Much Wenlock school placed in special measures over safeguarding concerns

William Brookes School in Much Wenlock was visited by inspectors on February 7 and 8, and has been rated "inadequate".

The secondary school 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 states: "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."

Attendance in the school's sixth form was also described as too low, although was found to be improving, according to the report.

It also comments on pupils' behaviour, saying that "a minority of pupils disrupt the learning of others in lessons".

But, the report says that teaching has improved since the last inspection and that systems for monitoring pupils’ progress across all year groups are effective.

Headteacher Geoff Renwick said the school has already moved to tackle the points raised by inspectors.

He said: "While 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.

"We accept the findings of Ofsted’s report and 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 underway to address the concerns identified by the Ofsted inspection.

"On February 17, Shropshire local authority safeguarding team carried out a further review at Ofsted’s request, to assess the urgent actions undertaken in the nine days since Ofsted's inspection.

"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'.

A number of residents spoke up in support of the school on social media in response to the news.

Deborah Marks said: "Absolute rubbish. My boys went to this school, so did I and my mum.

"I cannot fault this school, both my boys come out with top marks, I was on the PTA there for six years and believe me the teachers and staff work 101 per cent for this school and the interest of the pupils.

"One slight thing and Ofsted put them down, makes me so cross.

"These reports do not reflect a full working year, just a couple of days watching."