TS23 3NF

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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 (ISS) 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 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 co-chairs of the proprietor body, who are also co-headteachers of the proposed school, have the knowledge, skills and experience to lead the school effectively. They have significant experience in the maintained sector across primary, secondary and special settings, prior to leading a pupil referral unit. A year ago, they opened an alternative provision for pupils with social and emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) and they also have some experience of interim roles in the independent sector. They possess a secure knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards (ISS). As co-headteachers, they will have distinct roles and responsibilities. One co-headteacher will be responsible for education and the other for operations and culture.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The 2 leaders share a genuine commitment to providing pupils with SEMH an ambitious education that prepares pupils for life beyond school. They have a clear vision for the education they seek to provide. The 2 leaders also show great IncludEd Independent School, 8 September 2026 2 commitment to Teesside and its communities. They have already established strong relationships with 2 local authorities, Stockton-on-Tees and Hartlepool. These local authorities intend to commission places for pupils with SEMH at the proposed school. Leaders intend to build gradually during the first school year to full capacity. They intend to start with an initial cohort of Year 7 and 8 pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The 2 leaders have recruited a chair of governors and another governor who have the requisite expertise to provide support and challenge. The leaders are recruiting additional members to the governing body. They know that they need a governing body that can exercise oversight of the provision and provide them with appropriate challenge. The governing body intends to play an important role in ensuring that the ISS are met consistently over time.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The standard in this part is likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to register the proposed school.

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Curriculum

The proprietor has established a broad curriculum that includes the core subjects of English, mathematics and science and the foundation subjects of history, geography, art and design, information technology and physical education. The curriculum also includes personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE), careers education and relationships and sex education (RSE). The proposed school’s RSE curriculum meets statutory guidance.

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Curriculum

There are well-organised curriculum plans and schemes of work in place for all subjects. These plans and schemes of work consider pupils’ different abilities, aptitudes and needs, including pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders intend to adapt these curriculum plans and schemes of work still further, informed by the needs and abilities of the pupils who attend the school. They intend to construct 3 pathways through the curriculum, informed by pupils’ starting points.

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Teaching

Initially, the 2 co-headteachers will teach the first cohort of Year 7 and 8 pupils. The 2 co-headteachers are qualified teachers with primary, secondary and special school experience. One of them is a secondary English specialist. They possess the knowledge and skills to teach pupils with SEMH effectively. As the school grows towards its capacity of 23 pupils, the proprietor will recruit additional qualified teachers in relevant subject specialisms. IncludEd Independent School, 8 September 2026 3

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Assessment

Leaders intend to assess pupils on entry to determine pupils’ starting points, with a close focus on reading, writing and mathematics. Leaders intend to use both formative and summative assessment methods to track and report on pupils’ progress. Leaders understand the importance of assessment in helping pupils to improve their work. Teachers will use GCSE grades and other relevant key stage 4 assessment frameworks to assess pupils’ work at key stage 4.

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Assessment

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the proposed school.

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pupils

The proprietor has in place a comprehensive personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) curriculum. The curriculum is designed to build pupils’ knowledge in a logical and age-appropriate manner. The PSHE curriculum includes content about the protected characteristics, fundamental British values and other faiths and cultures. Pupils who attend the proposed school will have weekly PSHE lessons. They will also benefit from personal development that is tailored to their specific needs. Leaders show a commitment to developing pupils’ self-worth and self-confidence. They also show a commitment to pupils’ moral development, to ensuring that pupils know right from wrong.

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pupils

Through staff recruitment processes and checks on guest speakers to the school, leaders intend to ensure that pupils are not subject to any political bias in the teaching that they receive.

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pupils

The standard in this part is likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the proposed school.

