A school in Crumpsall has hit out against the results of an Ofsted inspection which has labelled it inadequate and has been placed into special measures just six years after being rated outstanding
The King David High School which educated around 800 pupils have two separate streams – Yavneh Girls and Yavneh Boys, which offer modern Jewish orthodox education at secondary school level
Inspectors found that girls in the Yavneh stream were being discriminated against
“ The pupils who attend Yavneh Girls are separated from all other pupils at the school throughout the school day, including during breaks and at lunchtime. The pupils who attend Yavneh Girls do not have the same access to extra-curricular activities as the pupils who attend Yavneh Boys and the main school. Yavneh Girls are unable to socialise with their peers outside of their unit.”
Inspectors say that “ This constitutes a detriment to those pupils due to their sex. Leaders and governors must act to fulfil their duties under the Equality Act 2010 by ensuring that they do not discriminate against pupils in the Yavneh Girls on the ground of sex.”
However in a statement the school says that
“We strongly believe that this report does not give a fair and balanced picture of the school. From the very first morning of the inspection, the message from both staff and pupils was that inspectors appeared to be determined to find fault rather than to conduct an impartial inspection.”
They add that the report presents a picture of the school which is unrecognisable to those who know it and bears no resemblance whatsoever to the well-ordered and well-run, high achieving and caring school “which is rated as the best comprehensive in the North West and the 7th best non-selective school in the country and one which has consistently maintained its position at the very top of the league tables, for many years now.”
Inspectors found that, over time, there have been widespread failures in how leaders protect pupils from harm.
“Consequently, too many pupils and their parents have little confidence in how well leaders manage safeguarding and welfare concerns.”
They also said that some pupils said that staff have unrealistic expectations of what they can achieve academically.
“These pupils said that this places them under a great deal of pressure. It has a detrimental impact on their mental health and well-being.”
The school in reply said that it was perfectly legitimate for Ofsted to highlight areas which require improvement.
“We welcome constructive criticism but their sweeping negative statements and their massive downgrade are way beyond the mark and border on the absurd.”
