Cambian Walnut Tree Lodge School

Cambian Walnut Tree Lodge School, 7 July 2026 1 Cambian Walnut Tree Lodge School Renhold Road, Wilden, Bedford MK44 2PT

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented.

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report:

This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), which is the registration authority for independent schools. The school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration. The school proposes to change the maximum number of pupils attending the school from 18 to 25.

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report:

The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out material change inspections of independent schools, we report on the school’s likely compliance with part 8 of the independent school standards first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the independent school standards (the standards) consistently. The standard in part 8 is intended to ensure that the quality of leadership and management at the school is sufficient for that purpose.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The school is part of a wider proprietor body, with a number of other schools. There is a robust central leadership team within the proprietor body. These professionals are highly knowledgeable and provide effective support to the school in all areas. This includes on safeguarding, inclusion and health and safety.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor ensures effective challenge, as well as support, to school leaders. Layers of governance and oversight ensure that the proprietor meets statutory duties. The proprietor has effective oversight of safeguarding. Cambian Walnut Tree Lodge School, 7 July 2026 2 There are clear systems and processes within the proprietor body for the oversight of the independent school standards. Regular audits and reports are in place to check constantly that the standards are met. The proprietor ensures that central team and school leaders are aware of the standards.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Pupils are at the heart of all decisions made. The school recognises the diverse social, emotional and mental health needs and experiences of pupils. The proprietor and school leaders are clear about their rationale for requesting an increase in pupil numbers. This is to serve an identified need in the local area. The proprietor has carefully considered the current site and identified a level of growth that will not negatively impact the existing cohort of pupils. They have ensured that adequate staffing and space are in place to meet this proposed change.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

These standards are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor prioritises safeguarding. Safeguarding leaders are well trained. They clearly understand the particular safeguarding risks facing their pupils. Staff are well trained to take effective and appropriate action when a safeguarding concern is raised. The school keeps records of all concerns well. They are detailed and show a chronology of concerns, including those that are lower level. Safeguarding leaders take appropriate and rapid action to keep pupils safe.

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Safeguarding

The school works effectively with a range of external agencies to provide pupils and their families with the help they need. Leaders are knowledgeable about the range of services in place to support pupils challenging life experiences. Pupils’ needs are central to all decisions made by leaders and the proprietor.

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Health and safety, fire and risk assessments

The proprietor has effective systems in place for the oversight of health and safety in the school. This includes ensuring that the school complies with fire safety regulations. At a local level, the headteacher is supported by a range of central team professionals to ensure that the school meets the relevant standards consistently. This is ensured by regular audits and checks that take place. This includes ongoing checks of alarm systems, fire doors, fire safety equipment, water and lighting.

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Health and safety, fire and risk assessments

Pupils are well supervised. The proposed staffing ratio is suitable for the proposed increase of pupils. This includes support staff where a pupil may have multiple Cambian Walnut Tree Lodge School, 7 July 2026 3 needs. The proprietor ensures that, through induction, all current and future staff have the necessary knowledge and expertise to support pupils’ needs precisely. This means that pupils’ needs are known, understood and well met. This is ensured further by the therapeutic support in place for pupils.

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Health and safety, fire and risk assessments

The health and safety and risk assessment policies are effective. They provide clarity for staff and leaders on the steps to take when making risks assessments and meeting health and safety requirements. Risk assessments are detailed and thorough. Pupils risk management plans are highly personalised. They identify the precise risks for individual pupils. The supportive measures in place suitably mitigate those risks.

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Health and safety, fire and risk assessments

These standards are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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The recruitment checks made on staff, supply staff and the proprietor

The proprietor ensures that pre-employment checks on staff are conducted to ensure that all adults working in the school are suitable. Robust checks are made on all staff, including those who have lived or worked abroad. This includes the required checks on those within management positions, including those within the proprietor body.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor regularly checks the single central record to verify that all necessary checks have been made and recorded accurately. The single central record is well organised and compliant.

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and showers

There are an adequate number of toilets and washing facilities in the building. This includes the provision of a shower and changing space for pupils to use following physical education. Toilets are individually locked.

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and showers

The water supply is regularly checked for flow and temperature. The proprietor has ensured that there is readily available drinking water for pupils to access when needed. Cambian Walnut Tree Lodge School, 7 July 2026 4

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The medical room complies with the school’s first-aid policy. Leaders regularly check that it is fully equipped and accessible. It contains a bed, a sink and is close to toilets.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The first-aid room is multi-purpose. It also serves as a therapeutic space for pupils to access where needed.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school site is well maintained. Regular checks by leaders and the proprietor ensure that the site is safe for pupils and staff. Pupils’ wellbeing and individual needs are central to all site design decisions. This includes a therapeutic first-aid space. It also includes well-resourced academic spaces.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The school is well lit by natural light in all rooms. Additionally, artificial light, including emergency indoor lighting, is well distributed through the school. To ensure the outdoor space is safe, the proprietor has put in place adequate external lighting.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The design of the provision means that individual rooms are calm and quiet.

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Outdoor space

The proprietor has thought about the outdoor space carefully. In front of and behind the school building is a well-maintained grass area. This provides suitable recreational space for pupils. The school also uses the field next to the school for physical education activities when more space is needed.

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Outdoor space

These standards are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has a suitably written accessibility plan in place. This is published on the school’s website.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. Inspectors checked the school’s likely compliance with the independent school Cambian Walnut Tree Lodge School, 7 July 2026 5 standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the headteacher, the divisional education lead and the chief executive officer and representative of the chair of the proprietor body during the inspection. The school is part of Cambian Childcare LTD, which is owned by CareTech. Cambian has 52 schools and colleges across England.

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About this inspection

The school operates from: Renhold Road, Wilden, Bedford MK44 2PT.

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About this inspection

Pupils who attend the school have social, emotional and mental health needs. Most pupils have an education, health and care plan.

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About this inspection

The school does not currently make use of any alternative provision.

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About this school

Proprietor Cambian Childcare Ltd Headteacher Mrs Joyce Kuwaza Type of school Other independent special school Capacity 18

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 7 to 19 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £59,993 to £91,343 Email address joyce.kuwaza@cambiangroup.com Cambian Walnut Tree Lodge School, 7 July 2026 6 providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people

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compulsory school age on roll

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compulsory school age on roll

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compulsory school age on roll

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