Academy which allegedly sought to block local authority from fully probing its safeguarding processes retains Ofsted “outstanding” rating

A free school appears to have escaped losing its prized “outstanding” rating from Ofsted –at least for now –because of the coronavirus crisis, after inspectors uncovered “serious” safeguarding concerns during a short visit but said this could not be translated into a fuller judgment which seems likely to have seen it downgraded.

Atam Academy, in Redbridge, east London, received a string of criticisms of its safeguarding procedures following a visit by three Her Majesty’s Inspectors in November, Education Uncovered can reveal.

The visit appears to have been one of just a handful such inspections across the country to have taken place on-site in schools despite the coronavirus in recent months.

Ofsted’s report on Atam said that, without the current pandemic, its inspection findings would have triggered a fuller evaluation of the school. Under the inspectorate’s rules, it appears impossible for a school to retain a rating above inadequate if this full inspection had taken place with safeguarding found to be defective.

However, Atam has escaped any such downgrading, for now, because these fuller inspections are currently suspended. Instead, Ofsted has promised a return visit when the pandemic allows it.