School slammed by Ofsted report
A SCHOOL where some pupils claim they are bullied by staff, and where youngsters dodge dangerously parked cars to get to lessons, has been slated by Ofsted for failing to ensure children's safety.
St Wulstan's Catholic Primary, in Wolstanton, is thought to be one of the first schools nationwide to go into 'special measures' on the back of tough new standards for safeguarding pupils.
The Ofsted report reveals teachers often shout at youngsters to control their behaviour, children lack confidence in how staff deal with their problems, and the school is failing to comply with some statutory requirements.
And although inspectors found most teaching was satisfactory or better, they've rated it as inadequate overall, because not enough is done to tailor lessons to individual pupils' needs. Managers are also not rigorously monitoring standards.
Despite this, children at the 426-pupil school are making satisfactory progress and have positive attitudes.
Today, headteacher Nathan Price said he wasn't aware of any specific allegations of staff victimising youngsters and he urged parents to report concerns to him.
He said: "I've had parents say 'so and so' has shouted at my son and we've investigated that, but certainly not to the level that people are saying children are being bullied.
"If parents come and see me with concerns, we will get the full facts."
The school is now keeping records of every issue raised by parents and pupils. Staff will also be trained in behaviour management techniques and Staffordshire County Council is providing advisory support. Mr Price stressed the school was "determined to improve".
He said inspectors hadn't divulged details from the parents' questionnaire or their interviews with pupils, although the comments about unfair treatment were understood to relate to two members of staff. Most parents gave positive responses.
The Ofsted report also says several staff have also "lost confidence" in the school because of "unresolved issues".
It says: "Some staff speak harshly to pupils, which has a negative effect on relationships and, notably, on learning.
"Pupils say they have reported to staff incidents of what they perceive to be staff bullying, and occasions when they had been treated unfairly, but inspectors could find no record of the events, or of any action taken."
Inspectors also called for immediate action to improve safety on a congested car park outside school, where there have been several minor incidents.
Senior staff now supervise it at the start and end of the school day and there are plans to improve pedestrian access.
But many problems are outside the school's control, because the car park is owned by the parish. It is also used by churchgoers, people visiting a pub and community centre, and families from a neighbouring school.
Jenny Davies, aged 61, from Porthill, has a granddaughter at St Wulstan's and blames "irresponsible parents" for parking dangerously.
But she said: "I've no problem with standards in school. I was very shocked at the report."
Mark Cartlidge, from Porthill, has three children, aged three, five and eight, at the school.
The 44-year-old said: "The car park's an accident waiting to happen. But I've no problem with the school; my kids never say anything bad about the teachers."
Other parents also threw their support behind St Wulstan's today.
Iolanda Bailey, from Oakhill, who has two children there, claims inspectors have placed undue emphasis on some issues.
She added: "It's not all the school's fault. I think this is a great school."
16 Comments
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by School supporter - idiot ignorer!, Crewe
Thursday, December 03 2009, 8:48PM
“To Me, Somewhere in Staffordshire - I don't believe that you are a teacher or that you even work in a school. I'm sure you have just written your ridiculous comments to try to provoke a reaction and to stir up even more anti-education/teachers comments. Please use your internet to search for a proper hobby or maybe even a life!!”
by LE, Stoke
Friday, November 27 2009, 6:13PM
“I too have seen this parent governor blocking the way twice this week alone because she is blocking the way at the end of the row and then she cannot reverse back properly because of the all the children by the school gate.”
by H, Porthill
Friday, November 27 2009, 3:04PM
“I went to look around St Wulstan's school recently, and have applied for a place for my daughter. I saw smiling children speaking politely to adults with whom they clearly had a friendly and warm relationship. The atmosphere was really pleasant and positive.
It is always the case with Ofsted request for parental feedback that people with an axe to grind make the replies. I wonder what the behaviour of those shouted at is like, and if the peole writing hysterical knee-jerk reactions on here would want their own child's education continually disrupted because teachers are unable to chastise pupils.
It is ridiculous to paint such a negative picture of a school because of the car parking arrangements and the fact that parents park and drive selfishly.
