Malvern Primary School

Overview

This report details a Sustaining Improvement Inspection conducted in February 2017, during which staff and the acting principal engaged in industrial action involving "action short of strike" and refused to co-operate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was unable to evaluate the school’s capacity for improvement or assure stakeholders of the quality of education provided. The school was designated a "high priority for future inspection with no further notice."

Strengths

• The previous inspection in December 2013 had evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school as "good".
• During a follow-up visit in March 2017, the school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance issued by the relevant Departments."
• Pupils reported that they "feel safe in school" and know who to contact regarding safety concerns.

Areas to improve

• The report states the ETI was "unable to evaluate" the area for improvement from the 2013 inspection regarding the "planning and provision in the foundation stage."
• The employing authority, governors, and staff must plan for the "sustainability of the school provision and school budget" to address current and future needs.
• The ETI was unable to fully evaluate the outworking of safeguarding arrangements due to the ongoing industrial action.

Safeguarding

While the initial inspection found no evidence of satisfactory arrangements, a follow-up visit confirmed that the school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance issued by the relevant Departments" and that children feel safe.