The Becklands School

The Becklands School, 17 September 2026 1 The Becklands School Unit 18, Becklands Park Industrial Estate, York Road, Market Weighton, East Yorkshire YO43 3GA

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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 change the age range of pupils and change the maximum number of pupils.

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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 and leaders have suitable knowledge and expertise to fulfil their responsibilities. They understand the requirements of the ISS and make regular checks on compliance. The proprietor has arrangements in place to ensure the school’s continued compliance with the ISS should the material changes be approved.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders have reviewed the school’s current policies and procedures and adapted them where necessary to ensure that they are equally applicable to the ages and The Becklands School, 17 September 2026 2 stages of current pupils and the proposed extended age range. Leaders have existing and relevant expertise in supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and other related special educational needs (SEND). Curriculum and teaching and other systems and procedures show careful regard to pupils’ needs and how to keep pupils safe.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders have ensured that the school has sufficient space, furniture, resources and staffing to provide high-quality care and education for pupils. They have considered the type of curriculum younger pupils will require and how these pupils will be taught and supported. Classroom spaces and outside play areas are suitable to accommodate the proposed material changes.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The ISS in this part are likely to be met if the material changes are approved.

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Curriculum

Leaders have designed and implemented an ambitious and logically sequenced curriculum that includes appropriate content for pupils in key stage 2. The knowledge and skills pupils need to know are clearly identified and mapped across the age range for different subjects. Pupils learn through one of three different pathways. These pathways are flexible so that pupils can move between them when needed. Each pathway has key themes that are focused on preparing pupils for adulthood and life in the wider world. Pupils’ social, emotional and mental health needs are at the centre of learning themes with planned opportunities to help pupils to learn about their needs and how to manage them. Leaders review how well the curriculum meets pupils’ needs regularly. They ensure that staff design learning to meet pupils’ individual education, health and care plan (EHC plan) requirements precisely.

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Curriculum

The school provides effective training and support to develop staff expertise. Leaders work with pupils, their families and external professionals to identify the right curriculum and support for pupils. The school’s blend of educational, vocational and therapeutic provision enables pupils to engage in school life in different ways while maintaining an important focus on foundational knowledge and skills in communication, reading, writing and mathematics. For example, pupils apply their reading and mathematics skills when learning to care for animals and maintain mountain bikes.

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Curriculum

Leaders have identified that most pupils have missed significant periods of education before coming to The Becklands. They understand the importance of pupils learning to read well. The school has a suitable phonics programme to support pupils in the early stages of learning to read, and staff are trained to teach The Becklands School, 17 September 2026 3 phonics. Handwriting and mathematics schemes of work are appropriate and provide structure and clear expectations so that staff know what to teach and when.

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Curriculum

The school’s personal, social and health education (PSHE) covers the necessary age-appropriate knowledge and skills. It includes statutory content for the teaching of relationships and sex education and health education. Pupils receive extra teaching and support when needed on an individual basis. The school’s careers programme is suitable and includes independent careers advice and guidance. Pupils take part in work experience and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Staff support pupils in applying for college courses, apprenticeships and training opportunities. The curriculum is appropriate for the proposed material changes.

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Teaching

Leaders have relevant knowledge and experience of teaching and working in the primary and specialist sector. They have ensured that staff who will teach key stage 2 pupils have the necessary experience and understanding of primary-aged pupils. Expectations for learning are consistent across both school sites. Staff teach the intended curriculum well. They have secure subject knowledge and understand how to use pupils’ EHC plans to inform teaching and learning. Staff provide regular opportunities for pupils to revisit previous learning and explain their thinking.

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Teaching

Staff utilise effective teaching strategies and resources to meet the diversity of pupils’ needs. For example, the school provides practical and therapeutic outdoor learning to help pupils to engage in education and support their mental health needs. This is provided alongside an academic focus, which ensures that pupils secure important foundations of academic knowledge. Pupils benefit from small group and personalised learning. Staff get to know pupils well and gain a secure understanding of what motivates them. They use this insight to design learning that supports and encourages pupils’ progress through the curriculum. Leaders and staff demonstrate the necessary expertise to support the material changes appropriately.

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Assessment

Staff check what pupils know and can remember when they join the school. They use this information to adapt their teaching and address barriers to pupils’ learning or wellbeing. Leaders utilise a range of formal and informal regular checks on learning during the academic year to assure themselves that pupils make sufficient progress through the curriculum from their starting points. They complete additional assessments to support staff in meeting pupils’ individual SEND such as for communication and speech and language needs. The school has suitable The Becklands School, 17 September 2026 4 systems in place to track the progress pupils make towards their EHC plan outcomes. Pupils work towards achieving a variety of qualifications by the end of their time at the school. The school’s current assessment procedures are suitable for the proposed material changes.

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Assessment

The ISS in this part are likely to be met if the material changes are approved.

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pupils

The school has a comprehensive curriculum for PSHE, which actively promotes pupils’ wellbeing. This includes pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Additional whole-school events and enrichment opportunities provide pupils with a variety of experiences. Leaders closely link these experiences to the curriculum and pupils’ individual EHC plan requirements, enabling pupils to grow in confidence and self-awareness.

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pupils

The school’s PSHE curriculum has been extended to ensure that content is appropriate for the proposed younger children and current pupils. Leaders ensure that teaching is delivered in a balanced manner. Pupils learn about fundamental British values, mental health, equality and diversity. Specific topics consider teaching about different cultures and the importance of tolerance and respect. Primary pupils will develop their understanding of right and wrong and learn about different faiths and beliefs in addition to their own.

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pupils

Pupils benefit from opportunities to care for the school’s animals and learn practical life skills. Older pupils participate in work experience. All pupils take part in activities that enrich their learning and broaden their understanding of the wider world. The curriculum and provision are suitable for the proposed material changes.

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pupils

The ISS in this part are likely to be met if the material changes are approved.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has an appropriate accessibility plan. The proprietor has ensured that the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 have been considered in the design of the school’s provision including the proposed material changes and across its curriculum, policies and procedures. The Becklands School, 17 September 2026 5

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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 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

The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor board, the headteacher and the heads of school for both school sites. The inspector discussed the school’s arrangements for the proposed material change, reviewed relevant documentation, visited some lessons, scrutinised samples of pupils’ work and toured both school sites with leaders.

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About this inspection

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

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About this inspection

The school has applied to the Department for Education to change the age range of pupils that it is registered to admit from aged 11 to 18 to aged 9 to 18. It has also applied to increase the maximum number of pupils from 30 to 50.

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About this inspection

The school provides education for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an EHC plan.

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About this inspection

The school operates from two sites. The second site is located at: Station Lane, Holme-on Spalding Moor, Pocklington York YO43 4AL.

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About this inspection

The school currently uses two unregistered alternative provisions.

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Lead inspector

Stephanie Innes-Taylor His Majesty’s Inspector

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About this school

Proprietor body The Becklands School Ltd The Becklands School, 17 September 2026 6 Chair of the proprietor body Vicky Simpson

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About this school

Type of school Other independent special school

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an education, health and care plan

Email address claire.horsfield@thebecklands.co.uk

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an education, health and care plan

Website www.thebecklands.co.uk The Becklands School, 17 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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