Pupils 'feel safe again' as racism issues tackled at primary school
A SCHOOL where children used racist and homophobic language is making good progress after being placed in special measures.
Hilderthorpe Primary in Bridlington was put in special measures by Ofsted last summer.
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MAKING IMPROVEMENTS: Hilderthorpe Primary acting head teacher Amanda Barnett. Picture: Simon Kench
The step was taken after inspectors found pupils did not feel safe at the school, where there was evidence of racist and homophobic comments by pupils.
Following their latest monitoring inspection, Ofsted has reported good improvements in the behaviour and safety of pupils.
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Inspectors said: "The result of the school's efforts is that incidents, particularly those of a racist or homophobic nature, are much reduced and pupils regard themselves as safe.
"Quite correctly, the school is holding teachers responsible for the behaviour of their pupils and is supporting them through the writing of individual behaviour plans for pupils who need the most support."
Staff in the school's nurture lounge offer emotional support to pupils whose circumstances may make them vulnerable.
Ofsted said high expectations pupils will behave and be safe permeate the school.
Inspectors said: "It has not been an easy journey but determined leadership has brought the school to the point where it is operating smoothly and cohesively.
"Difficult decisions have been made and rightly so."
Inconsistencies in both teaching quality and learning continue to prevent accelerated progress.
But the inspectors said: "This is not to say a focus on developing greater consistency has not been present. It has.
"Despite a few instances of opposition, leaders have been absolutely correct in their drive that pupils will make better progress than they have in the past to attain the higher standards of which they are capable."
The next monitoring inspection, due in the autumn, will check on whether the good progress identified in the inspection has been sustained.
Acting head teacher Amanda Barnett said the report reflects the hard work and determination of staff.
She said: "All efforts are now focused on securing an accurate baseline assessment for every pupil and ensuring clear use of this in lessons."
Mike Furbank, head of achievement and inclusion at East Riding Council, is pleased the focus is "squarely on performance in the classroom" and "the whole school issues presented only a year ago have been so successfully tackled".
Comments
by smartguy1
Thursday, June 28 2012, 10:16PM
“WayneCarr...Good point. Does anyone else remember 'Love Thy Neighbour'. Great comedy show about 2 couples, 1 black and 1 white living next door to each other. The women were very good friends and the men did nothing but have racial go's at each other, like for like.”
by waynecarr
Thursday, June 28 2012, 9:12PM
“oh dear the PC brigade strike again,,, in the good old days when you could call people what ever you wanted, no one got upset. i mean we had the black n white minstrel show, the comedians, love the beighbour, mind your langauage. no ever got upset..... then ben elton stuck his speccy face in and got on the scene. now what - graham norton on 24/7”
by Neg_Dupree
Thursday, June 28 2012, 8:52PM
“Who's the headteacher? Jim Davidson?”
by smartguy1
Thursday, June 28 2012, 8:20PM
“An act of 'racism' in a school recently was when a 6 year old child asked why another child's skin was black. How ridiculous. How are kids going to learn if they don't ask questions. I remember a time when racism was only about the colour of someone's skin and would never have dreamt that the UK would have made racist comments about people of the same skin colour, i.e. people from Eastern Europe. There are no longer English, Scottish or Irish jokes and soon you won't be able to say anything about someone being a Wezzie, Scouser or Geordie. The whole thing is going bonkers but I suppose that's easy for me to say as I am white and English born. I just wonder if the racism laws we have protect me also.”
by GideonStrap
Thursday, June 28 2012, 2:30PM
“Are we still in the 1950's? I can't believe people think it's acceptable to have children using racist and homophobic language in a primary school. It's not a matter of being soft or politically correct, it's bullying. If I had a child at the school that was subject to this kind of abuse I'd want it sorted.
As for work places, if anyone made racial or homophobic slurs at another worker at my company, they'd be sacked on the spot and rightly so. Lots of children commit suicide because of bullying, so it's no laughing matter.”
by LottieWoodie
Thursday, June 28 2012, 1:51PM
“@TerryCom
Let me get this straight, trying to remove racist and homophobic language and attitudes is now 'PC'........what a simpleton you are.”
by TerryCom
Thursday, June 28 2012, 1:14PM
“Another "victory" for the PC brigade methinks”
by Mickey_Luv2
Thursday, June 28 2012, 12:44PM
“And yet another generation of kids have been removed for any preparation of the real world. Do these idealistic simpletons realise that not every company in the UK has a "nurture lounge" when someone called little Jonny a "speccy four eyes"”
by David_Nivea
Thursday, June 28 2012, 11:46AM
“Blimey, the inspectors should go on any local bus.
Anyway, what does "Ofsted said high expectations pupils will behave and be safe permeate the school.", mean please?
Apart from that, what a maervellously jargon-rich article. If this is how Edjukaters speak, no wonder that children don't know anything.”
by pippa1951
Thursday, June 28 2012, 9:34AM
“"Inspectors said: "The result of the school's efforts is that incidents, particularly those of a racist or homophobic nature, are much reduced and pupils regard themselves as safe"
Am I being naive or what ?
This is a primary school !!!”