Wilds Lodge School

School material change inspection report

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Wilds Lodge School Stamford Road, Empingham, Oakham LE15 8QQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i) and (ii)  The school has in place an appropriate curriculum policy, together with suitable schemes of work for all subjects taught. These take account of the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils. The curriculum and schemes are suitable to meet the needs and requirements of any girls admitted as a result of the proposed change.  Girls admitted to the school would have individual education, health and care plans. The school has a successful track record of adapting the curriculum to meet the individual needs of each pupil.  The school’s curriculum policy and schemes of work promote fundamental British values. Paragraphs 2(2), 2(2)(a) and (b), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i) and (ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i) to (iii), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The curriculum provides all pupils with access to all the required areas of learning. All

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Main inspection findings

pupils have access to a suitable balance of academic and vocational courses and experiences.  The vocational courses provided include mechanics, computer-aided design and catering. Individual arrangements are also made for pupils to attend alternative vocational courses and activities at local colleges and providers. These alternative courses and activities include health and social care, hair and beauty, and equestrian activities. The school has established a strong track record of making imaginative curriculum arrangements in response to individual pupils’ needs.  Pupils can develop skills and interests in drama, music and art, including activities based in the school’s purpose-built theatre. These activities are ready-made for mixed gender participation.  The school’s programme of personal, social and health education includes age- appropriate work on all aspects of the protected characteristics in the 2010 Equality

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Main inspection findings

Act. The school has well-developed practice in terms of its work on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) provision.  The school is already registered to admit girls, as day pupils up to the age of 11 years and into its nurture provision. The school’s educational psychologist works extensively with staff to develop their understanding and practice in responding to individual pupils’ needs.  The school has a strong pastoral system in place, including four specialised therapists who work with individual pupils, together with a dedicated pastoral staff team. Their combined experience and expertise are equally available to support girls or boys within the school’s existing curriculum and pastoral structures.  The school’s careers adviser works, individually and in groups, with pupils from Year 8 onwards. The school has established strong and effective links with local colleges and is able to support both girls and boys in selecting appropriate courses of further study

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Main inspection findings

at the end of Year 11 or following post-16 provision at the school. Paragraphs 3, 3(a) to (j), 4  The inspector visited a number of teaching groups, at both sites, during the inspection visit. Pupils are interested in their work. They work successfully in small groups, supported effectively by teachers and teaching assistants. Work, for example in mathematics, is planned effectively to ensure that each pupil is actively engaged in challenging learning pitched at a level appropriate to their individual learning needs.  Classrooms and common areas throughout the school are bright and welcoming. The display of pupils’ work, including the mix of colours and presentational styles, is sensitive to the variety of pupils’ personal preferences and tastes.  The standards in Part 1 are likely to continue to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) approves implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and (b)  The school’s safeguarding policy has regard to the latest government guidance, including ‘Keeping children safe in education’, September 2018.  The safeguarding policy, which is published on the school’s website, defines clear roles and responsibilities for staff at all levels of responsibility. The policy makes clear the school’s commitment to regular refresher training in all aspects of safeguarding for those with designated responsibilities and for all staff. For example, all staff have received recent training related to female genital mutilation, child sexual exploitation and the prevention of radicalisation.  The safeguarding policy is implemented effectively and monitored appropriately by senior leaders. All staff are aware of how to manage any concerns or disclosures, and lines of communication are clear, together with arrangements for recording any

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Main inspection findings

concerns.  The safeguarding policy includes contact details for relevant external services, including the designated officer of the local authority. The policy is appropriately cross-referenced to other school policies, including the staff recruitment policy.  The school’s website provides additional information for parents and carers about on- line safety, e-safety within the curriculum, and a link to additional online resources, including the DfE ‘Parent info’ site. The website also provides an electronic contact form for parents to communicate any safeguarding concerns. Paragraphs 9, 9(a) to 9(c), 10, 13, 14  School policies have been reviewed recently, including those for managing behaviour and bullying, the administration of first aid and the supervision of pupils.  Appropriate procedures are in place for the implementation and oversight of policies, including those for rewards and sanctions. Staff training is up to date for aspects such

