Brook Lodge organisational context Organisational context Brook Lodge is situated on the outskirts of a large northern town in an area popular with young professionals and blue-collar workers. The birth rate in the immediate area is static, although it is increasing in surrounding wards and aspirational families are increasingly willing to travel to access high-performing provision. There are three neighbouring schools and providers whose catchment areas overlap with Brook Lodge; two of these were graded outstanding in their most recent Ofsted inspections. Brook Lodge has expanded significantly over recent years and now operates across primary, secondary and sixthform provision, alongside specialist inclusion and partnership support services. The organisation has developed a strong local reputation for inclusive practice and relational support, particularly for pupils requiring additional pastoral, behavioural or SEND provision. Whilst this approach is viewed positively by families and the local authority, it has also created increasing operational, staffing and financial complexity.
Current organisational profile Provision
Approximate numbers
Primary provision (EYFS–Year 6):
420 pupils
Secondary provision (Years 7–11):
610 students
Sixth-form provision:
95 students
Specialist inclusion provision:
Capacity for 32 pupils
Total organisational NOR:
Approximately 1,157
Buildings and site Brook Lodge operates across a large multi-phase site centred around a solidly built red brick main building constructed in the mid-1930s. The governance board recently commissioned a full site survey from an external firm of building surveyors. Whilst the report confirmed that the building remains structurally sound overall, a number of concerns were highlighted. The surveyors identified that the decision to discontinue the annual planned repainting programme five years ago is now beginning to create operational and maintenance risks. Paintwork is deteriorating in several areas and there is an increasing risk that window frames may begin to rot unless remedial action is taken. Senior leaders have also raised concerns regarding the suitability of parts of the current site for expanding specialist and inclusion provision. The surveyors recommended that £5,000 is allocated this summer for immediate repainting works, alongside the introduction of an ongoing rolling maintenance programme costing approximately £3,000 annually.