School rated ‘inadequate’ for poor safeguarding

LEVELS ALSO RAISED CONCERNS

OFSTED inspectors have handed a previously ‘ good’ primary school an ‘inadequate’ rating because of poor leadership and ineffective safeguarding policies and procedures.

Inspectors who visited Kirkroyds Infant School at New Mill found ineffective management, inadequate early years provision and high absence rates.

Overall the school was judged to be inadequate as inspectors found:

Safeguarding is ineffective as leaders are not able to demonstrate that they always respond swiftly to safeguarding concerns. Records of serious incidents are incomplete;

Leaders’ plans for improvement lack precision. Leaders have low expectations and targets they set for pupils ‘lack ambition’;

In the early years, expectation of what the most able children can achieve, is too low;

The quality of teaching is variable. Leaders do not check on pupils’ progress rigorously enough ;

Persistent absence is high. A considerable proportion of disadvantaged pupils do not attend school regularly enough.

Ofsted inspectors found that outcomes in reading and maths were improving and that relationships between pupils and adults are strong.

The Ofsted report said: “Despite the shortcomings in safeguarding, pupils say the school is a happy, caring place. The support for pupils’ personal development is otherwise a strength.”

On the subject of attendance, Ofsted said: “Pupils’ attendance rates are below average. School leaders have not been successful in addressing low attendance, especially that of disadvantaged pupils.

“Too many pupils are regularly absent from school and this hampers their learning.”

Headteacher Christine Wood and chairman of governors Dawn Whiteley have told parents that concerns about safeguarding processes have been addressed.

In a letter they said: “Whenever an inspection highlights safeguarding concerns, there is an automatic ‘Inadequate’ judgement.

“We feel that this judgement does not reflect the importance we place on safeguarding and on ensuring that the children at Kirkroyds are, and feel, safe. The report does highlight strengths within the school, but clearly the safeguarding element has led to a very disappointing overall judgement.”

The school says it has improved child protection systems and all staff and governors have updated their training.

The Department for Education has now started proceedings which will see Kirkroyds joining an academy to support school improvement.

Safeguarding is ineffective as leaders are not able to demonstrate that they respond quickly

to concerns