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Safeguarding

The proposed school has a detailed and comprehensive safeguarding policy that is informed by ‘Keeping children safe in education, 2026’. One of the co-headteachers is the designated safeguarding lead. The designated safeguarding lead is suitably trained and has experience of the role in other settings. Leaders show a deep and secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, including about the contextual risks to prospective pupils. Leaders plan to provide all staff with designated safeguarding lead training. Leaders are fully aware of the potentially high level of risk that pupils with SEMH might encounter. Leaders IncludEd Independent School, 8 September 2026 4 already employ a safeguarding consultant who has supported the design of the proposed school’s safeguarding systems and processes. The school has in place an online recording system for logging concerns about pupils.

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Safeguarding

Leaders show a strong commitment, backed by relevant knowledge and experience, to create an open and honest culture of safeguarding at the proposed school. Leaders are aware of their duty to refer a person who is deemed to be unsuitable for working with children to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The proprietor’s staffing model is suitable for ensuring the safe and appropriate supervision of pupils. At its capacity of 23 pupils, the school intends to employ 9 teaching staff and 4 therapeutic staff. Together, these staff should provide pupils with SEMH with the teaching and support they need to succeed.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

Moreover, the proprietor intends to take a values-based approach to behaviour, founded on a culture of high expectations and rewards. Leaders will train staff to understand behaviour as a means of communication and to de-escalate any inappropriate behaviour.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The proprietor has established a behaviour policy and a means for recording sanctions and rewards. The behaviour policy sets out leaders’ expectations clearly for staff and for parents and carers.

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Anti-bullying

The proposed school has an anti-bullying policy in place. Leaders do not intend to tolerate bullying at the proposed school. The anti-bullying policy makes leaders’ intent clear. Leaders’ approach to bullying is an important part of the proprietor’s vision of a safe, respectful and inclusive school.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has in place suitable health and safety and first aid policies. These policies should inform a rigorous approach to ensuring a safe and healthy environment and to the administration of timely first aid.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proposed school meets the regulations of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The school has appropriate fire equipment and signage installed. It also has clear systems and processes in place for testing the fire alarm and for evacuating the building. A suitably qualified external organisation has conducted a fire risk assessment. This confirms that the proposed school conforms to the relevant fire regulations. IncludEd Independent School, 8 September 2026 5

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Admissions and attendance

The proprietor knows and understands its statutory responsibility to maintain appropriate admissions and attendance registers. It has established suitable registers for recording pupils’ admissions and attendance data.

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Risk assessment

The proprietor has established a risk assessment policy to ensure that it identifies risks and mitigates against them in a systematic and methodical manner. The proprietor has completed a wide range of risk assessments that include health and safety on the school’s premises and school visits and activities. For example, the proprietor has completed risk assessments on the use of the neighbouring woodland park and for the travel to and use of a local sports centre.

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Risk assessment

Importantly, the proprietor has completed a detailed risk assessment for pupils’ use of the proposed school’s outside space. This risk assessment includes robust staff supervision and the use of CCTV cameras that are already installed.

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Risk assessment

There is a new 6-foot high metal wire fence that surrounds the school at between 2 and 4 metres from the school building. The fence offers protection from intrusion by members of the public and from pupils leaving the school premises. However, the proposed school is situated in a woodland park that is open to the public. The school is close to public footpaths that run through the woodland park and to an outdoor trim trail. The school’s outside space is easily visible to members of the public.

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Risk assessment

The proprietor intends to mitigate further against the risks posed by the school’s location and the visibility of the school’s outside space. The proprietor intends to cover the metal wire fence with an opaque material that will prevent members of the public from seeing through the fence. It also intends to remove internal and external wooden posts that would facilitate intrusion and/or flight from the school’s premises. The proprietor also intends to organise an external audit of the site’s security by its safeguarding consultant.

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Use of restrictive interventions

The proprietor has in place a suitable policy on the use of restrictive interventions, including the use of physical force, seclusion and restraint. Leaders clearly see the use of restrictive interventions as a last resort. However, they know that on occasion such interventions are necessary to ensure the safety of pupils. The policy shows leaders’ intent to ensure that any use of force, seclusion or restraint incident is recorded in writing as soon as possible after the event. Leaders intend to provide all staff with training on the use of restrictive interventions. IncludEd Independent School, 8 September 2026 6 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the proposed school.

