A camp for primary school children in Twickenham has been rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted after inspectors found children were “not protected from harm”.

Fit for Sport, contracted by Orleans Primary School to provide after school and holiday clubs for its students, was inspected on October 25 and it was found the manager and staff “have a weak understanding of current and wider child protection issues”.

The primary school itself is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

According to the school regulator: “This compromises their safety and welfare.

“Staff do not keep a record of children’s hours and attendance as required.

“The manager does not coach staff effectively to help them understand their role and responsibilities.

“Partnerships with parents are weak. The manager and staff do not provide parents with sufficient information about their children's time at the club.

“Staff do not manage children's behaviour consistently.

“Children do not gain a clear understanding of behaviour expectations.”

With regards to strengths, the report stated the manager delegates supervisory duties to staff “adequately” during play time and that staff “welcome children warmly” on arrival.

To meet requirements, the school must ensure staff understand how to keep children safe, keep a record of attendance, ensure staff are supervised and keep parents informed on their children’s activities.

Orleans Primary School has responded and is sending this letter out to parents: “We have just been made aware of a recent Ofsted inspection of the Fit for Sport holiday provision and are clearly disappointed in hearing this news.

“Fit for Sport did not make us aware of the inspection, and we are speaking to their senior managers as a matter of urgency.

“At Orleans Primary child safety is our number one priority, there is a culture of keeping children safe, and safeguarding policies and procedures are rigorously enforced. 

“This is also the minimum expectation we require from any of our contractors or support organisations.

“From today, we will have members of Orleans Primary staff supervising children alongside the Fit for Sport team to ensure care is at its highest standard, and we will continue to keep these protocols in place until we have a satisfactory resolution of this issue.

“We realise this report will be of concern to you as parents and carers, as it is to us and the school, and the school will be speaking to the directors of the company to understand this failure in communication and provision, and will be reviewing the contract we have with them.

“At this point, we want to stress that this was not an inspection of Orleans Primary School, and the leadership team of the school and the governors are working to ensure a positive outcome.

“As well as this, the camp should have sufficient toys and resources available for the children.”

The camp was held over half-term, from October 23 to 27, and on its website offers arts and crafts sessions, parachute games, team games and sport activities.

Prices ranged from £16.50 to £26.50 per day.

Did your child go to this camp? Contact: grainne.cuffe@london.newsquest.co.uk