Ofsted rates LIPA Primary and High school as 'requires improvement' as parent speaks out about poor school dinners and bad behaviour.



The primary and high school of Paul McCartney's performing arts institute have been downgraded by Ofsted amid reports of poor behaviour and pupils feeling unsafe, while a parent has also complained about the standard of school dinners.


An inspection of LIPA primary and high school was carried out on March 12 and 13 this year. The visit has resulted in the school being downgraded from 'good' to 'requires improvement.'

LIPA primary and high school opened in September 2014 in Upper Duke Street and comes under the umbrella of the original performing arts academy that was jointly founded by former Beatle Paul McCartney and opened its doors in 1996.

The latest inspection report by Ofsted, released to parents initially and seen by the ECHO, highlights a number of concerns at the school - particularly around behaviour issues of some pupils.

The report states that while most pupils at the school, which caters for follow instructions and focus well on their learning, "some older pupils do not behave as well as they should" and "some pupils told inspectors that they do not feel safe in school."


It adds: "This is because they are worried by the behaviour of some of the other pupils, especially during break times. Added to this, some pupils do not show sufficient respect for their school.

The report points out that the school has recently updated its behaviour policy to reflect its "increased expectations." It adds: "However, the new behaviour policy is not applied consistently well by staff. Pupils and staff reported varying experiences of behaviour between different year groups, especially outside of lesson times."


Added to this, the inspectors said, the school "does not have clear enough understanding of the impact of its work to improve pupils’ behaviour across the school."


It adds: "Some older pupils do not share the same sense of belonging to the school as their younger peers. This is partly because, until recently, older pupils have not had consistently positive experiences in their school life. Changes in staffing and accommodation have left older pupils feeling, at times, unsettled, and this has contributed to some pupils’ poor behaviour."


As a result of some staff not implementing the schools' updated behaviour policy consistently well, Ofsted found that "some pupils do not behave as well as they should in lessons and around school sites." The school needs to do more to ensure pupils understand the behaviour expected of them, according to the inspectors.


Despite these criticisms, the school was rated as 'good' for its quality of education, its early years provision and the personal development of its pupils. It was deemed to need to improve in terms of the behaviour and attitudes of its pupils and the leadership and management of staff.


Other concerns have been raised with the ECHO by a parent at a school, including around the standard of some school dinners being served to pupils.


One parent shared an image of a dinner presented in a takeaway box, which she claimed was delivered cold and not of a standard pupils should be eating. They also shared images that they said show the school buildings in disrepair. The school said it is carrying out regular refurbishment works.

Commenting on the wider issues identified by Ofsted, she said: "I think it is a damning comment that some pupils don't feel safe. There is a lack of leadership and a lack of being willing to face up to problems. I wish my children didn't have to go there anymore but we don't have many other options."


In response to the Ofsted report, a spokesperson for the school said: "Many aspects of LIPA’s work were reported on positively by Ofsted.