Ofsted conducted an urgent inspection of Magdalen College School on January 24, 2023, to assess the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements due to concerns raised about these measures and aspects of pupils' personal development. The inspection was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005, and while no graded judgments are given for urgent inspections, findings indicated that safeguarding is effective at the school.
The inspection team reviewed the single central record and other safeguarding documents, met with the headteacher, designated safeguarding lead, trustees, and various groups of pupils and staff. They observed lessons and scrutinized the school's personal development program, attendance records, and improvement plans. The evidence gathered led to the conclusion that leaders prioritize pupils' best interests, with staff well-informed about their responsibilities in safeguarding. Effective training is provided, and staff are vigilant in reporting any concerns regarding pupil welfare. Leaders collaborate with families and external organizations, including local police and health services, to ensure pupils receive necessary support, including mental health services.
The school has established a safe environment through effective recruitment practices, robust systems for online safety, and risk assessments for site access. However, there is a need for a clearer system to record welfare checks for pupils not attending school or receiving education elsewhere. The curriculum for personal, citizenship, social, health, and economic education is ambitious and effective, with teachers demonstrating strong subject knowledge. Pupils engage seriously with their learning, developing a solid understanding of important topics such as drug and alcohol misuse, online safety, and healthy relationships.
Pupils learn about protected characteristics and the importance of respect, with most students treating each other well. However, some pupils reported instances of discriminatory language, expressing reluctance to report such incidents for fear of being labeled a snitch. Leaders acknowledge this issue and are working to foster a culture where all forms of discriminatory language are not tolerated, encouraging pupils to feel safe in reporting incidents.
Governors play an active role in holding leaders accountable for safeguarding and child protection processes, regularly visiting the school and engaging with pupils and staff to verify information provided by leaders. They reflect on their practices and identify areas for improvement in safeguarding measures.
The school leaders appreciate the support and challenge from external partners, which informs their improvement plans. They have engaged with local authority safeguarding leaders and conducted an external audit of safeguarding practices. Moving forward, leaders must enhance the robustness of systems for recording welfare checks on pupils who are not attending school or are receiving education off-site. Additionally, they should continue to promote a culture where discriminatory language is not accepted, ensuring that all pupils feel empowered to report such incidents.
The inspection findings indicate that while safeguarding is effective, there are areas for further improvement to enhance the overall safety and well-being of pupils at Magdalen College School. The commitment of leaders, staff, and governors to continuous improvement is evident, and with the right measures in place, the school can further strengthen its safeguarding practices and support for pupils.
