UNDER fire Philip Morant - which is also part of the failed Thrive Trust - has been labelled inadequate.

In a snap check, Ofsted inspectors recorded significant concerns from parents and pupils.

A report published last night said some elements of the school are “highly disorganised”.

Inspectors said: “The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare is inadequate.

“This is because the ineffective arrangements to safeguard pupils put them at risk.

“Staff responsible for safeguarding showed themselves to be highly disorganised when safeguarding systems were analysed by inspectors.

“They have received almost 1,500 cause-for-concern internal referrals from teachers since September 2017.

READ MORE

“Inspectors found some of these concerns had not been managed appropriately by staff responsible for safeguarding.”

The report added: “Pupils, including those who are vulnerable, told inspectors that they do not feel safe.

“They told inspectors they are too worried to report incidents of bullying.

"They also told inspectors they do not report things to their house managers because they are ‘too busy’.

“One pupil thanked inspectors for being given the opportunity to express her concerns, saying: ‘I’ve had enough here.’

Parents also raised significant concerns, about the school, with the report added: "A significant proportion of parents who responded to Ofsted’s online questionnaire, Parent View, were critical of the school.

"An unusually large proportion of parents also took the opportunity to elaborate on their views through the free-text facility.

"One parent wrote: ‘In my opinion, the school has let down my children.’

"Parents are particularly critical of the school’s homework policy and also of the poor communication between the school and home."

The report does, however, state bullying is not a major issue at the school. 

More positively, inspectors said two new acting headteachers have "quickly identified key areas for improvement".

The report adds: "They have gained the confidence and support of a strong team of middle leaders and an enlarged and highly skilled team of trustees." 

'We have acted quickly'

Neil Jones, Chair of Trustees at Thrive Partnership Academy Trust said: "The Thrive Trust Board takes very seriously the comments made by Ofsted in the recently published Inspection Report into the Philip Morant School and College, which has deemed the School and College as inadequate.

"Following the suspensions of the Chief Executive and Executive Principal in March, the Trust Board acted quickly with the help of the Regional Schools Commissioner’s Office to bring in extra leadership support in the form of an experienced Head from an outstanding school.

"The Trust Board was strengthened with the appointment of four new highly experienced Trustees.

"Whilst parents and students will be worried about the outcomes of the report, the Inspectors’ report recognises that the interim leadership have already begun making changes on many of the issues identified and have been making positive improvements.

"Since the inspection in mid-May we have continued to address the safeguarding, and other issues raised, with the support of Interim Executive Head Teacher Gillian Marshall of the Alpha Trust.

"The process of seeking a trust to take over the running of the school on a permanent basis is currently being led by the Regional Schools Commissioner’s office. We are very confident that the future is looking bright for the Philip Morant School and College."