Labyrinth Education School

Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 1 Labyrinth Education School Willow Farm, Main Road, Langrick, Lincolnshire PE22 7AH

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report:

Overall outcome The school is unlikely 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 (the 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 has considerable experience working in education, particularly working with pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). He is realistic about what he wants to achieve by setting up the proposed school, both in terms of the size of the provision and how it will grow over time. He is clear that improving staff expertise through high-quality training is fundamental to the proposed school’s success.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor understands his statutory responsibilities, including those related to safeguarding and adults’ suitability to work with children. However, the proposed school is not likely to meet all the ISS. The site is not ready to accept pupils. While the majority of the building work has been completed, some is still ongoing. Some aspects of the proposed school’s health and safety arrangements are not suitably robust. Arrangements to assess risk have not been implemented effectively. Plans to improve accessibility, both to the site and the curriculum, lack rigour. In Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 2 addition, the provision for post-16 students has not been given sufficient consideration.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor is mindful that the proposed school needs suitable structures in place to hold leaders to account, particularly given that the proprietor will also be the headteacher initially. He plans to establish a governing body made up of educational experts, who will oversee the quality of the provision and check whether the school meets the ISS securely and consistently over time.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The requirements of the ISS in this part are not likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Curriculum

The proposed school has designed a comprehensive curriculum for key stages 2, 3 and 4. This curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, guided by the national curriculum. Leaders plan to use suitable commercial programmes to support the delivery of phonics and mathematics, while off-site facilities will be used to provide physical education (PE). In addition, the proposed school plans to offer programmes in horticulture, catering and the expressive arts. Leaders have high expectations for the horticulture programme, although it is still in the early stages of being developed.

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Curriculum

The proposed school’s curriculum policy does not consider carefully enough the curriculum that post-16 students will follow. Leaders intend that these students will follow a programme similar to key stage 4, with opportunities for students to consolidate their previous learning. However, leaders have not taken into account the ages, aptitudes and developmental stages of these students sufficiently well to ensure that the curriculum they follow builds on and enhances what has gone before. Leaders have not checked that the post-16 curriculum will provide opportunities for students to make good progress, so that they are prepared well enough to take their next steps in education or training

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Curriculum

In key stages 2, 3 and 4, the curriculum identifies what teachers are expected to teach and when. Leaders aim to take pupils’ interests into account to help pupils engage with learning. Leaders understand that the content must be adapted and personalised to meet the additional need of individual pupils with SEND, as identified in pupils’ education health and care (EHC) plans. Leaders are knowledgeable about strategies they can use to meet a range of different needs. They aim to recruit staff who have the necessary knowledge and skills, for example, in early reading, and provide staff with relevant training if necessary. Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 3 The proposed school’s careers offer is appropriate. Pupils, including post-16 students, will benefit from work-place visits through local employers. These experiences will help to inform the choices they make about their next steps.

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Curriculum

The provision for relationships and sex education meets the statutory requirements for primary- and secondary-age pupils. Important topics such as consent, healthy living and dealing with conflicts are covered, while being mindful of pupils’ own vulnerabilities.

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Teaching

Leaders have thought carefully about the proposed school’s curriculum intentions and about the nature of the provision they will offer to pupils. Their plans are realistic and deliverable. A balance of academic study, alongside appropriate therapeutic support, will help pupils engage with learning.

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Teaching

The proprietor intends to use his own experience of working in specialist settings to ensure that teaching methods and resources are appropriate. Close monitoring by the proprietor will check that the curriculum is of a consistently high quality and delivered well. A comprehensive programme of training will encourage staff to develop their own expertise and share positive practice. This will ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the curriculum effectively and provide pupils with the right support, in line with pupils’ EHC plans.

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Teaching

The curriculum is well thought out in many subject areas. In time, leaders intend to develop longer term subject plans, informed by the needs of the pupils on roll, to ensure that the curriculum in each subject is progressive and well sequenced over time, so that pupils progress well.

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Assessment

Leaders appreciate the importance of tracking pupils’ progress against their individual goals to ensure that the curriculum suits each pupil’s needs. When pupils join the school, leaders will check pupils’ starting points in literacy and numeracy. An assessment framework is in place to check how well pupils secure their knowledge and skills over time in different subjects before they move on to the next stage. Leaders intend to enhance this assessment process further as long-term curriculum plans develop.

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Assessment

Pupils will be able to attain a range of suitable accreditations and qualifications in both academic and vocational subjects, as well as foundational skills and life skills.

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Assessment

Not all the requirements of the ISS in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school. Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 4

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pupils

Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is threaded through all aspects of the curriculum. Pupils who are likely to have experienced difficulties in education previously will have plenty of opportunities to develop their confidence and self-esteem and to build positive relationships with others. They will learn to appreciate right from wrong and to develop their ability to manage their behaviour, helped by therapeutic support.

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pupils

Through the curriculum, pupils will be encouraged to share and discuss their views so that they can make their own informed decisions. The protected characteristics, equality and diversity and fundamental British values will be highlighted often. Policies make it clear that the sharing of partisan political views will not be tolerated.

