Foxglove School

Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 1 Foxglove School Westfield Community Centre, Rosemary Way, Westfield, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 0LN

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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 proprietor brings significant experience, skills and knowledge to the roles associated with the leadership and management of independent special schools. It has a successful and well-established record for educating pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) across 7 independent special schools.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proposed school has established a clear leadership structure including a head of school, executive leaders and directors. At each level, the proprietor has identified key responsibilities to provide support for staff and leaders, as well as quality assuring the school’s work. A governing body known as ‘critical friends’ will provide a further layer of accountability. They will regularly and routinely consider the impact of leaders’ work and ensure that leaders’ decisions are made in pupils’ best interests. Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 2 Leaders demonstrate commitment to the principles of inclusion and meeting the needs of pupils with SEND. They are ambitious that pupils will enjoy their education and thrive in a positive and supportive learning environment. The school ethos is precisely defined. Leaders intend to provide pupils with a personalised education underpinned by therapeutic practice.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders demonstrate a detailed understanding of the independent school standards and have systems in place to make regular compliance checks. These checks will include safeguarding, the quality of education and health and safety.

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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 provider as an independent school.

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Curriculum

Across the key stages, leaders have constructed a broad and ambitious curriculum. It has been designed with the needs of pupils with SEND in mind. Pupils will follow one of three pathways in order to reach their personal and academic potential. These pathways are identified as, an academic pathway, an engagement, cognition and learning pathway and an experiential cognition and learning pathway. Programmes of work are in place for each pathway. These plans set out the key knowledge and skills that pupils will need to acquire to ensure that their understanding deepens over time. Reading and an enjoyment of books will be prioritised. Phonics lessons will provide pupils with the skills they need to learn to read. More widely, reading lessons will be targeted to pupils’ specific needs and to support pupils to acquire new vocabulary.

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Curriculum

The curriculum will be underpinned by the school’s therapeutic approach. This will be supported and delivered by qualified and experienced staff. Pupils will have regular opportunities to participate in ‘take out’ sessions. These sessions will provide pupils with the chance to develop key personal skills as well as supporting and encouraging them to recognise their strengths, talents and interests. The school will also provide individual and group therapy sessions to ensure that pupils develop the attributes they need to succeed personally, and academically.

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Teaching

The proprietor will ensure that teachers provide well-planned lessons, drawing on effective teaching methods to deliver the intended curriculum. Learning activities will be inclusive, engaging and tailored to pupils’ needs. Lessons will have clear objectives. Teachers will use a range of resources to deliver the curriculum effectively and to help pupils to understand new concepts and meet the targets in their education, health and care (EHC) plans. Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 3 Staff will receive training to develop their expertise to ensure that they are well placed to adapt the curriculum for pupils. Staff will have the opportunity to work closely with other schools managed by the proprietor. Skilled subject leaders across the group of schools will be on hand to support and train staff.

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Assessment

The proposed school has a clear framework in place to assess pupils’ academic and personal needs. These checks will begin as soon as there is an agreement in place that pupils will join the school. This approach will enable staff to identify pupils’ needs promptly and to ensure that the offer pupils receive is a bespoke design. Pupils’ progress will be monitored half termly through reviews of their personalised plans. This information will be used to inform teaching, track progress, and support personalised planning. Pupils’ progress will be shared with parents and carers through weekly reporting and an annual written report.

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Assessment

The standards 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

The proprietor has given careful consideration to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The personal, social and health education curriculum and the school’s wider offer demonstrates a well-designed and inclusive approach in order to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain. It is planned to extend beyond academic learning to embed personal values, character development and to prepare pupils for their next steps.

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pupils

The proposed school intends that pupils will have the opportunity to visit local parks, the library and the theatre. Pupils will also have the chance to engage with charities, their local community and to participate in key events throughout the school year, including cultural and religious celebrations. The proposed school intends to liaise with the local police community support officer to help pupils understand British law and the difference between right and wrong. Throughout this offer, the proposed school will promote the principles of fundamental British values and ensure that pupils are not exposed to partisan views.

