Safe Start School

Safe Start School is an independent special school for pupils with education, health and care plans, currently registered for ages 11-16 with 27 pupils on roll. This was a material change inspection, commissioned by the DfE, to assess the school's likely compliance with the independent school standards if it expands to ages 11-19. Inspectors found the school is likely to meet the relevant standards if the change is implemented. This was the first material change inspection since a standard inspection in January 2025. The leadership and management standard is likely to be met, with the proprietor and governors showing relevant expertise and careful planning for the older age range. The curriculum, teaching, assessment, pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, welfare and safeguarding, and provision of information are all likely to meet the standards. Notable strengths include a broad and ambitious curriculum tailored to pupils with EHCPs and low starting points, teaching approaches suited to social, emotional and mental health needs, clear assessment and support arrangements, a purposeful personal development programme, and robust safeguarding practice with external audits. Some work remains as the school prepares for the change: schemes of work in a small number of subjects are still being developed and subject experts are being recruited; three additional staff are planned to deliver the full key stage 5 curriculum; and safeguarding action recording is being refined. Overall, no significant concerns were identified, and the school appears well placed to implement the proposed age range change.

Strengths

• Proprietor and leaders understand the independent school standards and have planned carefully for expansion to ages 11-19.
• Governance is rigorous, with external audits and relevant expertise, including further education experience.
• Leaders have designed a broad, ambitious curriculum that builds on pupils' prior learning and is tailored to EHCPs.
• The proposed post-16 offer includes qualifications and accreditations that prepare students for further education, training and employment.
• Teaching approaches are chosen to meet pupils' social, emotional and mental health needs and help them re-engage with learning.
• Leaders have invested in resources, including a life-skills curriculum to support independent living.
• Assessment arrangements are clear and include tools to check numeracy and literacy and identify additional support.
• Staff use EHC plans and family discussions well to understand pupils' needs and plan support from the start.
• The personal, social, health and economic curriculum and enrichment plans promote respect, tolerance, diversity and modern British values.
• Post-16 pupils will benefit from work experience, creative workshops, travel training and life-skills sessions.
• Safeguarding arrangements follow statutory guidance, and the policy is up to date and available to parents.
• Staff receive structured induction and safeguarding training, and safeguarding leaders have higher-level training.
• Leaders commission external safeguarding audits and act promptly when action is required.

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Safe Start School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Safe Start School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Safe Start School is Requires Improvement, from an inspection in June 2026.

When was Safe Start School last inspected by Ofsted?

Safe Start School was last inspected in June 2026.

How many pupils does Safe Start School have?

Safe Start School has 27 pupils on roll.

What age range does Safe Start School cover?

Safe Start School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

What are Safe Start School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 5.5, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Safe Start School?

Safe Start School is at 1, 2, 4 & 5 Henry Square Chambers, Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, Greater Manchester, OL6 7ST.