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

The proprietor has a clear understanding of the pre-employment checks that it must undertake when appointing staff, governors and directors. The proprietor does not intend to employ supply staff. However, the proprietor knows about its responsibility regarding recruitment checks on supply staff.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has established a suitable single central record for the recording of all relevant recruitment checks and the dates of those checks on staff, governors and directors. One of the co-headteachers has responsibility for maintaining the single central record. The chair of governors will have oversight of the single central record and its completion.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the proposed school.

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and showers

The proposed school has separate toilets and washing facilities for boys and girls. The facilities are sufficient for the number of pupils that the school proposes to admit. There is hot and cold-water supply. The proprietor intends to use a local sports centre for the teaching of physical education. There are appropriate changing and shower facilities at this venue.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The proposed school benefits from a medical room that contains a medical bed and washing facilities. The medical room is of an appropriate size and is close to a toilet.

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needs of pupils

The proprietor has established safe and well-designed premises. The premises are finished to a high standard, supporting prospective pupils’ health, safety and IncludEd Independent School, 8 September 2026 7 welfare. The proprietor shows a pride in its premises. It has systems in place to ensure that the premises remain well-maintained.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The proposed school benefits from plenty of natural light as well as appropriate internal and external lighting. The building’s acoustics are suitable for a school, providing clarity of sound in teaching spaces.

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Outdoor space

The proposed school has sufficient outside space for pupils to play and socialise. The proposed school has an arrangement in place to use nearby sporting facilities for the teaching of physical education.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has established a website that will contain all relevant information about the proposed school. The proprietor shows a secure understanding of its responsibilities in communicating and publishing information in a clear and appropriate manner. The proposed school’s website will contain contact details about the school, including about the proprietor body, the chair of governors and the 2 co-headteachers. It will also include relevant policies, including about admissions, safeguarding, use of physical force, first aid, health and safety, behaviour, bullying and the curriculum. Also, the proprietor is aware of its duty to publish inspection reports and any restriction orders imposed on the proposed school by the DfE.

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Part 6. Provision of information

In addition, the proprietor is aware of its responsibility in providing information about provision for pupils with education, health and care (EHC) plans and pupils who speak English as an additional language. It understands its responsibility to participate in pupils’ EHC plan annual reviews. The proprietor has also established appropriate templates for termly reports to parents and carers about pupils’ progress.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the proposed school.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proprietor has established a complaints procedure that provides complainants with both informal and formal means of complaint. The proposed complaints procedure is published in a complaints policy. The policy provides appropriate information about timescales for responding to complaints and suitable provision IncludEd Independent School, 8 September 2026 8 of an independent panel for the consideration of formal complaints, when required. The policy also makes clear the proprietor’s responsibility regarding the sharing and recording of written complaints.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The standard in this part is likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the proposed school.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The proprietor has a written accessibility plan in place. It intends to review its accessibility plan annually. The plan makes appropriate provision for all pupils, including disabled pupils, to access the building and access the curriculum and other relevant information.

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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

Inspectors spoke with the 2 co-chairs of the proprietor body, who are also the 2 co- headteachers of the proposed school, and the chair of governors during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The proposed school is an independent special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.

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Team inspector

David Penny Ofsted Inspector IncludEd Independent School, 8 September 2026 9

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About this proposed school

Proprietor body IncludEd Education Solutions Ltd

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About this proposed school

Chairs of the proprietor body Rachel Campbell Emily Carr

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About this proposed school

Type of school Other independent special school

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an education, health and care plan

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 11-16

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an education, health and care plan

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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teaching staff

Email address rachel.campbell@includedes.org.uk

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Website Not published IncludEd Independent School, 8 September 2026 10 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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teaching staff

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