A private school for primary aged children was told to take immediate action over a number of failings found by inspectors.
Branwood Preparatory School, in Salford, failed to meet required standards in relation to safeguarding and health and safety as well as checking the suitability of staff.
A report from its first inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), says the school 'does not make appropriate checks to ensure the suitability of all its staff'.
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"In particular, checks of qualifications, right to work in the UK, medical fitness and overseas checks are not always undertaken before a member of staff starts work and, in some cases had not been undertaken at all prior to the inspection," it states. "An SCR [single central register] is kept, however not all checks are recorded as required."
The inspection, which was carried out at the school in Monton, Eccles, in June, also found that not all standards 'relating to leadership and management' are met.
"The proprietor does not ensure that the leadership and management demonstrate good skills and knowledge and fulfil their responsibilities effectively," the report says.
"They have not always ensured that relevant requirements for health and safety, including risk assessment and maintenance are met. Safeguarding and safer recruitment procedures are not correctly implemented. The welfare of pupils is not actively promoted."
Not all aspects of the school premises were found to be 'maintained to the required standard', with the report addeding: "In particular fire doors do not meet the required standards."
The 155-pupil school for children aged three to 11 was told to 'take immediate action to remedy deficiencies', including making sure that 'all staff records and files contain sufficient, accurate information to evidence the required recruitment checks' and delegating a person with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage health and safety risks.
The school says it acted on many of the 'action points' immediately, some of them while the inspection was still taking place, and has now implemented them all.
Standards it was found to already be meeting included those relating to the quality of education, those relating to spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, and some other aspects of welfare, health and safety.
It was also found to be meeting standards relating to the provision of information and the handling of complaints.
A school spokesperson said: "We were pleased with many elements contained within the ISI Compliance Report, and also recognise that the inspectors found isolated instances where the school did not meet the regulatory requirements. However, many of these requirements were met before the inspectors left the school site.
"We promptly reviewed and audited our practices in order to address all matters mentioned in the report. We have proactively engaged with the whole process and the school has implemented all points on the action plan.
"This is the first ISI inspection, as the school was previously inspected by Ofsted, the last inspection being in 2017. Clearly, we welcome constructive criticism because we want to be the very best we can be.
"We feel confident that any future inspections will result in a positive outcome due to the prompt and decisive actions taken."
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