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pupils

Pupils’ mental and physical health will be prioritised. The proposed school’s therapy team and pastoral staff will work closely with pupils to promote positive mental wellbeing and pupils will have plenty of opportunities for physical activity, including regular visits to the local leisure centre. Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 4 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Safeguarding

Appropriate arrangements are in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. The proposed school’s safeguarding policy follows the most up to date guidance from the secretary of state. All safeguarding leaders have received the training they need to fulfil their roles. They are fully aware of their responsibilities to keep pupils safe and ensure that all staff understand their role in relation to safeguarding. Staff will receive appropriate training as part of their induction package as well as ongoing updates. Regular briefings will be used to ensure that staff knowledge is in keeping with the school’s expectations and up to date.

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Safeguarding

The proposed school has secure systems and processes in place to record and analyse safeguarding concerns. Leaders and executive leaders will meet on a regular basis to review and discuss these concerns in order to ensure that the right action has been taken.

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Safeguarding

Leaders will provide staff with a mechanism to report any low-level concerns they may have. There are suitable arrangements in place to monitor and filter pupils’ access to online materials.

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of pupils

The proposed school’s behaviour policy states that across the pathways practice will be rooted in safety and dignity, positive relationships, consistency and predictability and therapeutic and relational support. Leaders anticipate that many pupils may have had a negative experience of school. They intend to prioritise positive relationships between staff and pupils and to ensure that pupils know that they are cared for.

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of pupils

Each pupil will have an individual behaviour plan and risk assessment. There are systems in place to reward pupils when they make good choices. When pupils make the wrong choice, incidents will be recorded. This information will be used to inform any changes that need to be made to pupils’ plans or risk assessment, or to identify further therapy and specialist advice. Staff will receive training to ensure that there is a consistent approach to managing behaviour, including clear boundaries. Wherever possible, staff will use de-escalation strategies to manage challenging behaviour and restrictive physical intervention will be a last resort. Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 5 Staff-to-pupil ratios will be high so that staff will be well placed to spot incidents of bullying. Pupils will be educated about how to recognise bullying, including online bullying. They will be taught to report concerns about any bullying to a trusted

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of pupils

member of staff. Non-speaking pupils will have communication devices to report their concerns and staff will be alert to changes in their behaviour that may help them to spot the signs of bullying. Allegations of bullying will be taken seriously, recorded and categorised. They will be investigated and responded to accordingly.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proposed school has an appropriate health and safety policy in place. Leaders complete a wide range of appropriate weekly, monthly and annual checks including equipment checks, water, gas and electrical checks, site and building checks and vehicle checks. Any resulting recommendations are responded to promptly.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

An external fire risk assessment has been completed and identified actions have been addressed. The school makes regular checks on fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and fire alarms. There is a fire safety policy and evacuation plan in place, including fire drills. Staff have received relevant training and this training will be prioritised for newly appointed staff.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proposed school has written a first-aid policy and ensured that staff have relevant first-aid training, including paediatric first-aid training for all staff. Additional systems relating to first aid are outlined in the accidents policy, medical policy and allergen and anaphylaxis policy. Individual healthcare plans will be completed for identified pupils. There are clear systems in place for the storage and administration of medicine, including parental consent.

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Admissions and attendance

Leaders have written a clear admissions policy. They will keep an admission register that meets the requirements of the standards.

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Admissions and attendance

Leaders will also keep a register to record pupils’ attendance. They will use the codes outlined by the DfE to identify the reasons for pupils’ absence. They intend to use this information to identify pupils who struggle to attend school regularly so that they can offer support to overcome the barriers that they face.

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Risk assessment

The proposed school has a clear risk assessment policy that sets out how leaders will assess and manage risk. The policy identifies key roles and responsibilities. It outlines an agreed 5-step process to identify and respond to risk and how this should be recorded and reviewed. Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 6 There are a range of appropriate risk assessments in place relating to the school building and site, school security, risks associated with activities that pupils will complete on site as well as off-site visits. In addition, each pupil will have an individual risk assessment.

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Risk assessment

The proposed school will ensure that risk assessments are regularly reviewed and amended as required.

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Risk assessment

The standards 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

The proprietor and members of the executive leadership team have completed appropriate safer recruitment training. They are well placed to ensure that staff are suitable to work with pupils through a secure recruitment process. Leaders have completed checks in line with statutory requirements for staff already employed at the proposed school.

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

While the proposed school does not intend to use supply staff, leaders are aware of the procedures they should follow to ensure that these staff are suitable to work with pupils. In addition, the proposed school does not intend to engage volunteers. However, leaders demonstrate a thorough understanding of their responsibility to check the suitability of volunteers, if this does occur.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record (SCR) is compliant with statutory requirements as outlined in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. It includes the checks made for employed staff, members of the proprietor body and ‘critical friends’. The proposed school has systems in place to check that the SCR is accurate and up to date on a regular basis.

