Mill School - Bury

Mill School - Bury, 9 September 2026 1 Mill School - Bury Wellington Street, Bury, Greater Manchester BL8 2BD

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented

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report:

This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), which is the registration authority for independent schools. The school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration. The school proposes to change the maximum number of pupils attending.

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report:

The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards (ISS) that are relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out material change inspections of independent schools, we report on the school’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 proprietor has a secure and thorough understanding of the standards and continuously monitors compliance against them.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders demonstrate the knowledge required to run this independent school successfully and accommodate the proposed material change. They have experience of, and a commitment to, providing an effective school provision for pupils. They are likely to fulfil their responsibilities to promote the safety and wellbeing of pupils. Mill School - Bury, 9 September 2026 2 Should the proposed material change be agreed, the proprietor plans to recruit additional teachers and support staff as the school’s pupil numbers grow. The induction documentation for new staff makes it clear that they will undergo a full suite of safeguarding and other appropriate training on appointment.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that the standard in this part is likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

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Safeguarding and provision of information

The proprietor has continued to ensure that a suitable safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. This policy has due regard to current statutory guidance.

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Safeguarding and provision of information

There are robust procedures in place for staff to report any concerns that they might have about a pupil’s welfare. Staff know and understand these procedures well. The school communicates effectively with other professionals to ensure that pupils are safe and well both in and out of school.

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Safeguarding and provision of information

Staff receive regular safeguarding training. This helps them to recognise when pupils may be at risk of harm. The proprietor knows that the school must carry out the required pre-employment checks on the suitability of staff and appropriate recruitment procedures are in place.

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Health and safety, fire safety, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

The proprietor has implemented a suitable health and safety policy. It has been adapted to take account of the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Appropriate fire-safety checks of the school buildings are undertaken and will continue to be completed should the material change be approved. The proprietor has established suitable checks and record-keeping systems to ensure the school buildings comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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Health and safety, fire safety, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

Pupils are supervised by a sufficient number of staff, including at breaktimes, on arrival at school and on leaving the school premises. The proprietor’s plans to increase staffing are appropriate to support the proposed increase in pupil numbers, should this material change be approved.

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Health and safety, fire safety, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

A well-considered written risk assessment policy is in place. The existing risk assessments show that leaders take appropriate actions to minimise risks to pupils. These include risk assessments for the school buildings and grounds, staff, events and individual pupils. Mill School - Bury, 9 September 2026 3 The school has made appropriate arrangements to ensure that suitable monitoring and filtering systems are in place. This helps to ensure pupils’ safety when they are working online.

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Health and safety, fire safety, supervision of pupils and risk assessment

The proprietor has ensured that the relevant standards in this part and the requirements in paragraph 32(1)(c) are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

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staff and the proprietor body

A single central record is in place and meets statutory requirements. The proprietor understands the need to complete all the required checks on the suitability of staff before they take up an appointment.

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staff and the proprietor body

Records relating to the proprietor are included on the school’s single central record. All suitability checks, including those relating to the leadership and management of the school, have been carried out.

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staff and the proprietor body

The proprietor and senior leaders have completed appropriate training to support the appointment of suitable staff to work in the school. Leaders understand the procedures to follow should the school employ supply staff, to ensure that they are suitable to work with pupils.

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staff and the proprietor body

The school does not engage volunteers. However, staff are clear about their responsibilities for checking the suitability of volunteers who may work with pupils in the future.

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staff and the proprietor body

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

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and showers

The school has been furbished to a high standard. The site contains several buildings which, should the material change be approved, likely accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers.

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and showers

There are appropriate toilets and washing facilities. All the toilet cubicles can be secured from the inside. Hot and cold running water is available. The hot water is Mill School - Bury, 9 September 2026 4 maintained at an appropriate temperature. Clear signage indicates where water is not suitable for drinking. Pupils will have access to drinking water throughout the day.

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and showers

There are separate changing and shower facilities for boys and girls. These are clean and well appointed.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

A medical room has been set aside. It has a sink in the room and easy access to a toilet. At the time of the inspection, the room contained a bed, a first-aid kit and a lockable medicine cupboard.

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lighting and acoustic conditions

The accommodation throughout has been well considered and is of a high standard. It is likely to meet all requirements for the health, safety and welfare of pupils. This includes suitable acoustics and lighting. Teaching rooms have suitable sources of natural light. Internal and external lighting is of an appropriate standard. Access through main doorways and gates is via keypads.

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Outdoor space

Pupils will have access to a safe outdoor area. This provides appropriate space for pupils to play when not in lessons and for them to engage in physical education (PE) lessons. These PE activities will be timetabled in accordance with the school’s curriculum requirements.

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Outdoor space

The proprietor has ensured that the relevant standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school’s accessibility plan has been revised to take account of the material change request and reflects statutory requirements.

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About this inspection

The inspector carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspector checked the school’s likely compliance with the independent school Mill School - Bury, 9 September 2026 5 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 DfE commissioned this inspection in response to the school’s material change application to increase its registered capacity from 70 to 90.

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About this inspection

This was the first material change inspection since the school’s standard inspection in April 2025.

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About this inspection

The inspector met with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher, who is also the designated safeguarding lead, and other senior staff.

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About this inspection

The inspector met with a representative of the proprietor body and the regional director, who has educational oversight of this school and others within the company.

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About this inspection

The inspector conducted a tour of the school to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant standards and considered a range of documents in relation to the standards checked.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

All pupils who attend this school have special educational needs and/or disabilities. All have an education, health and care plan. The school caters for pupils with autism. In addition, some pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs.

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About this inspection

The school currently has an agreed capacity with the DfE for 70 pupils.

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About this inspection

The school is currently registered with the DfE to admit pupils up to the age of 17. At the time of this inspection, there were no post-16 pupils on the school’s roll. The proprietor intends to apply to the DfE to reduce the school’s age range from 17 to 16 years old.

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About this inspection

The school uses one unregistered alternative provision.

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About this inspection

The proprietor is Kedleston Schools (London) Limited, more commonly known as the Kedleston Group. This group operates many schools and care homes across the country, including in the North West. Mill School - Bury, 9 September 2026 6

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About this school

Proprietor Kedleston Schools (London) Limited

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About this school

Chair of the proprietor body Paul Brosnan

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About this school

Type of school Independent special school

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an education, health and care plan

Email address millschool@kedlestongroup.com

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an education, health and care plan

Website https://www.kedlestongroup.com/school s/mill-school-bury Mill School - Bury, 9 September 2026 7 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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an education, health and care plan

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an education, health and care plan

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an education, health and care plan

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