ONE of the country's leading grammar schools was downgraded by Ofsted after inspectors found parts of the facility have become "a hostile environment" for pupils.

Colchester Royal Grammar School has a prestigious academic reputation - with more students getting into Oxford or Cambridge universities than any other grammar school in the UK.

However, the school was recently inspected by Ofsted following scathing criticism from a former student Scarlett Mansfield who accused the school of having a "toxic male culture".

She sent about 200 sexual abuse allegations to the education watchdog written by current and former students.

Ofsted subsequently carried out an inspection of the school in June and released its findings in a damning report earlier this week where it downgraded the school to "inadequate".

Prior to this, the school had not undergone a full Ofsted inspection since 2007 when it was rated outstanding.

Here are Ofsted's findings following the inspection:

 

A significant number of pupils feel unsafe in school

It found many pupils feel uncomfortable or unsafe in the school and report being the subject of insulting and damaging comments regarding their gender, appearance, race or sexual orientation.

It added: "Pupils are too often reluctant to pass their concerns on to staff.

"Systems for dealing with safeguarding matters do not work properly.

"Consequently, leaders are largely unaware of the difficulties some pupils face."

 

Parts of the school have become a "hostile environment"

The report said leaders have failed to recognise or address a pervading culture in the school which does not promote equality and respect.

Leaders have not considered carefully how girls in the sixth form will be integrated into the school and what challenges they might face.

This is the first point at which girls are admitted to the school.

It stated the school does not prepare boys well enough for this and that leaders have not ensured boys understand how to interact appropriately with girls.

"Consequently, some boys are rude about girls, judge them by their appearance and make inappropriate remarks," it added.

"Parts of the school have become a hostile environment for some pupils.

"While many pupils enjoy being at the school, many also feel people are treated badly because of their protected characteristics, such as their gender, race or sexual orientation."

 

Pupils are too fearful to report problems

Many pupils, of both sexes, dislike and disapprove of the negative culture, inspectors said.

However, they often do not report their concerns or experiences.

The report said: There are several reasons for this.

"Pupils lack confidence in the skills of adults to deal with their concerns well.

"Pupils are worried that they might be picked on by other pupils as a result.

"Some pupils feel the problem should be tackled as a cultural issue, not as individual incidents of poor behaviour."

 

The arrangements for safeguarding are "not effective"

The report said some pupils do not feel safe in school because of a culture which allows them to be victimised for being themselves.

Too many pupils would not share their concerns with an adult in school.

It added: "When issues are reported to adults, they are not recorded properly."

 

"Pupils are not prepared for life in modern Britain"

The school does not prepare pupils well enough for life in modern Britain, the report stated.

It said: "Some pupils do not know how to behave around others.

"Some pupils treat others badly because of their protected characteristics.

"Leaders need to ensure all pupils learn how to interact well with people different from themselves and value each other equally."

 

Leaders need to make pupils feel confident on passing their concerns to adults

The report said pupils are too reluctant to report behaviours which upset or worry them.

"Leaders do not know the extent to which a negative culture has become prevalent among some pupils, it said.

"Leaders need to make sure pupils feel confident in passing on their concerns to adults in school."

 

The education standard remains high

The report stated: "Most of the academic education pupils receive is of a very high standard.

"Leaders make sure pupils have access to a broad and exciting curriculum."

 

How has the school responded to the report?

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

He said: “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."

 

Are other outstanding rated schools being inspected?

There are more than 70 schools across Essex which are currently rated as outstanding.

Legislation, which came into place in 2012, gave outstanding schools exemption from being inspected by Ofsted to give them "more freedom".

However, the education watchdog has now confirmed all of the county's outstanding schools will be reviewed over the next five years as many have not been inspected in years.