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Main inspection findings

as first aid and the recording of accidents and incidents. A school nurse is available to attend to the individual medical, emotional and mental health needs of boys and girls.  All policies refer to pupils or students, as appropriate, ensuring that they apply to both boys and girls. Paragraphs 11, 12, 15, 16, 16(a) and (b)  Senior leaders oversee appropriate policies and procedures for health and safety, including risk assessments. Appropriate risk assessments are in place for pupils, which take account of individual vulnerabilities and characteristics.  The school’s policies and procedures for ensuring that safety, assessing risk and completing regular premises checks and maintenance are appropriate to serve the needs of a mixed-gender community.  The standards in Part 3 are likely to continue to be met if the DfE approves implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a) to (c), 24(1), 24(1)(a) and (b), 24(2)  Suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided separately for pupils and staff.  There are a number of gender-neutral toilet and washing facilities available for pupils throughout the school site. These consist of individual rooms that can be secured from the inside and intended for use by one pupil at a time. There are additional toilets and washrooms available for boys due to the greater number of boys than girls, resulting from the residential provision which will continue to admit only boys.  There are sufficient toilets to cater for the increased number of girls.  Suitable changing rooms and showers are provided for boys. These can accommodate the small teaching groups operating in the school.  Suitable changing rooms are also provided separately for girls. The changing room is

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Main inspection findings

suitable to accommodate a full teaching group. The current shower arrangements for girls are suitable to accommodate the one or two female pupils likely to be admitted immediately.  The school has completed a minor refurbishment to provide additional showers for girls adjacent to the girls’ changing room. The showers are in place and functioning. A partition wall is in place to separate these showers from the boys’ changing and shower facilities.  The school’s existing facilities for medical examination meet the requirements of the independent school standards. The existing facilities are sufficient to cater appropriately for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a) and (b)  The school premises and accommodation consist of purpose-built buildings on two sites. These provide extensive accommodation for the full curriculum. The premises include a dedicated post-16 block.  The premises, accommodation and facilities are maintained and decorated to a very

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Main inspection findings

high standard. The acoustic conditions and lighting meet statutory requirements.  The premises and accommodation provide sufficient space to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers in all areas of the curriculum. Paragraphs 28(1), 28(1)(a) to (d), 28(2), 28(2)(a) and (b)  All the standards related to the provision of hot and cold water and drinking water are currently met. These facilities are sufficient to meet the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Paragraphs 29(1), 29(1)(a) and (b)  The school has extensive outdoor space for pupils to play and for physical education to be provided in accordance with the school curriculum. The current spaces are sufficient to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  The standards in Part 5 are likely to continue to be met if the DfE approves implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a) to (c)  The proprietor and senior leaders have ensured that the school meets all the standards relevant to their application to admit girls as day pupils and to increase the registered capacity of the school.  The standards in Part 8 are likely to continue to be met if the DfE approves implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has produced a suitable accessibility plan for the premises. The school meets the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Independent special school

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School details

School status Independent residential special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £32,500 to £70,000

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School details

Email address office@wildslodgeschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 17–19 January 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 19 5 to 19 5 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 85 120 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 85 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities 85 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 85 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 85 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 25 29

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision N/A N/A

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Information about this school

 Wilds Lodge School is a residential and day special school which makes provision for up to 105 boys aged between five and 19 years. The school is also registered to admit girls up to the age of 11 years.  The school is situated on two large rural sites with residential and teaching accommodation in very attractive buildings and grounds near Rutland Water. The second site has facilities for vocational courses, science, physical education and art. A third site in Stamford provides residential accommodation for students in the sixth form.  The school opened in January 2007 and there are currently 85 pupils on roll, of whom 65 are boarders.  All the pupils and students have an education, health and care plan to address their behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. One in 11 pupils are looked after by their local authority.  The school provides a therapeutic approach to meet the educational, social and

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Information about this school

emotional needs of the pupils. It aims to create a positive climate for learning with high standards of care and education.  The school uses Brooksby Melton College as an alternative provider for a small group of pupils.  The previous integrated inspection of the school and residential provision was in January 2017.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE commissioned this first material change inspection in response to the school’s request to admit girls up to the age of 19 years, and to increase the capacity of the school to admit up to 120 pupils and students.  The inspector visited all areas of the school’s premises and teaching accommodation across both sites, to assess the capacity of the school to admit girls across the full age range of the school, and to accommodate the proposed pupil numbers.  The inspector observed teaching and learning on both sites during a tour of the school premises. He held discussions with the headteacher, the head of education, the school’s educational psychologist and the designated safeguarding lead.  The inspector scrutinised relevant policies, procedures and records to check the school’s compliance with the relevant independent school standards.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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