Roaches School

Roaches School, 22 September 2026 1 Roaches School Tunstall Road, Knypersley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 7AB

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report:

Overall outcome The school meets all of the independent school standards that were checked during this inspection

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report:

At its most recent inspection, the school was judged to not meet all of the independent school standards (ISS) and associated requirements.

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report:

The purpose of this inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the ISS and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.

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report:

In addition, the Department for Education commissioned inspectors to check that some standards in Part 3 that relate to welfare, health and safety of pupils remained met.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out progress monitoring 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

At the previous progress monitoring inspection, the proprietor had not ensured that the school’s plans to improve the quality of education, and provision for SMSC had been realised. Leaders had introduced a range of changes, but it was too early for those measures to have had an impact. In addition, the school was not correctly recording pupil absence in line with Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. As a result, there remained unmet standards relating to Parts 1, 2, 3 and 8.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders produced an action plan that explained their plans for meeting these standards. These plans were appropriate and demonstrate that leaders understand their roles and Roaches School, 22 September 2026 2 how to bring about improvement. The actions on the plan have now been completed to an extent whereby all the previously unmet standards are now met. Additional standards that inspectors checked in this inspection also remain met.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor, supported by the school’s governing body, holds the headteacher and senior leaders to account through regular communication and monitoring. The school’s quality assurance processes, as determined in the action plan, cover all aspects of school provision. These checks provide leaders with the information they need to identify concerns, monitor patterns and take appropriate action when required. The proprietor has ensured that school leaders and governors have the knowledge and expertise they need to fulfil their responsibilities in meeting the standards.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that the previously unmet standard in this part is now met.

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Curriculum

In the first progress monitoring inspection, inspectors found that the school had designed a broad and appropriate curriculum, including a coherent programme for, careers education, reading, and relationships and sex education. The curriculum was supported by detailed plans of what pupils needed to know. However, the curriculum had not been implemented. While leaders had identified appropriate schemes of work they had not been introduced. At this time, teachers had not had training to support them to implement this curriculum effectively. Pupils in the secondary phase were not learning a curriculum that had sufficient breadth. Teachers were not adapting learning to meet the requirements of pupils’ education health and care plans.

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Curriculum

The school produced an action plan which contained a detailed timetable of training and support for staff so that they could deliver the new curriculum effectively. Leaders have ensured that this training has taken place. As a result, pupils in the secondary phase are now learning a curriculum that is broad and covers all required areas of learning. This curriculum considers the ages and aptitudes of the pupils. Learning is adapted to take account of pupils’ needs. For example, pupils who need support with reading receive support from trained staff using a newly purchased reading and phonics scheme. Pupils also benefit from a coherent personal, social health and economic education (PSHE) programme and an appropriate programme of relationships and sex education. Careers provision is organised so that pupils receive effective advice, support and experiences to be ready for their next steps.

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Teaching and assessment

In the first progress monitoring inspection, the school had started work to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the secondary phase, but this training was not complete and so was not having the impact that leaders intended. The school’s approach to Roaches School, 22 September 2026 3 assessment was in its infancy and was not detailed or well used enough to give staff a clear picture of what pupils know, and what they needed to learn next.

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Teaching and assessment

The school’s action plan outlined how leaders intended to deliver a comprehensive programme of training and support for staff to enhance the quality of teaching in the secondary phase. This included training in adaptive teaching for pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities. The action plan describes leaders’ timely plans to identify professional development priorities for teachers through a programme of quality assurance. While this programme is still ongoing, much of it has already been successfully delivered. As a result, teaching is now effective throughout the school. Pupils’ work in books is of a good quality. Pupils take pride in their work. This aligns with leader’s aim to have a strong focus on effective learning. The newly established assessment systems, outlined in the action plan are comprehensive and well considered. They are beginning to support staff well with understanding where pupils have gaps in their

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Teaching and assessment

knowledge. All staff have been trained and understand the systems. Leaders plan to continue to support staff with future moderation to ensure consistency and accuracy.

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Teaching and assessment

The proprietor has ensured that the previously unmet standards in this part are now met.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

At the previous monitoring inspection, pupils in the secondary phase were not studying a coherent programme to support their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC). While leaders had plans to introduce a new scheme for PSHE that would support much of this learning, this had not been implemented.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

The action plan describes leaders’ intentions to design a mapped SMSC curriculum, integrating learning about PSHE, British values, protected characteristics, careers, and enrichment opportunities. This was supported by plans for coaching for staff so that they have the skills to embed elements of SMSC across the wider curriculum. These plans have been fulfilled successfully. All pupils now benefit from a carefully planned SMSC programme that covers all the required elements to meet the standards. The programme has helped pupils in the secondary phase to re-engage with learning.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

The proprietor has ensured that the previously unmet standard in this part is now met.