I am sure that the school would be happy to arrange a tour during the working day, as they were when I contacted them. It is my local Catholic School, and I will continue to support it.”
by Anon, Staffs
Friday, November 27 2009, 2:53PM
“I have a son at the school and am extremely happy at how he is progressing. Hisreception teacher is excellent. The car park issue is no fault of the school, it is the irresponsible parents. The school held a meeting last week regarding this report and the car park issue came up. One female parent governer talked about how we all need to be responsible and safe on the car park but lo and behold i have seen her causing many a problem on the car park, parking on the end of the spaces where she is not supposed to park and thus blocking the entrance and exit to the spaces whilst she drops her children off. Perhaps these parents need to take some responsibilty!!”
by st. wulstans parent, newcastle
Friday, November 27 2009, 9:41AM
“yes, there have been significant changes this summer by ofsted on the safeguarding of children following recent tragic events nationally. this is why the car park is an issue. the car park has been congested for years, and i have been a parent at the school for 11 years. it has always been the same. it is terrible that the school has been'slated' by ofsted over this. st. wulstans has always been, and still is a very good school and i will support it and the excellent staff for many years to come. i will be pleased to send my 1 year old to the school when she is old enough to attend.”
by R, Staffordshire
Friday, November 27 2009, 12:03AM
“In 2007 this school was graded at grade 2. This is a high standard. I cannot believe that in 2 years it has gone down to the level of being put under special measures. Has there been some significant change in the standards Ofsted require?”
by ANON, Newcastle
Thursday, November 26 2009, 6:32PM
“I have two children at St Wulstans who are very happy and I have friends who have children at the school and they are very happy too. If a parent has an issue then they should bring it up with the head teacher and I am certain Mr Price would take the appropriate action.
The author of this report has exaggerated lightly by stating that ¿children have to dodge parked cars to get to lesson¿. This is not true the only cars they dodge are before and after school and they are irresponsible parents cars who have parked as close to the school as possible when they can clearly see the dangers.
As for the Ofsted report, we should wait until it has been published. I am certain that if any school locally had an inspection with no notice then they would struggle to get a good report. We are given notice of inspections at schools and this gives us time to get everything into place, which often gives a false impression of the school. St Wulstans were caught out and I am sure that other schools locally are now putting into place what St Wulstans failed on.”
by anon, stoke on trent
Thursday, November 26 2009, 5:43PM
“Having completed my fourth year teaching placement at St Wulstans, I find it hard to believe the article that has been printed. I have nothing but good words to say about the staff and the school. I had a fantastic experience working within the foundation stage, and found the staff to be both friendly and helpful. The relationships the staff had with the children were brilliant, and I find it so hard to believe the comments that have been made. I am truly shocked at the accusations being made.”
by anon, newcastle
Thursday, November 26 2009, 5:24PM
“I find the allegations of staff bullying pupils unbelievable. I have an older child who was educated at st wulstans & a child there now. It is a happy, friendly school. If some parents have concerns over their children being bullied by staff why have they waited until the ofsted inspection to bring it up? If i thought my child was being bullied I would not let the matter rest - if nothing was done then I would remove my child from that school and take my complaint further- I wouldn't allow my child to be so unhappy then moan about it when the inspectors come in! Thats why I find the allegations a little strange. Surely as a parent you would keep complaining - or perhaps the questionnaire is just an excuse to have a dig at someone that stood up to their 'little angel' when they were rude or just plain naughty as ALL children are at times. As for the car park, well surely the school can't be responsible for how the parents use it. Adults know about the dangers of the car park and should drive/park responsibly .Even after the report parents continue to park where they know shouldn't. If there aren't any parking spaces left surely the sensible thing to do would be to park further away and WALK!
St wulstans will recover from this as it is a good school despite what the inspectors said.”
by angela, kidsgrove
Thursday, November 26 2009, 5:07PM
“me....somewhere in staffordshire....
it's scum like you that give good teachers a bad name....
if thats your attitude towards children then why in god's name are you a teacher?????
how would you like it if someone caned you???? or smacked you around the ear????
It fills me with horror that people like you are allowed near children, let alone thought capeable of teaching them.
Why dont you leave teaching to those who do care about children and get a job elsewhere......anywhere just not near children whom you appear to detest.”