The owners of a proposed independent special school in Bristol have been blocked from opening after Ofsted inspectors ruled it was unlikely to meet necessary standards.
The school would occupy a building in the grounds of Clifton Rugby Club for up to 50 pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) aged seven to 16.
But a pre-registration inspection report by Ofsted says the organisation that would run it, Meliorate Institute Education and Training (MIET), is far from ready and will miss a long list of requirements, so it needs to go back to the drawing board.
It means the Department for Education (DfE) will almost certainly refuse to let it open until these are met.
MIET, an established provider of apprenticeships, community education and training, says it understands where its submission needs more work and would reapply to open the school at the site in Station Road, Henbury, when this is completed.
Ofsted’s report said: “The proprietor is committed to providing inclusive education for pupils with SEMH needs.Along with other leaders, it shares the same moral imperative to enhance the life chances of vulnerable pupils and give them hope for future success.
“The headteacher brings many years of experience in leading provision for pupils with SEND.Nevertheless, the proprietor has not ensured that the proposed school is ready to open.”
It is a criminal offence for an independent school to operate before it has approval to open.
A MIET spokesperson said: “We have understood the areas where our submission needs further work and are reapplying to open the school for learners with SEMH as soon as we feel the standards will be met.”
The school hopes to open in either May or September.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service