By Gavin Mackintosh-
Ofsted failed to promptly inspect a special school where severely disabled children were left to go hungry, a safeguarding investigation has revealed.
The Academy caters for pupils between the ages of three and 18 years old with severe or profound learning difficulties. Some of the pupils suffer from physical disabilities. The school was set up to meet the needs of children who have severe or profound learning difficulties.
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Among the school’s commitments were additional difficulties that may include physical disabilities, complex medical needs, life limiting conditions, speech and language difficulties, sensory impairments, and under-developed social skills.
The Academy in Nottinghamshire was immediately closed after a damning Ofsted inspection last year found pupils, many who were non-verbal, “at imminent risk of harm”.
Nottinghamshire council at the time launched two independent investigations, one to review whether national policies around academy whistleblowing is an “obstacle to timely action”.
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Previously called Fountaindale School, it became an academy under Evolve in April 2021 after falling from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’ the previous year.
The findings of its review covering the period of March 2017 to January 2022 drew on work completed, such that overall learning could be identified for the future, after the author met with parents and carers, and reviewed Evolve Trust governance documents.
It was brought to the attention of The Eye Of Media. Com early this afternoon.
The damning review also found the academy commissioning process to appoint the Evolve Trust to run the school was heavily flawed.
An initial review earlier in the year revealed that the trust broke academy rules by buying booze for a staff awards party a month before the Ofsted visit
The review also discovered that the children’s care needs were not being met and they were therefore not able to learn. The classrooms were unsafe, and the trustees were not fulfilling their duties, not just at an operational level, but at a strategic trustee level.
It also found that the quality of the relationships within the school had contributed to the break down and removal of health staff who had been based at the school historically.
Ofsted also failed to inspect the special school for three months, despite being aware of the problems, raising questions about the inspectorate’s proactive approach to safeguarding vulnerable students.
The delayed response from Ofsted in addressing these concerns further worsened the vulnerability of the students involved.
Despite the Evolve Trust sitting on reserves of £6 million, the school was understaffed, raising question on what the huge reserves were being spent on.
The review also criticised the response of other authorities who were “waiting” for the inspectorate to act, meaning multiple opportunities to intervene were missed. The review found the academy commissioning process to appoint the Evolve Trust to run the school was “flawed”.
An investigation by SCHOOLS WEEK found that parents first blew the whistle about safety concerns in 2021.
Systemic failings in the school’s responses to persistent problems in the school were as shocking as the delay of Ofsted in pursuing immediate inspections and seeking to address the multiple problems facing the school.
When Ofsted eventually inspected the failed school, it found that pupils were not being kept safe and were at risk of immediate and imminent harm. The inspection identified that.
It also found that the children’s care needs were not being met and they were therefore not able to learn, given unsafe classrooms, and the fact trustees were not fulfilling their duties, not just at an operational level, but at a strategic
trustee level. The quality of the relationships within the school had contributed to the break down and removal of health staff who had been based at the school historically.
Ineffective
Ofsted has long been accused of inefficacy in promptly addressing issues in schools on many occasions.
A school environment that allows inappropriate restraint is not only detrimental to the physical and emotional well-being of students but also indicates a lack of proper training and supervision of staff.
The delayed response from Ofsted in addressing these concerns may have further exacerbated the vulnerability of the students involved.
The education inspectorate’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of students, and any hesitation or inaction on their part can have severe consequences for the students’ welfare.
Flawed Commissioning Process
The flawed academy’s commissioning process reflects a lack of proper oversight by Ofsted in ensuring that the right trusts are chosen to manage schools. The inspectorate must take greater responsibility in scrutinizing the selection process to prevent unsuitable organizations from running educational institutions.
The slow response by the education inspectorate to disturbing practices at Harlow Academy indicates a lack of urgency on Ofsted’s part in addressing safeguarding concerns. This sluggishness can prolong the exposure of vulnerable students to potentially harmful situations.
Enhancing Safeguarding Protocols
Ofsted needs to establish and enforce enhanced safeguarding protocols to ensure that schools with vulnerable populations receive regular inspections. Implementing a more rigorous inspection schedule can help identify issues promptly and mitigate potential risks to students’ well-being.
The education inspectorate needs must strengthen its commissioning procedures, requiring a comprehensive evaluation of the trust’s capacity and commitment to student welfare. This includes a thorough assessment of past performance and financial stability to ensure the trust is equipped to handle the responsibility of managing a school.
Ofsted boss, Amanda Spielman was once a celebrated boss of Ofsted, but has her work cut out to significantly improve the efficiency of the inspectorate.
Slow responses to complaints, and none existent responses to a number of media inquiries has become one of the short comings of the education watchdog in recent years.
Ofsted boss: Amanda Spielman Image:PA
Robust
Ofsted is expected to have a robust and efficient mechanism for responding to safeguarding concerns raised about any educational institution. This includes mandatory timelines for addressing reported issues and providing necessary support and guidance to schools to rectify the problems.
The inspectorate should emphasize the importance of continuous professional development for school staff, particularly in areas of restraint techniques and safeguarding. Ensuring that staff are adequately trained will promote a safe and nurturing environment for all students.
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