Staff are working to improve the Ofsted rating of a school rated 'inadequate' at its last inspection, where inspectors found "serious weaknesses".

Welling School on Elsa Road was rated 'inadequate' following an inspection on February 8 2022.

Ofsted inspectors revisited on May 4 for a monitoring inspection, which is ungraded.

Inspectors found that while “leaders have made progress to improve the school” they added that “more work is necessary for the category of concerned to be removed.”

Since the last graded inspection of the school, Ofsted recognised that changes had been made to the roles and responsibilities of senior leaders.

In April 2023, a new headteacher and two new deputy headteachers began working at Welling School.

Inspectors found that the school offers a “broad and balanced curriculum” which is in line with the national curriculum.

Teachers make sure that pupils have the chance to remember things they have learned before, but this is not routinely the case in every class.

Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have contributed to the design of “pupil passports” for pupils with SEND.

As a result, Ofsted found that the needs of pupils with SEND are taken more closely into account than was previously the case.

A culture of regular reading is being developed at Welling School as pupils now take part in reading as a whole class, but inspectors found that the school recognises there is still a way to go to ensure that these sessions are used effectively.

A priority at the school was found by Ofsted to have been improving behaviour.

Generally, the school was reported to have become a more “orderly environment”, allowing children to learn better than before.

Teachers were found to have been trained to be more consistent in their monitoring of pupil behaviour.

Inspectors noted the impact of training for staff and how this had led to better learning experiences for students.

They said: "Teaching staff ensure that pupils have more frequent opportunities for pupils to remember their prior learning.

"Staff are better able to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) than in the past."

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

Daniel Hatley, executive headteacher at Welling School, said: “I am delighted that the team was able to see the impact of the work that has been going on at all levels of the organisation, since February last year and were able to cite tangible improvement in all areas that the school was asked to focus on.

“We were extremely pleased with the feedback we got from the lead inspector in the verbal summary at the end of day two - it was far more effusive than the standard language in the letter.

“The report particularly notes improved standards of behaviour and says that ‘typically, the school is now a more orderly environment where students can learn better than before’ and that pupils also expressed this view."

He said the report acknowledges good improvement and the clear ambition staff have for students and their shared successes.

He added: “In order for Ofsted to judge that the school is making progress they also take into account the likelihood of the school being 'good' within 30 months of the initial inspection.

“This means that based on what the team experienced and evidence they saw they were satisfied that Welling is well on track to be a good school.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work of staff and also students. I am lucky to work with a community of such dedicated staff.

“Be assured that we will continue to work hard to ensure Welling School goes from strength to strength.”

Back in February when Ofsted undertook a full inspection of the school, inspectors noted weaknesses in personal development and careers as not many pupils took part in extracurricular activities.

The school also came under fire from hygiene inspectors who found mice droppings and discovered an “active infestation” of the animals in May. 

Hygiene inspectors found fresh droppings and that these had not been cleaned before food preparation began.

Impact Food Group, which catered for the school, was criticised by the council’s environment health officer after the inspection.

The report said: “Mice droppings were found in various locations in the kitchen indicating there was an active infestation.

“Fresh droppings appeared concentrated in the washing up area indicating possible access route of mice to the kitchen.”