A school whose headteacher was arrested in front of parents and pupils has been rated inadequate after an emergency Ofsted inspection.
Howard Junior School in King's Lynn has “serious failings” which have been “unchallenged for too long”, officials warned.
It follows a visit by inspectors in March just days after the school’s head, Gregory Hill, was arrested on suspicion of stalking.
The high-profile head has since been released on bail until May while investigations continue but has been suspended from his post which he has held for 16 years.
Following his arrest, during which he claims to have been bundled to the ground and handcuffed in front of parents and children on the school run, education watchdog Ofsted said it was sending in officials to carry out an emergency inspection.
The subsequent inspection report has highlighted a number of serious issues including rating leadership and management at the school as inadequate.
It says school trustees also lack the skills, knowledge and experience to “undertake their duties effectively”.
And despite being meant to check that children are safe they “do not always do so”, it adds.
The Ofsted team said improvements were also required to the quality of education children were receiving.
“Pupils throughout the school do not achieve as well as they should because leaders have prioritised the appearance of the building at the expense of the curriculum,” they state.
Headteacher gave school high profile
In his time at the school, Mr Hill has given it a high profile including special events ranging from decorating a corridor as Doctor Who’s Tardis to dressing pupils as First World War soldiers to honour Remembrance Day.
He renamed it Harry Kane Junior School after the England captain during the recent World Cup in Qatar.
The school also made headlines around the world after Mr Hill and pupils spoke to the Prince and Princess of Wales, when they visited Sandringham last September to see flowers and tributes which had been left at the gates after the death of the Queen.
The school, which is run by the Apollo Academies Trust, had previously been rated good following its previous Ofsted inspection.
The only area to achieve this rating following the latest inspection was pupil behaviour and attitudes.
School to hold meeting for parents
Parents have now been invited to a meeting with the school leadership team and trust board to discuss concerns on May 4.
In a letter sent to all parents, along with a copy of the Ofsted report, chair of the trust Helen Wardale states: “We want to reassure you that we have taken immediate action to address the safeguarding concerns highlighted in the report, including carrying out a full safeguarding audit, in partnership with the county council and we are confident that staff and trustees know the correct policies and procedures to follow.”
She said the board of trustees had been strengthened and alterations had been made including a scheme targeting reading after inspectors highlighted that teachers had not been properly trained to provide phonics.
The trust had also sought support from education advisors over the school’s curriculum, she added.
The Ofsted inspectors met with senior leaders and four members of the trust board during their two-day visit on March 13 and 14.
Lead inspector Daniel Lambert also met with an officer from Norfolk County Council while parents and staff were also questioned.
Their report did praise the school curriculum and targets but said teachers had often been left to plan “how pupils will reach these goals”.
Staff also “lack the training and knowledge” to enact plans for pupils with special education needs, they added.
‘I am confident that we can build so children get the very best education’
Helen Wardale was asked by trustees of the school to join as their chair for the new school term, following the recent Ofsted inspection.
“As the county council’s lead for governance, I have many years of experience in supporting schools to improve and I have already started to act on Ofsted’s findings, alongside the acting headteachers,” she said.
“We have carried out a safeguarding audit, in partnership with the county council, and I am confident that teachers and trustees now know the correct safeguarding policies and procedures.
“We are also implementing a scheme targeting the specific areas of reading and PSHE and we are strengthening the curriculum.”
She added: “From the short time I have been here, it is clear to see that there is a dedicated teaching team and acting leaders, who are determined to do their best for the children.
“Children feel safe and supported in school and their behaviour and attitude to learning is really positive. I am confident that we can build on these strengths so that children at Howard Junior are getting the very best education.”
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