School gets poor marks for security

Published on Wednesday 16 October 2002 01:00

POOR security which would allow strangers to wander into classrooms was among a catalogue of safety concerns raised by education inspectors who visited an Edinburgh primary school.

Cramped classrooms and a crumbling playground also worried officials who inspected Towerbank Primary in Portobello.

The lack of a suitable security system meant that the children being taught in the school’s annexe were not being properly protected from potential danger, the education inspectors warned.

The problem was said to be aggravated by the lack of telephone access for staff in the annexe to alert those in the main school about any possible problems.

The HM Inspectors’ scathing report also said the small size of some classrooms "restricted the safe movement of staff and pupils".

The head’s leadership style and the rowdiness of some pupils affecting the ability of others to learn also came in for criticism.

Education chiefs today stressed that many improvements had been made since the inspectors visited in May, and added that the school is in line to be replaced under the local authority’s next multi-million pound Public Private Partnership project.

But more than half of the quality indicators in the inspectors’ report judged that facilities and conditions at the school were either "fair" or "unsatisfactory" - the bottom two of four possible rankings.

The inspectors graded overall accommodation at the school as "unsatisfactory" - the lowest rating.

They found wet rot on window sills in the annexe - which was described as being in a "state of poor repair" - and suggested that toilet provision for both boys and staff needed upgrading. The main school’s playground surface also required work.

Officials suggested that a nursery in the annexe building without suitable telephone contact to the main school was another possible security risk.

Inspectors revealed "significant behaviour problems" in some classes, which were affecting the learning of other pupils.

The report described headteacher John Wastle as "committed", but highlighted weaknesses in his leadership of the school and monitoring of whether staff were effective.

It said: " Many teachers felt they received too little support from senior management. The headteacher spent too little time working alongside teachers in order to recognise and address their needs."

The report also found that, while morale was generally good, there were "tensions" between some staff. Teachers were also accused of "lacking a clear focus on improving attainment". However, they also lauded staff for their commitment to the school.

Pupils’ attainment in English and mathematics were both rated "good", with some pupils achieving beyond national targets .

A wildlife garden and new gymnasium were among the facilities that impressed officials.

Edinburgh City Council education officials said that many of the weaknesses highlighted had been identified prior to the inspectors’ visit.

Education director Roy Jobson confirmed that a second depute headteacher will soon be hired to help tackle the problems and quality assurance monitoring has now been introduced at the school.

He added: "As soon as we saw an early draft of the HMIE report, work started on a programme of action. Senior officers from the department have already met the school’s senior management team to draw up an action plan and they will be supporting the school to address the management issues.

"There are a number of accommodation issues that we can address immediately - for example, improving security and phone links to the annexe."

Education leader Ewan Aitken added: "While recognising there are a number of issues raised in this report, it is important to recognise the good work taking place at Towerbank. Most of the lessons in the school were seen as good or very good and most pupils work well and are motivated to learn. With staff showing strong commitment to the school, backed up with parental support, I’m sure that working together we can address the issues."

Mr Wastle was unavailable for comment.