A primary school has been pushed into becoming an academy due to safeguarding issues including not enough action against extremism and radicalisation.

In an inspection published this month, Ofsted deemed Wainscott primary "inadequate", the lowest rating a school can receive.

Parents are concerned about it becoming an academy and believe Ofsted has judged it unfairly.

The report highlighted major problems with safeguarding.

Inspectors found there were not "rigorous enough systems to ensure pupils are kept safe" and checks on new staff were not completed.

Not all staff had received training in "child protection, including in extremism and radicalisation", consequently concerns on pupils' physical and emotional well-being were not reported.

Not all staff had received training in "child protection, including in extremism and radicalisation" - Ofsted report

There were also failures within the special educational needs and/or disabilities provisions.
As a result, Education Secretary Damian Hinds automatically made an order for it to become an academy.

However, parents believe it is a good school and have set up a petition asking for Ofsted to re-examine it so it can remain under local authority control.

Mum Tracey Moon said: "The school has been standing for around 40 years and we're happy how it is, we don't want it to be an academy.

"I'm more than happy with the care our children are getting.

"The teachers are great, in the Ofsted report the teaching is rated good."

Medway Council’s portfolio holder for children’s services, Cllr Josie Iles, said: “We appreciate parents’ concerns, however, Ofsted’s ineffective safeguarding judgement automatically triggered Secretary of State intervention.

“We have a duty to take all reasonable steps to facilitate academy arrangements with the sponsor and this process is under way.

“We will continue to support, and challenge, the school’s governing body and leadership team to ensure the school continues to improve.”

The school has confirmed leaders and governors are committed to addressing the improvements which were identified in the report and, with Medway Council’s support, progress has already been made.

Despite the overall outcome of "inadequate" the inspection identified strengths within the school and the quality of teaching, learning and assessment and the outcomes for pupils were rated as good.

Mr Hinds has decided Wainscott will join The Primary First Trust, which is exclusively primary based.

It has helped improve schools, including Cuxton Junior School and Wayfield Primary School.

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