By Gavin Mackintosh-
An after school club at an ‘outstanding’ primary in Kingston was rated ‘inadequate’ after Ofsted inspectors found proper security measures were not in place.
Fit For Sport, which runs the club was commissioned by Fern Hill Primary School in 2015, and up until now had been praised for its quality and support for students. It was found to have “identified a risk with regard to security” but that this was not addressed.
According to the report drafted by inspectors: “There is the potential risk of children being able to leave the setting unattended or unknown persons being able to enter the outdoor areas when children are playing.”
Headteacher at Fern Hill, Adam Scott, said: “I have a strong partnership with Fit for Sport and we have worked closely together to ensure actions have already been implemented since the Ofsted inspection.”
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ENFORCE
Inspectors found that staff did not enforce the club’s camera and mobile phone policy- they should not be used by parents or carers at the camp- to ensure the safety of the children. The report found that staff were not monitored properly and were “not given opportunities to develop their skills to raise the quality of experiences offered to children”.
They were also “not supported” to attend training or have coaching to develop their skills and knowledge “to provide better-quality experiences for children”. On a positive note, inspectors found that the workers were “positive role models” and children had developed good relationships with staff.
The report stated: “They (staff) offer lots of praise and encouragement for children to support their confidence and self-esteem.”
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The club is known for enhancing the children’s knowledge of good health, and children were given nutritious snacks at break time and were taught about the importance of a healthy diet.
PROVISION
A Fit for Sport spokesman said: “Fit For Sport provide extended school provision within Fern Hill Primary School and were disappointed with the result awarded as we do not believe it was a true reflection of the services offered by that setting.
“The ‘risk’ identified by the inspector was in fact a gate that was left open to allow parents to collect their children from the afterschool clubs run both at the school and at Fit For Sport.
“The children themselves were secure in our main base room, however, we acknowledge the observation and we have put alternative arrangements in place with the school which include this door being locked at all times.
“All members of our staff adhere to the policy with all staff mobile phones locked away, and all adults with mobile phones challenged.
“We have retrained our staff to challenge not only adults, but also ask parents who enter with a child on their phones or an electronic devise to ensure, that they are put away until they leave the premises.”
He added a training team will be “addressing the feedback and offering onsite training”.
Headteacher at Fern Hill, Adam Scott, said: “I have a strong partnership with Fit for Sport and we have worked closely together to ensure actions have already been implemented since the Ofsted inspection.”
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