Children at a special school in Nottinghamshire were put at a 'risk of harm' and some were neglected due to a lack of staff, according to a damning Ofsted report.
The education watchdog also found Harlow Academy, in Mansfield, did not meet pupils' basic care needs when inspectors visited on January 18, 19 and 20.
The former Fountaindale School in Harlow Wood was given an inadequate report in each of the six 'overall effectiveness' assesments, which includes leadership and management and quality of education.
Part of the assessment stated that some children are not currently attending the school because parents fear for their safety.
The school closed for two weeks after the inspection but has since reopened with new leadership, with bosses promising action.
The report read: "Pupils are not safe in this school.
"Staff do their best to care and provide for the complex needs of pupils. But there are not enough staff to make sure that all pupils are properly cared for.
"The lack of staff leaves pupils at imminent risk of harm. Some pupils are happy to come to school. However, some pupils’ basic needs are unmet.
"Some are neglected because staff are busy dealing with other pupils’ urgent care needs.
"Pupils do not receive an acceptable standard of education. They are not making the progress they should.
"There is no clear curriculum in place. Staff do not take pupils’ education, health and care plans into account when they plan learning.
"Some pupils are currently not attending school because parents fear for their safety."
The school has since appointed a new executive headteacher, Luci Windle, with Evolve Trust, the trust that runs the school, also bringing in a new interim CEO, Wayne Norrie. Both are said to have expertise in leading and managing schools, particularly in special education.
Evolve say they have appointed a new board of trustees which collectively holds more than 130 years of relevant experience.
Wayne Norrie, interim chief executive, The Evolve Trust, said: "Nothing is more important than the safety of our children and this is our immediate and top priority.
"Regrettably, this report makes for very difficult reading, but I would like to personally assure our school community that we are taking the findings of the report incredibly seriously.
“As educators, we have a duty of care to ensure provision is of the very highest standards and that all pupils can learn in a safe and welcoming environment at all times. As such, we have taken swift and effective action to ensure all children attending the Academy are now safe.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our parents, carers and colleagues for their understanding, patience and support at this challenging time, however, I hope they agree that the positive changes made so far are helping create school they can be proud of.”
Andy Child MBE, interim chair of the board of trustees at The Evolve Trust, said: “We know there is still much more work to be done, but the new Board of Trustees are also confident that the Academy’s relationships with parents and carers, the passion of our colleagues and the deep care we all share for our pupils, coupled with the expertise of the new leadership team, will enable The Harlow Academy to live up to our shared vision for the school and provide the best possible education for our young people.”
Leaders have been holding information sessions with parents, carers and staff to keep them informed and updated on changes and plans for the future.
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