West Berkshire Council cries 'foul' over Ofsted's Inkpen school rating

WEST Berkshire Council has lodged a formal complaint with the Government's education watchdog after it branded a village school 'inadequate'.

Following a recent inspection, Ofsted downgraded Inkpen Primary School from its previous 'good' rating.

But the report prompted a furious reaction from district councillors who have described it as "entirely unacceptable."

They have rejected the report's findings and arranged a meeting to reassure parents.

The report states: "Leaders do not ensure that important safeguarding procedures are followed consistently...this leaves pupils at risk of further harm.

"Governors do not have the expertise or oversight to ensure that safeguarding is effective."

Behaviour and attitudes of pupils was rated 'good,' alongside their personal development.

However, the overall quality of education requires improvement, according to the report, alongside early years provision.

But district councillor Claire Rowles (Con, Hungerford and Kintbury) has said there are "clearly a number of concerns" with the way the inspection was handled.

She and colleagues have said the inspection was "disturbing, both in terms of the evidence considered or dismissed and the conduct of the lead inspector," adding: "It was felt the conduct of the inspector contravened Ofsted’s strict conduct policy."

A statement added: "[The inspection] was conducted on the two hottest days of the year, right at the end of term when the former headteacher was retiring and handing over to the new headteacher."

In addition, it is claimed

* the headteacher was not able to be present on the second day due to her son’s graduation – a fact which Ofsted was made aware of at the outset

* inspectors dismissed evidence that significant safeguarding measures had been put in place

* the safeguarding issue proved to be the overriding factor in unfairly deeming the school to be 'inadequate'

James Cole (Con, Hungerford and Kintbury) said: "Claire and I both find the actions of this inspector entirely unacceptable.

"It's incredibly frustrating to see a good school damaged in this way.

"We will have a session with parents because we want to reassure them that their school is still a very good school and in good hands."

West Berkshire Council has lodged a formal complaint with Ofsted.