A new £40,000 a year private special school for just 12 children has been told it is likely to meet school standards when it opens by inspectors.
Ofsted carried out a pre-registration inspection at Grow Independent School, based at Lower Clough Business Centre in Pendle Street, Barrowford, in August.
The reports findings concluded the school is “likely to meet all the independent school standards when it opens”.
It said the planned curriculum is appropriate and will “provide a flexible and personalised education for each pupil” and also enrich their “spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) education”.
“Leaders have thought carefully about what they want pupils to learn during their time at the school,” the report said.
“Leaders’ curriculum design considers the specific and individual needs of pupils, all of whom will be pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
“Leaders will assess pupils’ attainment and personal needs when they start at the school. Pupils’ progress and attainment will be assessed regularly.
“They are mindful of the likely wide range of pupils’ abilities and needs. Pupils’ progress will be communicated regularly with parents and those responsible for governance.
“Where appropriate, pupils will complete a range of suitable qualifications, for example GCSEs.”
The report adds that safeguarding policies are in place and suitable training for staff will take place.
On the school’s location – an old mill that’s now a business centre – inspectors said: “The good-sized building has been refurbished by the proprietor body to an appropriate standard.
“The accommodation comprises of a few small teaching rooms, a communal or large teaching space, a kitchen, a reception area and a suite of offices.
“The accommodation throughout is of an appropriate standard and it meets all requirements for the health, safety and welfare of pupils.
“The pupils will have access to an outdoor area that is safe. It will be an appropriate space in which pupils can play when not in lessons.”
Grow Independent School will be part of Grow Schools Limited, with Sarah Hawthorne as headteacher.
Annual fees for the school are between £38,000 and £48,000, with the school to have 12 students aged 11 to 16, and four full-time and four part-time teaching staff, plus three pastoral staff.
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