George Salter Academy: Ofsted highlights 'pupils at risk' and 'inappropriate' staff behaviour

Vulnerable pupils potentially at risk, staff behaving 'inappropriately' and haphazard attendance records - just some of the issues highlighted in a damning Ofsted report.

George Salter Academy in West Bromwich has been branded 'inadequate' and plunged into special measures after a visit from the schools watchdog, as revealed by the Express & Star earlier this week.

The full extent of issues at the school is laid bare in the 10-page dossier compiled after an Ofsted inspection in March.

Leaders at the Davey Road establishment have been skewered by inspectors for being 'unaware' of how to safeguard youngsters from 'extremism or radicalisation'.

The academy was ranked inadequate by inspection chiefs in three areas, while school leaders faced severe criticism over both their leadership and management.

One of the main areas of inspectors' ire was the collection of records at the school - which leaves teachers not knowing if pupils' disruptive behaviour is improving.

Click here to download the report

The report states: "The school records behaviour-related incidents electronically, which allows information about the number of incidents of different types to be collated as required.

"However, the analysis of this information is inadequate.

"Consequently, leaders do not know whether different aspects of behaviour, such as disruption in lessons, are getting better or worse over time."

The way in which pupils' attendance is recorded was also blasted as 'disorganised' - and described as being 'a serious safeguarding issue'.

Inspectors wrote: "The school's monitoring of attendance is disorganised.

"When pupils do not arrive at the school, parents or carers are texted and if no response is received pastoral managers telephone parents.

"However, the outcomes of these telephone calls are not recorded properly, either on a daily basis or over time.

"This means that leaders are unable to check if absence is being followed up properly or if appropriate action is being taken when a pupil's absence raises a concern.

"This is a serious safeguarding issue."

It continues: "The records and analysis of, for example, attendance are haphazard and disorganised.

"In some cases information is missing. As a consequence, leaders cannot be sure that potentially vulnerable pupils are kept safe."

Pupils from the school in Years 9, 10 and 11 attend other establishments outside Sandwell.

Youngsters are sent to The Hub, Smethwick Enterprise Centre; The Allotment, Wednesbury, Wolverhampton on a part-time basis for additional courses and alternative provision in construction, horticulture and hairdressing.

Governors and the academy's sponsor are not immune from criticism - with inspectors saying their actions have left the school's policies unfit for purpose.

The report states: "Governance is inadequate.

"The local governing body and the academy sponsor, OAT, have not ensured the school's policies and procedures are fit for purpose and comply with current government requirements.

"Safeguarding procedures, including attendance and behaviour, are not adequately reviewed and evaluated by senior leaders and governors."

The inspection took place between March 2 and 3.

The school has had £12 million worth of building work and received £599,000 to upgrade sports facilities last year.

George Salter was rated good overall after its previous Ofsted visit in 2014 - and outstanding back in 2010.

The behaviour of teachers is criticised in the report.

This states: "Teachers have not had the necessary safeguarding and child protection training.

"The school's safeguarding policy is not fit for purpose.

"It does not make clear the procedures that should be followed in order to keep pupils and learners safe.

"As a consequence, a large number of staff are unclear about what to do to ensure pupils are safe.

"For example, staff do not have a consistent view on how incidents should be recorded and reported.

"In addition, a very small minority of staff have behaved inappropriately as they are unclear about school procedures."

Three areas of effectiveness were rated as good with pupils praised for making 'good academic progress.'

Following the report's publication a school spokesman said: "We are pleased the report highlights that the teaching and learning at the school are good, and that it recognises the quality of the sixth form's achievement.

"We do acknowledge that despite having strict safeguarding policies and procedures in place across the trust, there were instances where these had not been followed at the school.

"The sponsor has taken decisive action to address the concerns raised."