Wilds Lodge School

Progress monitoring inspection residential special school report

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

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Context of the inspection

The school had a full inspection in September 2025. The school was judged to be good with a breach of a NMS relating to safeguarding systems being in place to ensure that children remain safeguarded.

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Context of the inspection

Following the inspection, leaders and managers developed an action plan that outlined the steps that they would be taking to improve practice and ensure they complied with the NMS.

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Context of the inspection

The purpose of this inspection was to determine if the leaders and managers have been responsive to their own action plan and taken the necessary steps to ensure children are safeguarded at all times.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Inspection Report Wilds Lodge School, 26/03/2026 Page 2 of 6 Leaders and managers have been proactive in their response to the breach of the NMS and have made good progress in achieving their action plan. The building involved in the fire has not been in use since the fire and children have not been able to access it. Repairs are due to begin, and a secure boundary fence will be in place to ensure that the site remains safe at all times.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

This was a significant incident for the school. The leaders and managers acknowledged the impact on the children and their priority was to offer assurance to them that they were safe. The Headteacher dedicated time to the children and answered their initial questions to put their minds at ease while planning a more formalised timetable of information sharing and training for all children and staff.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Leaders and managers produced a bespoke timetable of training for the children. Training content was matched to the children’s developmental needs and understanding. Planned training was co-ordinated on- and off-site, to provide a variety of learning experiences. Learning linked to health and safety and risks of fire, continues to be woven into the curriculum and into discussions on residential. This ensures that the topic remains a priority area of action but shared over time, so not to overwhelm the children.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Staff have been provided with additional training relating to health and safety matters. Some training has focused specifically on fire-related training and complements the mandatory training already in place. Staff are of the view that the training has strengthened their knowledge, and they have become more vigilant in their role. In addition, staff have also received training regarding the reporting of concerns and what action they need to take should they have a worry.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Leaders and managers are assured that the children have taken onboard how incidents relating to fire can quickly escalate and what action they need to take if they have any worries. There have been 2 incidents in school whereby children have informed staff of their concerns. Staff were quick to respond to the information shared. This ensured that all children remain safe and highlighted that it is everyone’s responsibility in keeping all children and staff safe.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The children and staff have been involved in several fire evacuations at different times of the day and on a planned and unplanned basis. The children and staff have responded well when these evacuations have happened and there have not been any concerns raised.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The handover process has been strengthened to ensure that key information is always shared between education and residential staff. The handovers capture essential information but in addition, staff know it is their responsibility to raise any health and safety or safeguarding issues verbally.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

To ensure the school remains a safe environment for all, the maintenance team has added extra tasks to their role. They undertake specific weekly checks and ensure that all health and safety matters are reported and responded to. These are shared with the Headteacher, so he has oversight of all the ongoing issues and actions taken to address them. Inspection Report Wilds Lodge School, 26/03/2026 Page 3 of 6

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The school has made good progress and now meets all the national minimum

standards for residential special schools. Inspection Report Wilds Lodge School, 26/03/2026 Page 4 of 6

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Information about this school

Wilds Lodge School is an independent residential and day school for boys aged between seven and 18 years with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. At the time of the inspection, it was providing boarding for 31 children.

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Information about this school

The accommodation is situated across three sites. Two sites are situated a few miles from the main school site. The boarding accommodation is divided into 5 areas, according to the pupils’ age and vulnerability. Only 4 areas were occupied by children at the time of the inspection. Inspection Report Wilds Lodge School, 26/03/2026 Page 5 of 6

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School details

Unique reference number 134938 Social care unique reference number SC069231 DfE registration number 857/6005

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School details

This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools.

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School details

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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School details

Type of school Residential Special School Number of boarders on roll 31 Gender of boarders Boys Age range of boarders 5 to 18 Headteacher Toby Oakley Date of previous boarding inspection 09/09/2025 Telephone number 01780767254 Email address office@wildslodgeschool.co.uk Inspection Report Wilds Lodge School, 26/03/2026 Page 6 of 6 guidance 'raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.co.uk/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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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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