A FORMER Colchester Royal Grammar School student says the school should apologise following a damning Ofsted inspection report.

Scarlett Mansfield, who attended the school’s sixth form in 2011, accused the school of having a “toxic male culture” in a blog post in April.

Within her blog, the 26-year-old detailed the “traumatic” experiences during her studies.

The blog went viral and Scarlett received 200 abuse allegations from current and former pupils which she sent to Ofsted.

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The education watchdog inspected the school in May and has now issued a report which states “a significant number of pupils feel uncomfortable or unsafe” and report being subject to damaging comments from their peers.

Scarlett said: “It is the most damning Ofsted report people have ever seen.

“No-one thought Ofsted would published anything like this about Colchester Royal Grammar School.

“On one hand the Department of Education should have picked this up ages ago, but on the other the issue is now being recognised.

“Pupils just want the school to apologise.”

The school was last inspected nearly a decade ago when it was rated outstanding.

In response to Ofsted’s findings, Head teacher John Russell said the report was “a very difficult report to read”.

He said: "We have never shied away from the fact that we believe that there is always more that we can, and want, to do for our students.

“While we feel the strengths of the school are not fully reflected in the report, the Ofsted Framework is the measure against which all schools will be judged – and we listen to what the inspection team found, and continue to act upon that.

“Our focus has to be on driving forward improvements and building on our many strengths and successes.

“Key to this will be continuing to enhance our culture where our students show greater respect for themselves and for others, and eliminating the use of derogatory and discriminatory language.

“To support this we will further develop effective reporting systems, particularly around how students raise any concerns that they may have.

“While this is a very sad day for our school, it does not mean that we are not proud of all that our staff and students achieve.” Our students show impressive qualities, and we will continue to work with pace and purpose to support them and enhance the culture of the school.

“Going forward, there will be further discussions about what this outcome means for CRGS.

"We are working with the Department for Education and Regional Schools Commissioner to discuss the increased focus that the school will be under, and how we continue to move forward for our community.”