Discriminatory behaviour at a Shropshire school which was rated inadequate in 2022 is still “frequent”, inspectors say.
In its latest report, Ofsted says Idsall School in Shifnal has made progress against some targets – but more work is required before the school can be removed from special measures.
Following a visit in November inspectors said standards of behaviour at the school have improved, but said they witnessed “low-level disruption” to lessons and added that further work analysing some pupil’s behaviour was needed to establish a “clear picture” of the problems.
“Behaviour in lessons has improved. However, there is still work to be done. During the inspection, most lessons visited were calm, with pupils readily following staff instructions,” said a report to the school from Ofsted inspector Alexander Laney.
“However, low-level disruption persists in some lessons, and while most teachers now challenge poor behaviour, not all do so consistently.
“[The school has] recently begun a programme of targeted interventions to support pupils to manage their behaviour better. However, this work is in its infancy and has yet to show impact.”
A report by Ofsted in 2022 said pupils “do not feel safe” at the school, with some saying they experienced “frequent sexual harassment or discriminatory behaviour from their peers,” a claim which was contested by the school.
However at the most recent inspection pupils told inspectors that incidents of discriminatory behaviour are still “frequent”, and many still do not feel comfortable raising their concerns with staff.
The school joined the Marches Academy Trust in 2023, which has seen a deputy head-teacher and a special educational needs specialist join the teaching staff on secondment from other schools.
“These changes, alongside changes to the roles and responsibilities of the rest of your leadership team, are enabling you to focus your work on the right things,” added Mr Laney, addressing the school.
“Leaders from across the multi-academy trust have supported you well to achieve this. You are taking the right actions, in the right order and at the right pace.”
The report added that the school had made progress improving the quality of its curriculum, with clearer direction now provided for pupils about when they will learn key subject matter.
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