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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 provider as an independent school.

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and showers

Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 7 The toilets are appropriate for the age range of pupils, including separate enclosed toilets. Pupils can wash their hands and the hot water is at a safe temperature. Drinking water is available around the school and is clearly marked.

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and showers

There are a number of showers around the school. Changing facilities are available if these are needed. The proposed school intends to use a local leisure centre for physical education, as well as their own outdoor area.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The medical room provides the necessary resources for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils. It includes a bed and washing facilities. The administration of first aid and medication has been considered. First-aid kits are readily available around the school.

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needs of pupils

The proposed school was previously a community centre. It has been refurbished with significant attention to detail and to a high standard. It will provide a bright, attractive space for pupils for pupils to learn and socialise. Pupils’ needs have been thoroughly considered. The building provides pupils with a range of breakout spaces, a therapy room and a ‘home skills’ room where they can prepare for independent living. Appropriate resources are in place so that education can begin immediately if the proposed school opens. Classrooms are appropriate for the number of proposed pupils.

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needs of pupils

The proprietor has given significant attention to health and safety arrangements as the proposed school has been renovated. There are clear policies and processes in place to ensure that pupils’ health and safety is prioritised. For example, the school site is secure and leaders have identified a system to manage the safe arrival and departure of pupils at the start and end of the school day.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Classrooms are well lit, including plenty of natural light. The acoustic conditions are appropriate. The building has external lighting and emergency lighting is in place throughout the building.

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Outdoor space

The proposed school has a secure outdoor space for pupils to exercise and play. There is an additional outdoor space, separate to the main playground, for children in the early years to play and learn together. Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 8 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders are aware of their responsibility to share statutory information with parents. The school’s website provides information including contact details for key staff, the proprietor and the chair of the ‘critical friends’. It also provides parents with access to a range of policies, including the child protection and safeguarding policy, admissions, behaviour, complaints and the curriculum.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Leaders will ensure that parents receive an annual report about the progress of the child. They intend to provide accounts to the local authority detailing the income received and expenditure for each pupil.

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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 provider as an independent school.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proprietor has a written a complaints policy that is available on the school website. This policy clearly sets out the school’s procedure for handling complaints at each stage of the process, as well as the associated timescales for the school’s response. The policy explains that complainants can follow an informal route or escalate their concerns to a more formal process. This includes the right for the complainant to take their complaint to a panel hearing which they have the right to attend and be accompanied.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proprietor will keep copies of all complaints as well as the recommendations made and action taken by the school.

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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 provider as an independent school.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The proposed school has completed an accessibility plan and set targets to improve curriculum access, the physical environment and access to information. The plan is appropriate and meets the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school. Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 9

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Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

The proposed school has worked closely with an early years leader to ensure that the safeguarding, welfare and learning and development requirements of the early years foundation stage are likely to be met. This includes staff training to implement the requirements of ‘Benedict’s Law’, intimate care and eating arrangements as well as completion of paediatric first-aid training.

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Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

The school is likely to meet the regulation in this part.

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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

This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.

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About this inspection

The proposed school is located at Westfield Community Centre, Rosemary Way, Westfield, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 0LN.

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About this inspection

The proposed school intends to accommodate up to 60 pupils aged 3 to 19. Pupils will have a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities, such as social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, moderate learning needs and autism spectrum condition. All pupils will have an education, health and care plan.

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About this inspection

Inspectors spoke with the chair of the proprietor body, the managing director, directors of education, the executive headteacher, the head of school and the chair of the critical friends.

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About this inspection

The proposed school does not intend to use alternative provision.

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Lead inspector

Caroline Poole His Majesty’s Inspector Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 10

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About this proposed school

Proprietor body Hopedale Children and Family Services Ltd

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About this proposed school

Chair of the proprietor body Sarah Deaville

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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: 3 to 19

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an education, health and care plan

Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: Mixed

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teaching staff

Provider’s current position: 9 Provider’s proposal: Up to 30

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teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s current position: 0 Provider’s proposal: 0

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teaching staff

Annual fees for day pupils £67,410 - £114,525 Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 11 Email address office@foxglove.co.uk

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teaching staff

Website Foxgloveschool.co.uk Foxglove School, 7 September 2026 12 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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teaching staff

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teaching staff

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