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Safeguarding

At the previous progress monitoring inspection, the standards that relate to safeguarding were evaluated as met. They remain met. Leaders have continued to ensure that there is a robust culture of safeguarding. They review their practice routinely to bring about further improvements, for instance by introducing electronic systems to ensure the precision of recording keeping. Leaders work constructively with wider agencies to ensure Roaches School, 22 September 2026 4 that pupils are kept safe. Staff complete comprehensive training in relation to safeguarding. They receive updates on pupils’ changing circumstances and share and record any issues that they identify promptly. The school has implemented and shared an effective safeguarding policy.

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Behaviour, anti-bullying and supervision of pupils

Leaders introduced refreshed systems and policies for behaviour and bullying following the standard inspection in September 2025. These were successful in improving behaviour and at the previous progress monitoring inspection standards relating to pupils’ behaviour were met. This remains the case at this inspection. The behaviour policy is commonly understood and implemented effectively. Pupils are adequately supervised at all times and interactions are effective. Relationships between staff and pupils are positive throughout the school. Staff support pupils to reengage with learning if they become unsettled. Pupils trust staff to deal with any incidents fairly. There are very few bullying incidents at the school. When these incidents occur, they are managed well and recorded appropriately. Leaders use detailed and comprehensive records of behaviour incidents to help them identify and anticipate how pupils will respond to different situations.

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Admissions and attendance

In the previous monitoring inspection, inspectors found that some absence was recorded incorrectly. The attendance register was not maintained in line with the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. In the action plan leaders outlined plans to review their procedures, improve record keeping and deliver training for administrative staff. Leaders have successfully acted on their plans. Attendance is now high profile for the leadership team. In line with the action plan, a new electronic system has been established, and absence coding is used correctly. Leaders now have accurate information, and they use this to swiftly address concerns about pupil attendance. This means the standard relating to attendance is now met.

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Risk assessment

At the previous progress monitoring inspection, the school had ensured that suitable risk assessments were in place for a range of activities as well as for individual pupils. These were detailed and provided staff with the information they needed to keep pupils safe. The proprietor has ensured that these standards continue to be met. Leaders have continued to regularly review their risk assessments. This means that the school continues to take appropriate action to mitigate potential risks and keep pupils safe.

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Use of restrictive interventions

The proprietor has ensured that there is a policy in place that identifies the intended procedures for incidents where pupils are restrained or secluded. Staff have received appropriate training so that these procedures are complied with, and incidents are recorded in line with statutory guidelines under section 93A of the Education and Roaches School, 22 September 2026 5 Inspections Act 2006. Leaders maintain detailed records of such incidents, and these are appropriately shared with parents and carers, and the local authority.

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Use of restrictive interventions

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are met.

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

The standards relating to the recruitment checks made on staff were met at the previous inspection. Effective procedures are in place to ensure that this continues to be the case. Leaders ensure that all required recruitment checks are completed in a timely manner before staff commence employment.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

All required staff suitability checks are recorded on the school’s single central record. The single central record complies with current statutory requirements. Record keeping is detailed and is regularly checked by leaders and governors.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are met.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has ensured that the procedures for recording use of force, restraint and seclusion are shared with parents and carers. The policy is available on the school website.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are met.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school’s accessibility plan, available on the website, outlines how the school meets its obligations under schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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About this inspection

The inspectors carried out this inspection under sections 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. Inspectors checked the school’s 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 updated inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMI. Roaches School, 22 September 2026 6 The school’s most recent standard inspection took place on 23 to 25 September 2025. At this inspection, the school was evaluated to not comply with the standards.

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About this inspection

Following the first progress monitoring inspection in March 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) required the school to prepare an action plan. This plan was statutory. Ofsted evaluated this action plan acceptable in June 2026. The DfE accepted the school’s action plan in July 2026.

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About this inspection

This was the second progress monitoring inspection since the standard inspection in September 2025. The first progress monitoring inspection took place in March 2026. At that time, the school was evaluated to not comply with the standards.

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About this inspection

The inspection was carried out without notice.

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About this inspection

Inspectors spoke with the proprietor, chair of governors, headteacher and senior leaders.

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About this inspection

The inspectors confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

The school operates from three sites. Secondary aged pupils attend the upper school at Tunstall Road, Knypersley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 7AB. Primary age pupils attend the lower school at Lower Roach End Farm, Meerbrook, Near Leek, Staffordshire ST13 8TA. There is an additional premises used for vocational study for secondary pupils at Brown Lees, Knypersley, Stoke-on-Trent ST8 7DN.

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About this inspection

The majority of pupils who attend this school have an education, health and care plan. The school provides education for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.

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About this inspection

The school does not have a religious ethos.

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About this inspection

The school does not currently use any alternative provision.

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About this school

Headteacher Mrs Emma Myatt Roaches School, 22 September 2026 7 Type of school Other independent special school

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education, health and care plan

Email address emmaj@caretodayparallelparents.net

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education, health and care plan

Website www.roachesschool.net Roaches School, 22 September 2026 8 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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education, health and care plan

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education, health and care plan

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education, health and care plan

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