Much Wenlock school placed in special measures over safeguarding concerns

The secondary school was visited by inspectors on February 7 and 8, and it was rated "inadequate".

It was rated "good" in two categories – quality of teaching, learning and assessment and outcomes for pupils, but it was rated inadequate in the other three – effectiveness of leadership and management, personal development, behaviour and welfare and 16 to 19 study programmes.

The report says: "Leaders and governors have not ensured that the school's safeguarding policies and procedures are followed consistently. They do not have a good enough knowledge or understanding of safeguarding. Leaders have not ensured that all staff understand their role to safeguard pupils."

It adds that some staff do not have the knowledge in safeguarding needed to enable them to identify issues effectively.

Attendance in the Sixth Form is too low, although it is improving, according to the report.

It adds that pupils' behaviour needs improving as "a minority of pupils disrupt the learning of others in lessons".

The report adds that teaching has improved since the last inspection and teaching and systems for monitoring pupils' progress across all year groups are effective.

Headteacher Geoff Renwick said: "Ofsted inspected our school on February 7 and 8, and we have now received their full report.

"Whilst the inspectors recognised that we have achieved significant improvements in teaching and student outcomes – now rating both as good – they have also identified concerns around safeguarding.

"As safeguarding is an overriding judgment, our school has been placed in special measures, which means that we are working very closely with the Regional Schools Commissioner, Ofsted and the Shropshire Local Authority safeguarding team to make immediate improvements.

"Safeguarding is the absolute priority at William Brookes School, and our action plan is already well under way.

"On February 17, Shropshire Local Authority safeguarding team carried out a further review.

"They found that 'the policies and procedures concerning safeguarding that were identified in the review are secure' and that 'children are safe when they are in school'."