An Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report into The Mount School in Dalton Terrace has found the school hasn’t met standards in three key areas – leadership, safeguarding implementation and risk assessments and there’s mention of concerns over how trips abroad have been handled.
They met the required standards when it came to: behaviour, bullying, health and safety, boarders’ health and wellbeing, supervision of pupils, suitability of staff, supply staff and the proprietor, boarding accommodation, provision of information and complaints procedures.
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A school spokesperson has said that safeguarding remains their ‘utmost priority’ in school and that the ISI recognised they have ‘an appropriate policy for safeguarding which provides suitable arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils’.
They went on to say that action has already been undertaken to address the areas of concern.
Inspectors carried out an on-the-spot inspection on May 9 at the school which has about 240 pupils and counts Oscar winning actress Dame Judi Dench among its former pupils.
Last year the school announced it would be starting to accept primary age boys again for the first time since 2018, and the secondary school remains for girls only.
When it comes to risk assessments the inspectors found: ‘Governors have identified the need for improvements in the assessment of risks associated with adventurous overseas residential trip following previous incidents’.
They do not go into what the ‘previous incidents’ were, but do go on to say, ‘the means by which the requirement to include female members of staff on residential trips will be met has not been understood or discussed by all relevant staff.’
When it comes to action points they said: ‘the school must ensure that when allegations and low-level concerns are received about adults working in the school, associated safeguarding risks to pupils are identified and mitigated’.
A spokesperson at The Mount said: “Safeguarding remains our utmost priority in school. We value the safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff above all else. ISI recognised that we have ‘an appropriate policy for safeguarding which provides suitable arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils.’
“We are pleased to have met the majority of ISI criteria and received positive feedback. We acknowledge the areas that need action, such as duplication of records, and we take these concerns very seriously.
“Our new designated safeguarding lead and team has already implemented a comprehensive action plan to rectify the issues raised and to ensure our school meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
“The report noted that risk assessments for trips are suitable, but there was a need for ‘improvements on assessment of risks associated with adventurous overseas residential’ expeditions. We have already implemented new risk assessment software to ensure consistent and comprehensive consideration of risks on trips.
“In the last week, an independent consultant, with ISI experience, has visited the school to conduct an internal inspection on safeguarding following the implementation of our action plan. They are confident we meet all the ISI criteria.”
In May The Press reported that the school’s head, David Griffiths, will be stepping down as of January next year, and will take up a role on the school’s recruitment, admissions and marketing committee.
