Ofsted conducted a no formal designation inspection at Bishop Martin Church of England Primary School on January 25, 2022, to assess the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements due to concerns regarding leadership, management, and pupil behavior. The inspection involved a thorough review of safeguarding documents, meetings with the headteacher, senior leadership team, staff, pupils, parents, and representatives from the local authority and the Diocese of Liverpool. The findings indicate that safeguarding is effective, with a strong emphasis on the well-being of pupils.
The school has 234 pupils enrolled, with a significant proportion eligible for free school meals, which is more than double the national average. The demographic makeup includes a majority of White British heritage, and the school has a lower percentage of pupils with special educational needs compared to national figures. The school has experienced higher than average pupil mobility, with more students joining and leaving throughout the academic year.
The leadership team has implemented a new behavior management system called Shine Bright, which has received positive feedback from staff and is showing early signs of effectiveness. Pupils are generally settled in class and engage well with one another. However, there are challenges in ensuring consistent application of the new policy across all staff, particularly in addressing the root causes of misbehavior. Some pupils have not received adequate support to improve their conduct.
Pupils express enjoyment in attending school and report that incidents of misbehavior are handled calmly by staff. They feel confident that bullying is addressed effectively, and they understand the importance of healthy friendships. Parents also share positive views about the school, noting that bullying is recognized and managed appropriately. The school has established communication with parents regarding behavior management, and various awards are in place to encourage positive behavior and attendance.
The governing body is actively involved in monitoring the new behavior management system and has been supportive of initiatives to improve attendance, which has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The school has implemented measures to ensure the safety of pupils who are absent and has appointed additional staff to support families in getting their children back to school.
Safeguarding processes are regularly reviewed, and staff are well-trained in identifying and addressing potential risks to pupils. The school maintains detailed records of safeguarding incidents, demonstrating effective collaboration with external agencies to provide necessary support to pupils and their families. Pupils report feeling safe in school and are aware of how to keep themselves safe, including online.
The leadership team has made efforts to consider staff workload and well-being, resulting in high levels of staff pride in working at the school. A recent local authority review has validated the school's actions in promoting positive behavior, and support from the diocese has further strengthened the school's approach to safeguarding and behavior management.
Despite these positive developments, there are still areas for improvement. A group of pupils remains persistently absent, which affects their learning. The leadership team and governing body are encouraged to review attendance systems and continue engaging with parents to enhance pupil attendance. Additionally, inconsistencies in behavior management practices among staff need to be addressed to ensure all pupils receive the support they need to improve their behavior effectively. Overall, the school is making commendable progress in safeguarding and behavior management, with a clear commitment to continuous improvement.
