A primary school in Preston downgraded from outstanding to inadequate after an Ofsted inspection has vowed to overturn the decision on appeal.

Eldon Primary School was this morning (19 September) confirmed to have received the inadequate rating after inspections on various dates early in 2024.

Issues cited included problems with leadership and management, sustained high turnover of staff and a fractured relationship the school has with both parents and Lancashire County Council.

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The rating would mean that the school would receive an academy order, as part of a statutory process for schools rated inadequate.

But a letter to parents from governors of the school, seen by Blog Preston, contested the Ofsted rating and said the appeal process has already started.

It reads: “Everyone – staff and governors – is stunned that Ofsted has put our school in this category. Even the school’s independent advisors can’t explain Ofsted’s contradictory findings given the many positives in the report about pupils’ education and progress, and school’s culture.

“As governors, we have scrutinised every line of Ofsted’s report and found errors that cannot justify Ofsted inspectors’ decision. The Governing Body has appealed the overall judgement and sent a dossier to Ofsted showing evidence inspectors did not pay regard to, as well as setting out facts the inspectors got wrong. We are awaiting the outcome of our case.”

The letter highlights that the school was praised in a number of areas, including pupil behaviour and their curriculum.

However, it also addresses the breakdown in relationship between some senior staff and parents, which Ofsted said had distracted staff from delivering the previous standard of education.

It alleges that the issues stem from harassment and abuse by a ‘small number of parents’ that have been racially-aggravated.

It said: “The Governing Body apologise unreservedly to our outstanding headteacher, Mrs Butt, our deputy head, Ms Power, and all staff affected by the campaign of harassment and abuse by a small number of parents and their proxies.

“Despite governors backing a ban on the worst offenders and agreeing police intervention for racially aggravated public order offences, what we could not prevent was the vitriol from anonymous accounts on social media.

“Examples of staff facing unacceptable behaviours range from verbal abuse, threats of physical harm, to school leaders’ car and home being attacked. This behaviour is unacceptable.”

Eldon Primary School concluded they are working with the local authority – Lancashire County Council – to recover their outstanding status.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council told Blog Preston earlier today: “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.”

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