Pupils 'don't feel safe' at school rated inadequate (original) (raw)

Pupils told Ofsted inspectors that they didn’t feel safe and they refused to use the toilets at a school rated inadequate.

Some year seven, eight and nine students said the poor state of the toilets, lack of privacy and vandalism meant they chose not to use them during the school day.

Inspectors also found that vulnerable pupils were not safeguarded by staff, including governors, and that students felt bullying was “not well dealt with” at Countesthorpe Leysland Community College.

Other criticisms included a “significant minority” of pupils disrupting learning for others and attendance being below the national average.

Countesthorpe Leysland Community College (Image: Peter Fothergill)

Pupils were also found to be late for school in the morning and from one lesson to the next. The split-site nature of the school and attitude of some pupils were said to be contributing factors.

The college was inspected in July and the report has just been published. It was the first inspection since Countesthorpe College and Leysland High merged in 2016. Both schools were previously rated outstanding.

There are four ratings, outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate.

The Winchester Road school was given an overall rating of inadequate.

The report was sent home to parents with a letter signed by the principal Mrs Catherine Aitcheson and chair of governors Mrs Suzanne Uprichard, which said: “We are obviously disappointed with the final conclusions of the inspection.

“We do, however, accept its findings. We take the conclusions within the report extremely seriously.

“Each day our staff strive to provide the very best learning, environment and atmosphere for all our students.

“The inspection report has set out a number of challenges for us to address. We are implementing robust plans to mitigate the areas of concern within the inspectors report quickly and effectively.”

They added that the inspection took place at the start of July when some year groups were undertaking work experience or on exam leave.

The letter says: “Only 56 per cent of the college was occupied by its student population.

“This, of course means inspectors were not able to observe and talk to students from these years and unable to obtain a full view of the college and as a consequence, some of the findings within the report were based on that.”

It was also confirmed that a full refurbishment of the toilets is due to commence "imminently".

Provision for 16 to 19 year olds was praised by inspectors and rated good. Inspectors said: "The culture of the sixth form is very positive, in distinct contrast to the main school."

Overall rating: Inadequate

Effectiveness of leadership and management: Inadequate

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment: Requires improvement

Personal development, behaviour and welfare: Inadequate

Outcomes for pupils: Requires improvement

16 to 19 study programmes: Good

But other extracts from the report said that the views of “many” pupils in key stage three (11-14) towards their lessons were “negative”.

And some of the students who spoke with inspectors told them that lessons were “repetitive and boring”.

Ofsted staff said they witnessed frequent low-level disruptions and sometimes disrespectful behaviour in lessons, that there was a lack of strategic oversight for pupils with special educational needs, not all pupils wore the school’s uniform correctly or with a sense of pride and pupils’ workbooks did not reflect a sense of pride in their work in key stage three.

Inspectors also said: “Teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve are not always high enough, particularly for boys, disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND.”

Comments were also made about pupils’ behaviour.

“The behaviour of pupils is inadequate. Staff do not consistently apply the school’s new behaviour policy, nor do all pupils follow it,” the report said.

It went on: “Inspectors noted many examples, in lessons and around the school, where poor behaviour occurred.

“When this was challenged by staff in lessons, it was too great a distraction from learning.

“Pupils expressed their frustration about this to inspectors as they feel their learning is adversely affected by the behaviour of a significant minority.”

The report added: “Sometimes, there is a wilful disregard of teachers’ instructions by some pupils.”

Inspectors did acknowledge that the new leadership - Mrs Aitcheson was appointed principal in February this year - has “persevered through very challenging recent circumstances” and said that changes in the local area have required “significant” staffing restructure.

They said of Mrs Aitcheson: “She conveys a strong passion and determination to build a culture of aspiration and success at the school, she is committed to rapidly improving standards.”

Mrs Aitcheson and Mrs Uprichard said: “We will continue to put in place the existing progressive and ambitious plans to improve the infrastructure and learning environment for our current and future students."