Lincolnshire primary school deemed inadequate in Ofsted …
A Lincolnshire[1] primary school[2] has been rated inadequate by Ofsted in a report which found its pupils are at risk of harm. Buckminster Primary School, near Grantham[3], was handed the lowest rating following a recent inspection into the school’s overall effectiveness.
The leadership and management at the school were rated inadequate while the quality of education and personal development required improvement. Early years provision and behaviour and attitudes were deemed to be good.
The school, which has 80 students aged two to 11, said they have taken “decisive action” to improve the strategic oversight and management of safeguarding. Within the report, it states that the leaders recognise they do not have the knowledge or capacity to ensure that safeguarding arrangements are effective.
Poll – What’s the worst road for potholes?[4]
Leaders at the school are also uncertain what to do if they think a pupil needs help or protection, which leaves vulnerable people at risk of harm. The report found that staff have had some safeguarding training, however, they do not have up-to-date knowledge of important issues such as harmful sexual behaviour and child-on-child abuse.
Buckminster Primary School was previously rated good after a short visit from Ofsted in 2018. However, the recent inspection found that leaders and governors have not established a culture of safeguarding vigilance and have not done enough to tackle weaknesses in the school’s quality of education.
A spokesperson for the school said: “Everyone at Buckminster Primary School is disappointed at the recent Ofsted inspection, but we would like to assure parents that this judgement about safeguarding relates to the practice and procedures in place. We want to be clear that children are not in any way, ‘not safe’ in school.
“We are pleased that inspectors recognised the positive elements of the school including the good behaviour, positive relationships, and family feel. Decisive action has already been taken to improve the strategic oversight and management of safeguarding at the school, including the formation of a three-person Interim Executive Board to help guide the school through the required improvements.
“All three members of this board have significant experience in managing schools and they, along with all of the staff at Buckminster, are committed to ensure all pupils receive the best education possible.”
References
- ^ Lincolnshire (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ school (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Grantham (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Poll – What’s the worst road for potholes? (xd.wayin.com)