A SCHOOL has been branded “inadequate” at every level by Ofsted inspectors who found bullying, prejudice and inappropriate segregation of boys and girls.

The scathing report revealed that some children at Southchurch High School in Southend were “inappropriately separated by sex”, with inspectors branding it “indirect discrimination”.

The report – the first since the school was rebranded in 2018 – was issued to parents this week, months after the inspection took place.

In their report, the inspection team led by Her Majesty’s inspector James Chester, said: “Year 11 pupils are being inappropriately separated by sex in some subjects. Leaders made this decision without consulting pupils.

“They chose to do so because they determined boys’ behaviour was worse than that of girls.

Although the school’s intention was to improve achievement, the impact was to take away choice from pupils by grouping them by sex rather than need.

“While a very small number of pupils have moved to a group made up of a sex other than their own, there is no realistic choice for most to do so.”

The report said the school was inadequate in its overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes and in its leadership and management.

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Inspectors said children kept fears of bullying and prejudice to themselves because they believed it would “keep on happening” and older children worried about younger siblings having no support when they left school.

Youngsters said they “did not always feel happy and safe”.

Teachers at the school, run by the Partnership Learning Trust, had “low expectations of how pupils should behave and what they should learn.”

This prevented youngsters from learning, inspectors said.

They also noted bad behaviour by children outside lessons also made children feel unsafe.

Staff were said to take a “confrontational approach” to dealing with behaviour, with negative effects on children.

Ofsted said the school, in Southchurch Boulevard, had inadequately trained teachers who did not cater to the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, because it didn’t take account of parents’ views.

Inspectors said leaders, including those from the trust, were not aware of the extent of the issues within the school.

Pupils were found to be “unprepared for life in modern Britain”. 

In response to the report, headteacher Stuart Reynolds said the report was not a true reflection of the school's strengths and said the inspection was carried out when staff absences were high due to Covid. 

He added that the concerns raised by Ofsted were being addressed. 

A full interview with Mr Reynolds will be available in tomorrow's Echo