Inspectors rate Shropshire special school 'inadequate'

The residential care provision at Cruckton Hall School, near Shrewsbury, was inspected in late July. On Friday parents were sent a letter explaining the grading.

Inspectors found the school, which had a change of management a year ago, needed to record information better, but there were no concerns for pupils' care.

The letter sent to parents and signed by Rob Finney, acting registered manager and assistant director for operations and compliance,

says: "We wish to inform you that following an inspection by Ofsted on July 21 and 22, the residential care provision at Cruckton Hall was deemed to be adequate in some areas and inadequate in others with an overall rating of inadequate.

"The shortfalls are mainly to do with recording of information and the inspector noted that she did not have any welfare issues surrounding our pupils' care.

"The inspector recognised the considerable efforts that Cruckton Hall had made over the preceding months to ensure that the home was compliant in all areas and we were grateful for her overview. Nevertheless, there were still some areas that required further time for the home to be able to demonstrate compliance."

Mr Finney said that the school had put together a "comprehensive" action plan to improve.

Mr Finney said the school will be reinspected again in the next six to eight weeks.

He added: "We have every confidence that we will achieve compliance by the time we are reinspected."