School with staff absence concerns told to improve

A school where concerns have been raised about the impact of staff absences on education has been told it must improve.

Hutchinson Memorial Church of England First School in Checkley, Staffordshire, was given a requires improvement rating overall by Oftsted, after previously being graded outstanding in 2016.

Inspectors who visited in May praised many aspects of the school but said carers and parents were "worried about the impact that staff absence has on their children’s wellbeing and education".

Uttoxeter Learning Trust, which runs the school, said it accepted there were areas for improvement which it had been addressing and was encouraged by positive aspects highlighted in the report.

Parents told the BBC last month they were worried about the impact of staff absence at the school.

Ofsted said it was the first time the school had been inspected as an academy.

The watchdog said it was a place where "everyone is welcome" and pupils valued the "kindness that lives within the school" ethos which made them feel safe.

Inspectors said pupils listened well and focused on their work most of the time, while the school had high expectations for them.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) were fully included in lessons, it said.

Ofsted rated behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early year provision as "good".

It said the school offered a "great start in early years" but in some subjects after this, learning activities did not build on what pupils had studied before.

"This creates gaps in their knowledge and understanding," the report said.

It graded the school as requires improvement for the quality of education, leadership and management, as well as overall.

Ofsted said the school had started to take action to improve education but plans "have been impacted by turbulence in staffing".

It also said the school, supported by the trust, was concerned about the current staffing situation and had taken quick action to bring stability.

Inspectors added a "significant proportion of parents do not feel listened to" and it urged school leaders and the trust to continue to rebuild relationships with those who felt disengaged "so that they can work together as a united school community for the benefit of the pupils".

In a statement the trust said Ofsted recognised the positive relationships between staff and pupils and its commitment to fostering a positive school environment.

"The inspectors recognised that the school has made decisions to support staff well-being, which is appreciated by the staff in the school," the statement said.

"We remain committed to providing high-quality education for all our pupils and will continue working to address areas for development at Hutchinson Memorial while building on the strengths identified at both schools."

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