Wessex Lodge School

Wessex Lodge School Wessex Lodge, Nunney Road, Frome, Somerset BA11 4LA

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 12  The procedures to ensure that pupils are as safe as possible from the risk of fire are effective. Checks on fire bells, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and fire doors are completed consistently and rigorously at both school sites, using a specially designed fire log book created by the school.  Fire wardens have regular training and take their responsibilities very seriously. For example, wardens check the fire alarm and emergency lighting every day.  Thorough staff induction includes information about fire risks and evacuation procedures. An annual quiz helps to remind staff of key principles about fire risk and procedures. As a result, staff are clear about how to minimise the risks of fire and how to respond in the event of a fire.  Pupils regularly practise evacuating the building in response to the fire bell. There are fire drills at least three times each year and these events are recorded to show how

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Main inspection findings

quickly the evacuation took place. Risk assessments make clear to staff those pupils who may need additional help in these circumstances.  A ban on smoking at both sites is robustly followed. This helps to keep staff and pupils safe from additional fire risk as well as contributing to pupils’ healthy lifestyles.  Leaders commission an annual external fire safety audit for both sites. Recommendations are scrupulously followed up to ensure that risks are minimised. For example, additional smoke detectors were added at the Wessex Lodge site and a new fire alarm system was installed in the summer term at the farm site.  The school’s safeguarding policy was updated in September 2018. It has regard to the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2018), and is available to parents and carers on request. The updated version of the policy was not on the website at the time of the inspection, but this

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Main inspection findings

was corrected during the inspection.  The proprietor has ensured that the arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children are effective.  Safeguarding procedures are implemented effectively, creating a safe culture in the school. Leaders are rigorous in ensuring that staff have detailed induction and provide regular updates regarding safeguarding. Leaders liaise with parents, carers and other stakeholders to share information, and provide support to ensure that pupils are safe.  The standard for welfare, health and safety of pupils is met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The proprietor ensures that the buildings and outside spaces at both sites are maintained well. Both sites are warm, clean and well looked after. There is suitable lighting and sound insulation.  Risk assessments cover appropriate areas, and leaders check that these are applied and reviewed to ensure that risks to pupils are minimised.  Leaders have developed a detailed and comprehensive health and safety audit that is revisited every six weeks. The audit records the checks made on health and safety documents, risk assessments, use of social media, fire safety, stairways and final fire safety exits, electrical equipment, workplace safety, storage and use of hazardous substances, first aid and kitchen safety.  Following each audit, leaders draw up an action plan of actions to be completed before the next audit takes place. This system ensures that the premises are

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Main inspection findings

maintained to a high standard. This work also ensures that health and safety procedures are taken seriously by staff and that they remain vigilant about the health, safety and welfare of pupils.  The standard for premises and accommodation for pupils is met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 2

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £49,400–£83,200

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School details

Email address neilg@enhancedchildrensservices.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 13–15 March 2018

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Information about this school

 The school was established in 2001 as an independent day school. It offers specialist provision for boys and girls who have social, emotional and behavioural needs.  The school operates from two sites. One site is in Frome itself and the other, Triskele Farm, is just outside Frome in a rural location. Pupils have a timetable that can include learning at either or both sites, depending on their learning needs and interests. The farm caters for a wide range of vocational training such as animal care, horticulture, catering and land management.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school is part of Enhanced Learning Services. The director of learning oversees the quality of education at the two sites.  A recent application to the Department for Education (DfE) to change the name of the school from Wessex College to Wessex Lodge was agreed.  Pupils are referred and placed by a local authority and attend for varying amounts of

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Information about this school

time, depending on the agreement with the local authority.  The school has admitted pupils above and below the registered age range, having received appropriate permission for a temporary change from the DfE.  A full standard inspection took place in March 2018, when the school was judged to be good.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was commissioned by the DfE following a request for information regarding fire safety. This school was selected for inspection from a sample of schools which did not respond to this request from the DfE.  The inspection was carried out with no notice.  The inspection focused on the procedures for ensuring that the school complies with fire safety regulations and that the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured. Procedures for safeguarding pupils were also scrutinised.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the designated lead for safeguarding, a director from Enhanced Learning Services who is responsible for health and safety, a health and safety manager and members of staff and pupils.  The inspector analysed a range of documentation provided by the school and completed a health and safety walk on both sites to check compliance with the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Tonwen Empson, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector guidance 'Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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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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