School governors have put an action plan in place after a St Albans School received an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating.

Herts Advertiser: Verulam SchoolVerulam School (Image: Archant)

Verulam School in Brampton Road received the report after an Ofsted inspection on October 11 and 12 last year.

The school was rated inadequate for its effectiveness of leadership and management and for personal development, behaviour and welfare.

According to the report: “Pupils report that they do not feel safe in the school and bullying is commonplace. Pupils often make derogatory and homophobic comments to each other and about teachers.”

Inspectors found that the school does not to enough promote tolerance of others, and that the curriculum for the pupil’s personal, social and emotional development is ineffective. They reported that pupils do not conduct themselves well around the school, frequently ‘shouting out’ and not listening to teachers.

The report also stated that the school did not make adequate arrangements for the safeguarding of pupils, as staff do not make sure pupils are safe travelling to and from school.

Despite being rated inadequate overall, Verulam received a ‘good’ rating in three out of the five categories; for its Sixth Form, teaching and learning, and outcomes for students.

The school was praised for its high GCSE results, improvement of outcomes for disadvantaged pupils, high attendance rate and achievement at Key Stage 4.

According to a statement from the school, the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Governors have taken immediate action to address the report’s findings, and changes are already underway as part of a comprehensive action plan.

Chair of Governors Richard Kennedy said: “Overall, the report’s findings are disappointing, but we have a framework to build upon much of the excellent work and good practice being carried out by staff and students.

“We are confident that Ofsted will welcome the changes we have made and will reinstate our overall good rating when they return to the school.

“Importantly, teaching and learning, the Sixth Form and outcomes for students all remain good.”

The school will receive a monitoring visit from inspectors in three months’ time.