Ofsted: The Harbour School in Portsmouth receives inadequate rating

The Harbour School is a special school and alternative provision for young people, aged between five and 19, who have have a range of developmental needs and is spread across three sites: The Tipner, Vanguard and Cosham campus.

The inspection took place on December 6 and 7, and it was found that the school requires improvement on the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes and personal development. The leadership and management received a rating of inadequate and it was noted that the school’s safeguarding was not effective and although there is a plan in place, some staff were not consistent with following this. It was found that some parts of the sites are ‘shabby’ and need improving as it is affecting the education of students who have additional needs.

The report said: ‘More needs to be done by leaders, staff, parents and pupils alike, to make this a consistently good school at each campus.

‘Variations in the quality of provision and inconsistent expectations of staff across the different sites of the school mean that it is difficult to identify or describe an overarching ethos or culture as things presently stand.’

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According to Ofsted, staff are aware that the model of teaching for students who are dual registered, as well as those solely attending the school, is not working and they have already had discussions with the local authority to improve this.

The report added: ‘Inconsistencies in safeguarding records mean that there is potential for important information, including repeated safeguarding concerns, to be missed. Additionally, actions taken by the school, including contact with parents, are sometimes omitted from the records.

‘The fabric of some of the school’s accommodation is shabby, poorly maintained and not fit for purpose. The poor quality of some of the school’s premises is directly impacting on pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, exacerbated by many pupils’ complex SEND.’

Despite the number of improvements that need to be made, there are also various areas which Ofsted has highlighted as doing well including the school’s online reintegration programme, which helps the students obtain qualifications. It also outlines that the work being done at Stamshaw and The Bridge to support pupils with complex additional needs.

The report said: ‘Senior leaders aspire to make the positive changes required, but more needs to be done to realise their ambitions. This is exemplified by some pupils enjoying regular residential trips of their work with The Prince’s Trust, helping them to develop the crucial life skills they will need in the future.

‘The headteacher fully understands the challenges that the school faces. He has ensured that work has started to address them.’

Ofsted ratings are broken down into four categories, the highest being outstanding and the lowest being inadequate. If a school receives an inadequate rating, they are then placed in a category of concern which means that they either had serious weakness or require special measure to make sure improvements happen.

The school has been approached for a comment, but The News has had no response.