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pupils

Leaders will identify opportunities for pupils to contribute both to the school community and more widely. This work will help pupils understand their role in society and nurture their sense of belonging and responsibility. Pupils will realise that their actions can make a positive difference.

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pupils

All the requirements of 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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Safeguarding

The proposed school’s safeguarding arrangements are set out in a suitable policy that is available on the school’s website.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor is knowledgeable about his safeguarding responsibilities. He is aware of recent updates to the statutory guidance, for example, in relation to online monitoring and filtering, mobile phone usage and the management of allergies. Training for staff will ensure that they understand their role in relation to safeguarding. Regular staff briefings will keep them up to date about specific issues in the local area and circumstances that affect individual pupils.

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Safeguarding

The proposed school has secure systems and processes to record and analyse safeguarding concerns so that leaders can act swiftly to keep pupils safe. Leaders have considered how best to share safeguarding information with external professionals, including as part of pupils’ transitions into and out of the proposed setting. Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 5 Information about allegations against staff and raising low-level concerns will be shared with staff as part of the induction process so that they know how to flag any issues.

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supervision of pupils

Appropriate behaviour and anti-bullying policies focus on developing respectful relationships and building pupils’ confidence. Pupils’ successes will be highlighted and celebrated. Staff will focus on understanding the needs of each pupil and how best to support them. The proposed school will only use suspensions as a last resort.

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supervision of pupils

Leaders’ priority is to create a school with a community feel, where bullying of any type is not tolerated. A range of strategies will be used to encourage pupils to be respectful of others. Should bullying happen, leaders will act swiftly to support both the victim and the perpetrator to limit reoccurrence.

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supervision of pupils

Leaders will track pupils’ behaviour and any incidents of bullying closely. They will use this information to pick up any patterns or trends so that pupils’ support plans can be updated, if necessary, and the school’s programme of personal development can be modified in response.

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supervision of pupils

Leaders understand the statutory guidance relating to reasonable force, restraint and seclusion. Policies make it clear that these strategies will only be used when all other options have been exhausted. All staff will complete training in the appropriate use of restraint. In the unlikely event that a pupil is restrained, there are suitable procedures in place to record its use and any follow-up actions, and to provide relevant and timely details to parents or carers.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor has had recent training to oversee the implementation of the proposed school’s health and safety policy. He has carried out some of the checks necessary, for example, relating to fire safety, and the quality and temperature of water. External experts have checked other aspects, such as the proposed school’s electricity and gas supplies. However, there are a number of health and safety concerns that have yet to be acted on. Failure to complete these puts pupils at potential risk of harm. These risks relate to, for example, the unfinished outside space to the rear of the school building, weak arrangements for the management of hazardous substances and sharps and a lack of effectively implemented risk assessments for the proposed school’s buildings and outside spaces.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

A recent fire risk assessment indicates that the proposed school’s fire safety arrangements are suitable. Ongoing checks of the proposed school’s fire safety Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 6 equipment and evacuation procedures are recorded carefully. There are also suitable plans in place to carry out and record the administration of first aid and medication. New first-aid kits are well stocked and available for use. The proprietor has completed relevant fire safety and first-aid training. Staff will complete fire safety and first-aid training as part of their induction programme.

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Supervision

The proposed school’s plans to supervise pupils are appropriate, both onsite and when pupils are involved in off-site activities. Leaders are mindful that some pupils may need supervising more closely due to their particular needs.

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Admissions and attendance

The admission register will record all the information necessary about pupils on the proposed school’s roll. The proprietor will oversee the register.

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Admissions and attendance

Pupils’ attendance will be recorded electronically using appropriate codes, as prescribed by the DfE, for each session. There are clear procedures for when the register closes, and the actions staff will take should a pupil not attend as expected.

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Risk assessment

The proposed school’s risk assessment policy provides guidance on evaluating risks and the actions needed to minimise them. The policy considers how to assess risks relating to the school’s site, to pupils and to activities, both on and off site. It also takes into account any additional risks relating to pupils with SEND.

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Risk assessment

However, leaders have not implemented the risk assessment policy effectively for aspects where this is already possible. For example, they have not assessed the risks posed by the location of the proposed school’s site on a busy road or the school’s car park that is used by other providers on the same site. Leaders have not considered risks in the school’s outdoor social space or when pupils are moving around the school’s site. They have not evaluated the risks posed by using local leisure facilities to fulfil the school’s curriculum offer for PE and how to mitigate these.

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Risk assessment

The ISS in this part are not all likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school. Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 7

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record (SCR) is compliant with statutory requirements. It is an electronic record of the recruitment checks carried out by leaders before adults start to work at the proposed school.

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has a good understanding of how to carry out the necessary checks on new staff, including individuals who have lived or worked overseas. Leaders will track these checks to ensure that they are completed in a timely manner, and in full, before an individual takes up their role.

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

As the proposed school grows, leaders plan to engage some supply staff through a known external agency. The intention is to offer these individuals permanent positions if they are suitable. Leaders are aware of the procedures they should follow to assure themselves that these individuals are suitable to work with pupils.

