A HEADTEACHER has responded after her school received an "inadequate" by Ofsted.

Brighton and Hove Montessori School was graded by the official education watchdog following an inspection in October, the report was published last week.

Ofsted inspector Lucy English visited the small independent school in Stanford Avenue, Brighton, which only has 35 pupils.

She found issues involving safeguarding and a lack of ambition from teachers for younger pupils.

Her report highlighted a number of areas, saying that "basic processes, including those relating to safeguarding, and a range of independent school standards have not been maintained."

Headteacher, Ms Daisy Cockburn, said that the school is using the report as a "catalyst" for improvements.

She said: “Although disappointed by our recent Ofsted report, we are using it as a catalyst for improvements and are grateful for the encouragement and help of parents and other professionals."

Ms Cockburn highlighted the Ofsted Parents View portal in which parents are able to vote on different aspects of the school anonymously.

She added: "You can see that current parents feel their children are happy and safe at this school and would recommend us to other families."

With regards to the safeguarding concerns raised the head said that staff have enhanced DBS checks and paediatric first aid training.

She said: "Implementing safeguarding and child protection to ensure child safety and wellbeing has always been a paramount concern for us.

"Additionally Prevent training was completed by colleagues who had recently joined us and other improvements have, and continue to be made, in all areas of our work."

The official report outlined issues surrounding the reading and wring aspects of the curriculum.

Ms Cockburn said: "With regards to the curriculum for reading and writing, the Montessori curriculum is well documented and is being implemented with great enthusiasm.

"Some children have had interruptions in their learning due to Covid but are enjoying getting back to a more calm and child centred environment."

She went on to urge that anyone with any queries to contact the school at info@brighton-montessori.org.uk or look at the website www.brighton-montessori.org.uk for upcoming open events.

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