Eldon Primary School slapped with inadequate Ofsted rating citing broken relationship with council and staff turnover

A previously ‘outstanding’ primary school in Preston has been slapped with a ‘inadequate’ rating after the publication of an Ofsted report.

Eldon Primary School, on Eldon Street, has issues with leadership and management that have affected the education pupils are receiving, the report published this morning (19 September) said. Behaviour, personal development and early years provision were all rated ‘good’ but this was not enough to improve the overall rating.

Sustained high turnover of staff and the ‘fractured’ relationship between the school and parents, along with Lancashire County Council, have ‘overshadowed pupils’ experiences at this school’.

And issues ranging from staff grievances to parental complaints are consuming the work of the school to the point where pupils are not learning all that they should across a broad range of subjects.

The inspection took place on various dates in March and April, having originally been announced in February but deferred at the headteacher’s request. It began on March 20, only to be paused the following day following discussions with Ofsted’s regional director for the North West.

It had then been due to resume the following week, only for another delay at the request of senior leaders. It finally resumed on April 16, with an extra day added to ensure sufficient evidence was collected.

The report notes that the relationship between Eldon Primary School and Lancashire County Council is ‘broken’ and this is affecting the school’s ability to improve.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: “Following the findings of Ofsted at Eldon Primary School, we would like to reassure parents, carers and the wider school community that we are fully committed to supporting the school by ensuring continuous improvement.

“Nonetheless, we note that there were some positive findings in the Ofsted report. The school was rated ‘good’ in early years provision, behaviour and attitudes and personal development, and its enrichment, mindfulness and supportive staff were also praised.

“The school’s ‘interesting and engaging’ curriculum was also highlighted, although the inspectors also recommended that its delivery needs to be more consistent throughout the school, and the school’s ‘high expectations for pupils’ behaviour from the early years’ were singled out for praise.

“We understand that an academy order is now expected, as part of the national, statutory process.

“However, we will continue to work with the leadership in implementing the recommendations of the report during its forthcoming transition. We will, of course, ensure all staff, parents and carers and the wider school community are supported and kept fully informed throughout this journey.”

Blog Preston has approached Eldon Primary School for a statement.

The report also states that the school’s governors have not acted swiftly enough to prevent a decline in pupils’ achievements and that some staff, including senior leaders, have not been protected from harassment.

In August, Plungington councillor for Preston City Council Pav Akthar, who is listed as a governor at the school, spoke about staff at the school being subject to racist abuse.

He claimed staff have faced two years of ‘online and in-person abuse’ including ‘racist and sexist vitriol against its female leaders and Asian Muslim headteacher’.

The report states: “Governors have not ensured sufficient oversight of the education that pupils receive.

“Furthermore, they have not resolved the ongoing staffing and parental issues sufficiently well.

“This has a negative impact on pupils’ learning. The school should ensure that governors provide more effective support and challenge to fully resolve matters and reset the school’s focus on pupils’ education.”

The school was praised for having an interesting and engaging curriculum in the face of inconsistent delivery. English and Maths teaching in particular was singled out as a positive.

The report also states that the youngest pupils have been effectively shielded from the upheaval at the school and that pupils behave well in their lessons.

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.