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and the single central record of these recruitment checks

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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and showers

There is a sufficient number of separate, enclosed toilets for the proposed number of pupils. This includes 2 toilets that are accessible. Each toilet is supplied with suitable washing facilities. Hot water is of a safe temperature so that it does not pose a risk of scalding.

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and showers

Drinking water is available for pupils throughout the day and is marked as such.

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and showers

Changing accommodation and a shower are available on the proposed school site. However, leaders intend to use local leisure facilities for all physical education activities.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The room that leaders have allocated for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils is not suitable. While there is a toilet nearby, the room does not have the necessary washing facilities. It is not equipped with appropriate furniture to keep pupils comfortable while being treated. Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 8

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needs of pupils

The main school building has been converted recently and is in a good state of repair, for example, with new windows, modern fixtures and fittings and a pathway designed to make the ground floor accessible to all. There is enough space to accommodate the proposed number of pupils, taking into account the planned outdoor learning space.

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needs of pupils

However, work to ensure that the buildings and surrounding open space are safe is ongoing. This means that the proposed school is not ready to accept pupils. For example, the large open space to the rear of the site that leaders plan to use with pupils for horticulture and animal care is accessible to the general public and not fit for use. Pupils could leave the building and the site itself unaccompanied, and this risk has not been assessed. Similarly, a lack of effective window restrictors, no arrangements in place for the management of sharp implements or hazardous substances and some unprotected heaters all pose a risk of harm to pupils.

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needs of pupils

The proprietor has prepared suitable checks to safeguard pupils’ health, safety and welfare needs. However, these checks cannot be implemented effectively until the remaining issues with the buildings and the site are resolved.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

There is suitable internal and external lighting. Many of the rooms also benefit from natural light. Internal emergency lighting has been installed recently.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The acoustic conditions are appropriate throughout the building.

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Outdoor space

There is a suitable outdoor space to the side and rear of the building for pupils to use for play during social times. However, this space is not suitable for PE. While it is intended that pupils will use community sports facilities for PE, at the time of the inspection, leaders had not made sure that these arrangements were securely in place.

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Outdoor space

The ISS in this part are not all 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 the information that they need to make available to parents. This includes information about the curriculum, behaviour, admissions, complaints and safeguarding. Some of this information is available through the proposed Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 9 school’s website, while other information is available on request. Leaders are in the process of updating the website so that all the information required is available online.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Each year, leaders will provide information on their use of local authority funding to support individual pupils. The proposed school will make sure that parents receive annual updates that summarise how well their children are progressing, as well as informing parents about incidents involving the use of force, restraint or seclusion, as required by DfE guidance (April 2026).

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Part 6. Provision of information

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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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proposed school’s complaints policy is available on the school’s website and on request. The policy outlines what parents should do if they have a concern about any aspect of the proposed school’s work, both informally and formally. Each stage is explained clearly and the time frame for each step is provided. Leaders will retain a written record of all complaints and the actions they take in response, irrespective of the complaint outcome.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

All the requirements of 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 school’s accessibility plan

The proposed school’s accessibility plan is not sufficiently detailed. Issues identified by leaders to improve access to the curriculum, information and the physical environment are vague. Actions set out to resolve these concerns lack precision and direct relevance to the setting. The plan does not set out suitable time frames to improve accessibility or allocate suitable resources to enact the plan.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The proposed school is not likely to meet the regulation in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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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 Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 10 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

Inspectors spoke with the chair of the proprietor body, who is also the headteacher, and a qualified teacher that the school intends to employ. Inspectors conducted a tour of the proposed school’s site to check the suitability of the premises. They scrutinised a range of documents, including policies, curriculum plans and assessment information. They also considered evidence relating to the proposed school’s health and safety arrangements, including information about risk assessments, and checked the arrangements for safeguarding and staff recruitment, including the proposed school’s SCR.

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About this inspection

Inspectors confirmed the following information about the proposed school:

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About this inspection

The proposed school plans to accommodate up to 20 pupils between the ages of 8 and 18 years.

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About this inspection

The proposed school’s application to the DfE states that it will cater for a wide range of SEND, including those with complex medical needs. During the inspection, the proprietor confirmed that the school would focus on meeting the needs of pupils with autism. All pupils on roll will each have an EHC plan.

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About this inspection

The proposed school does not intend to use alternative provision.

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About this proposed school

Proprietor body Labyrinth Education Ltd.

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About this proposed school

Chair of the proprietor body Michael Hayden Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 11 Headteacher Michael Hayden

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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: 8 to 18

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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 current position: 0

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teaching staff

Email address mhayden@labyrinth-ed.co.uk

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teaching staff

Website https://labyrinth-ed.co.uk Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 12

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(g) where the school has pupils above compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their needs; – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 13  24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including- – 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility; and – 24(1)(c) where a school caters for pupils with complex needs, additional medical accommodation which caters for those needs.  25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.  29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable- – 29(1)(a) physical education to be provided to pupils in accordance with the school curriculum.

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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 – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. Labyrinth Education School, 17 September 2026 14 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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