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."