Expansion of Orthodox school rated ‘inadequate’ breaches rules, says Ofsted

In summer 2013, when it was ranked good by inspectors, the school had only 103 girls on its books.

But after a serious of critical reports, it has now been downgraded to inadequate, despite the teaching of secular studies and educational outcomes for pupils being considered good.

Ofsted commented: “While pupils understand the importance of tolerance and respect for others in principle, they do not have any real understanding of other faiths or the full range of differences found in modern Britain. This, together with pupils’ limited contributions to the wider community and understanding of how to safe online, means that they not prepared well enough for life in modern Britain.”

Although they learned about democracy through visits to the Houses of Parliament for example, there were “very few opportunities to broaden pupils’ minds through mixing or contributing to society beyond their school or faith communities”.

Pupils lacked sufficient understanding of people with “different characteristics”. Guidelines for independent schools refer to groups protected under equality law such as those of same-sex orientation or transgender status.

Pupils worked hard, were polite and courteous and reached a good development on leaving reception class, Ofsted said.

But the school lacked an “overarching policy” for its curriculum and schemes for PE and art lacked depth.