Gateshead school where 'pupils benefit from staff who know them well' praised following urgent Ofsted inspection
A Gateshead school has been praised by Ofsted following an urgent inspection.
The education regulator was called to St Thomas More Catholic School after concerns were raised surrounding the effectiveness of the school’s safeguarding arrangements.
Taking place in late September, the inspection found the site’s arrangements for safeguarding were effective.
St Thomas More’s most recent full inspection came in March 2023, when it was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted after a previous ‘outstanding’ rating, although the most recent visit from Ofsted was only used to check safeguarding arrangements.
The inspection report, which was released on Monday, November 10, says: “The inspection was carried out because His Majesty's Chief Inspector wished to determine the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements at the school as concerns had been raised with Ofsted.
We scrutinised the single central record and other documents relating to safeguarding and child protection arrangements and met with the headteacher, members of the senior leadership team, the chair of the board of governors, the vice-chair of the board of trustees, the chief executive officer of the trust, a representative of the local authority and the LADO.
“We reviewed the attendance and behaviour information from the school, including the interventions to support pupils. During the inspection, we spoke to groups of pupils about their experience in school, as well as members of teaching staff and those involved in supporting the pastoral needs of pupils.”
It added the school has: “Established rigorous safeguarding systems and processes.
“The well-developed approach leaders take when dealing with safeguarding disclosures ensures that timely actions take place to support vulnerable pupils.
“Pupils echoed the impact of the strong pastoral support available through the house and sixth form system. Pupils benefit from pastoral tutors who know them well.
“Within the school’s wider curriculum programme, you have ensured that pupils have regular opportunities to undertake important learning about how to keep safe.”
Looking into the future, inspectors recommended the school should “continue to work closely with pupils, particularly older pupils, to ensure they understand the need to report any issues around use of sexualised language through the existing school systems.”
The full report is available to read online through the Ofsted website.