Utopia

Utopia, 16 September 2026 1 Utopia The Vikes, 40 Thorsway, Rock Ferry, Merseyside CH42 1NW

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material changes relating to the school provision are 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 use additional premises and increase 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 (the standards) 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 standards first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the 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 proprietor and other leaders have a secure knowledge of the requirements of the standards. They have robust systems in place to check for compliance now, and over time. The proprietor regularly seeks the relevant assurances about how all parts of the standards are met. Recruitment decisions are made with careful consideration for ongoing compliance with the standards. Staff in key leadership positions have in-depth knowledge and experience of supporting pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This gives them a Utopia, 16 September 2026 2 clear understanding of how to keep pupils safe, as well as how to provide them with a high-quality education.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The standard in this part is likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Safeguarding

There are well-considered systems in place to keep pupils safe. Leaders and the proprietor understand their responsibilities well. They have a secure knowledge of the additional vulnerabilities that some pupils have. This is threaded through each part of the school’s approach to protect pupils from harm. The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website and reflects current statutory guidance. Staff are clear about how to identify, record and report any concerns that arise. This includes where any concerns arise about adults. Leaders regularly make sure that staff’s safeguarding knowledge is secure. The proprietor has the in-depth safeguarding knowledge that it needs to check effectively on the culture of safeguarding across the school.

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Supervision of pupils

The intended number of staff is suitable for the proposed additional pupils, should the material change be approved. Leaders take care to appoint staff with the relevant background, knowledge and experience that they need to meet pupils’ needs and to keep them safe. Leaders have considered what supervision will look like at all points in the school day, including at social times, should the material change be approved. There is a delicate balance between careful supervision and supporting pupils to develop confidence and independence.

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Health and safety and fire

Leaders pay due care and attention to all aspects of health and safety. The health and safety policy is comprehensive and reflects leaders’ high expectations for all aspects of site safety. Both sites are maintained to a high standard. There are effective systems in place for reporting any maintenance issues. Where any issues arise, they are quickly resolved.

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Health and safety and fire

The proprietor uses a competent external professional for all aspects of fire safety. This ensures that both buildings comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Staff have fire safety training to understand their responsibilities well. Regular fire drills take place and any issues are swiftly addressed. There are appropriate fire risk assessments completed for both sites. Utopia, 16 September 2026 3

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Risk assessment

There is a suitable risk assessment policy in place. The policy sets out how risks are identified as well as how risks are mitigated. Risk assessments are thorough and show due regard for pupils’ needs and vulnerabilities. Leaders regularly reflect on risk assessments to ensure that they are fit for purpose.

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Risk assessment

The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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

The proprietor and other leaders have a secure understanding of safer recruitment. This includes the necessary recruitment checks made on new staff as set out in the current statutory guidance. The school does not use any agency staff, but they are aware of the required checks should they use agency staff in the future. The proprietor makes sure that all recruitment checks are completed before staff commence employment. The appropriate checks are made on all members of the proprietor body. Leaders are aware of the requirement for overseas checks for any staff that this applies to.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor maintains a clear oversight of the single central record (SCR). They make sure that the SCR is an accurate record of all recruitment checks made. The proprietor makes regular checks on the SCR, including checking for compliance with current statutory guidance. Records relating to the proprietor are included on the SCR, as well as the relevant checks relating to suitability for leadership and management.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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and showers

There are a suitable number of toilets and washing facilities available for the proposed additional number of pupils, should the material change be approved. Pupils’ toilet facilities are for individual use and are lockable from the inside. Regular checks are made on the temperature of water for handwashing. Leaders Utopia, 16 September 2026 4 make sure that pupils can access drinking water throughout the school day. There are suitable changing facilities for pupils to use.

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Medical room

There is a suitable medical room for the short-term treatment of sick or injured pupils. The medical room is near a toilet and contains a sink. There are appropriate first-aid resources available and safe storage for medication. There are safe systems in place for the administration of first aid and medication. This includes robust systems for recording.

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needs of pupils

There is a suitable health and safety policy in place. The additional premises have been refurbished to a high standard. The proprietor has carefully considered the building’s future use while designing the layout. The additional space made available through the new premises is suitable for the proposed increase in pupil numbers, should the material change be approved.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Sound and lighting in both buildings contributes to a suitable environment for pupils to learn. Leaders have made specific adaptations to the lighting in some parts of the building to respond to pupils’ sensory needs. There is external lighting that enables building users to enter and exit safely in hours of darkness.

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Outdoor space

There is suitable outdoor space for recreation. This is complimented by the large indoor sports hall at the main school site. The new premises has an age- appropriate outdoor area for recreation. The outdoor spaces are suitable for the proposed increase in pupil numbers, should the material change be approved.

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Outdoor space

The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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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. Inspectors checked the school’s likely compliance with the standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. Utopia, 16 September 2026 5 Following our updated 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 chair of the proprietor body, the headteacher and other staff during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The school has applied to the DfE to use additional premises and to increase its capacity from 32 to 56 pupils.

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About this inspection

The inspector made a tour of the existing premises as well as the proposed additional premises. The existing premises is at The Vikes, 40 Thorsway, Rock Ferry, Merseyside CH42 1NW. The additional premises is at Trinity Chambers, 4 and 8 Ivy Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 5EF.

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About this inspection

The inspector considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the standards are met.

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About this inspection

This is the second material change in respect to an increase in pupil numbers since the school opened. A previous material change inspection was conducted on 22 October 2025. It is the first material change to use additional premises.

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About this inspection

All pupils have an education, health and care plan. Pupils’ SEND includes social, emotional and mental health needs, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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About this inspection

The school does not make use of any alternative provision.

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About this school

Chair of the proprietor body Christopher Black

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About this school

Type of school Other independent special school Utopia, 16 September 2026 6 Capacity 32

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an education, health and care plan

Email address office@utopiaschools.co.uk

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an education, health and care plan

Website www.utopiaschools.co.uk Utopia, 16 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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