A Brighton school has been rated “inadequate” by the government’s education watchdog Ofsted in a critical report which is due to be published this week.
The report gave the inadequate rating – the lowest of four grades – to the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA).
Ofsted raised concerns about “bullying, racism, sexism and homophobia” as well as low-level disruption in lessons and ineffective safeguarding arrangements.
The watchdog said: “Pupils say that they do not feel safe or respected in school. Many consider bullying, racism, sexism and homophobia to be commonplace and unchallenged by leaders and staff.
“Derogatory terms are regularly used against pupils with autism spectrum disorder and those attending the school’s specialist unit.
“Homophobia has been normalised by the frequent use of offensive language. A culture of disrespect pervades.
“Behaviour in lessons is more orderly. In lessons visited by inspectors, most pupils were engaged in the activities planned by teachers.
“However, low-level disruption is commonplace. The school’s behaviour log identifies a significantly high number of pupils being removed from the classroom.
“Provision for these removed pupils is poor with little work being provided to prevent them falling further behind.
“Pupils’ behaviour is often unchallenged by teaching staff. Expectations for pupils are not high enough.”
The report follows a two-day inspection at the school, off Lewes Road, by four inspectors in early March.
It also said: “The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective. Pupils told us that they do not feel safe in the school.
“They feel that their concerns are not taken seriously by staff and that issues are not dealt with effectively. They lack confidence in the fairness of the school’s systems to resolve incidents.
“Parents do not feel that their children are safe in the school. A meeting with parents raised some serious safeguarding concerns which had not been dealt with appropriately by the school.
“The systems for reporting and recording concerns are not rigorous enough. Procedures for disclosures are not followed through. Records of pupils receiving education elsewhere are lax.”
And the report added: “Expectations of pupils’ behaviour are not high enough. Poor behaviour is not tackled rigorously. Learning is disrupted, and the policy to manage behaviour is not reducing incidents of poor behaviour.
I was assaulted and harassed by three BACA pupils at the bus stop which serves BACA on the very day that Aldridge Education’s chief academic officer Stephanie Newman took temporary charge in February. It was witnessed by the Bus Driver (who thankfully came to my aid) and also reported to the Police. Nothing was done!
I also reported it to BACA, I have had no reply.
The entire Institution is riddled with incompetence.
Just saw the opening paragraph of the ofstead report and it’s as bad as it gets. The school leadership needs fundamental change as our young people need support and guidance during these vital years to become their best and have a good start I’m life. How is it that a academy can completely fail but still stay in charge but a Council led school gets shoved off the the private sector faster than greased lightning
Excellent question Dominic. The sponsors should be stripped of the school. They’ve had it for 10 years now. Clearly it isn’t working