School makes 'robust' response after inspectors rule it 'inadequate' over 'racist, homophobic and sexual harassment' pupil behaviour
A large secondary school in Shrewsbury has responded "strongly" after being rated inadequate by Ofsted inspectors, who found a "significant minority" of pupils misbehave in lessons.
Pupils at Meole Brace School told inspectors when they visited over two days in May this year that incidents of racist comments, homophobic behaviour and sexual harassment were commonplace.
The inspection report, released this week, said that pupils do not report issues because they don't believe any action will come of it.
This means that "too many pupils, and in particular girls, do not feel safe in school", the report says.
Meole Brace School is in dispute with Ofsted over the report.
Alan Doust, the school's headteacher, said: "It is not so much that we disagreed with some of the things they said, it is more that we think Ofsted failed to balance the things they found out in a proportionate way, or to take a wide enough sample and perspective.”
It is the first time that the school, with 1,342 pupils on the roll, has been inspected by Ofsted.
The report contains some praise for the school's leaders and for safeguarding but the overwhelming part of the report contains criticism.
The quality of education is rated as "requires improvement".
Lead inspector Alexander Laney, led a team of four other inspectors for the full inspection.
The report reads: "Too many pupils do not have a positive experience at Meole Brace School.
"A significant minority of pupils misbehave in lessons. This disrupts the learning of others.
"Where this happens, staff do not deal with this consistently well.
