Damning Ofsted report brands Homewood College, Brighton, 'unsafe'

Homewood College in Brighton has been rated "inadequate" by Ofsted as it goes into special measures.

The school in Queensdown School Road, teaches pupils aged five to 19 who have social, emotional and mental health needs.

Inspectors from the official education watchdog visited the school in December.

Lead inspector Aimee Floyd published the damning report on February 4.

It highlighted a number of areas, stating: "Pupils, whether attending school regularly or not, are not safe. Immediate action must be taken to ensure that pupils and staff are safe in school and that all pupils are seen or heard regularly."

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This is due to the staff themselves being unsure, the report said.

Ms Floyd attributes the regular change in leadership as a cause of staff not having the skills to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

This in turn leads to "poor and, at times, unsafe" behaviour including offensive language and lack of respect for each other and staff.

While some support is offered through tutoring and alternative provision, leaders are unclear if this is meeting the needs of pupils, Ms Floyd said.

A main concern for inspectors was the safeguarding, which is said to not be effective.

Ms Floyd said: "Regular incidents of unsafe behaviour and infrequent attendance means that pupils are constantly at risk of harm."

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Inspectors found: "Pupils do not achieve well because the curriculum is not carefully planned.

"Pupils’ education, health and care plans (EHC) are not sufficiently taken into account."

Leaders have not taken swift enough action to address both the school’s poor curriculum and the very high rates of absence.

While staff do attempt to understand the very specific needs related to pupils’ social, emotional and mental health (SEMH).

However, staff have not been provided with appropriate training or support for curriculum planning that ensures each pupil can learn.

Inspectors raised areas that need improvement, including: a more stable staff structure, improving pupil safety and the introduction of a behaviour policy.

The report adds: "Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that this school requires special measures because it is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education."