A top south Shropshire private school has been blasted by Ofsted for being “inadequate” when it comes to looking after boarding pupils – by not vetting would-be staff properly and not following fire safety rules.
Moor Park School, Richards Castle, Ludlow, was visited by Ofsted on July 9, 2008.
This inspection was not judging the quality of education but the way Moor Park looks after its boarders. There were positive points – Ofsted felt the school was good at helping children make a positive contribution and achieve well. But overall the Government education inspectors were not happy with what they found, reporting, “the overall outcome for this inspection was inadequate.”
The inspectors found the school to be inadequate in the following areas: protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe, achieving economic well being and organisation.
Two main areas for concern were highlighted by Ofsted – vetting would-be staff and fire safety.
Ofsted inspectors David Morgan and Julian Parker were very critical of the way potential staff members were vetted.
“There is inadequate vetting of new staff. Although there is a policy in place that is understood by senior staff, it is not followed in practice and urgent improvements are necessary.
“Criminal record bureau checks are obtained but other measures are inadequately addressed and have the clear potential to put boarders at risk.
“A recent incident incident highlighted the need to make direct contact with referees but his did not serve to promote the school to revisit its own procedures or make such checks on subsequent appointments.”
In terms of fire safety concerns, the report said: “Although the fire drills and tests and fire protection system have been updated recently, there are a number of shortfalls that potentially jeopardise boarder’s safety. Boarders are not adequately protected from the risk of fire.”
The report talked about inadequate training of the school fire officer and the school could not show that boarders and staff had been trained in fire evacuations.
Moor Park head Jonathan Bartlett said: “Since taking up the post of headmaster at Moor Park on September 1, I have made it my priority to address the issues arising from the Ofsted inspection which took place during the last week of the summer term.
“I am delighted that the inspectors found the care of boarders and the overall boarding experience to be good. However they did find some inadequacies in our emergency evacuation and response procedures and aspects of our “safer recruitment” procedures.
“I have been working with the inspectors to make sure that Moor Park satisfies every requirement. I am in the process of arranging a further review to confirm that we meet, and exceed, every boarding standard.
“In the few days I have led this school I have been overwhelmed by the happiness of the children and the warmth of the community. It is clear to me that the pastoral care of the children is of paramount importance at Moor Park.”
Moor Park is an independent, Catholic foundation school for boys and girls age 7-13 years.
