SCHOOL bosses said they have made the 'difficult decision' to close this month after 21 years.

Wings School in Milnthorpe cited 'operational challenges' which were being addressed in close liaison with their regulator - the Department for Education.

The school and children's home, which was part of Kedleston Group, homed up to 60 young people who had social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

READ MORE: Inspectors praise 'happy and inviting' school in latest Ofsted report

A spokesperson for the school said: “After careful consideration, the difficult decision was taken by Kedleston to deregister the school and voluntarily cancel registration of the on-site children’s home.

“In conjunction with local authorities, the children have moved from the home and are now residing elsewhere. Their wellbeing remains our absolute priority and a responsibility we take very seriously.”

Ofsted, which inspected both the school and the children's home, recently shared their findings with the regulator and the school took the decision to voluntarily cancel their registration following their inspection.

The children's home was also recently inspected and a restriction preventing any additional children being accepted was placed. Wings has since decided to resign their registration of the children’s home.

The Ofsted report on the inspection has not been released.

Westmorland and Furness Council confirmed that local authorities that had placed children at Wings were instructed by Ofted to find alternative provisions for children attending an independent school within the council area, following an inspection carried out by the regulator.

"Local authorities have ensured children are now in alternative provision," said a council spokesperson.

The Department for Education said it had 'acted quickly' to remove all pupils from the school and ensure alternative placement was provided for all children by working closely with Ofsted and the local authorities.

Where there is reason to believe that a school may not be meeting the standards, and it is appropriate and proportionate, the Department for Education can commission additional inspections or ask for inspectorates to consider the evidence as part of the next scheduled inspection.

If an inspection finds that a school is not meeting any standards, it is required to provide an action plan to address the failing.

Where schools do not improve, they can be subject to enforcement action including restrictions on the admission of new pupils and ultimately, deregistration.

The school said recent Ofsted reports graded the school’s education provision as Good with outstanding features. 

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: “We want all children to have the best possible start in life.

“Independent schools are expected to meet the Independent School Standards and we will always act quickly to take action against those that are putting children and their education at risk.”