A SCHOOL where children worry about "bullying, racism and sexual harassment" has been slammed by the education watchdog.

Applemore College, a secondary school in Dibden Purlieu, has been rated as 'requires improvement' by Ofsted.

The school in Roman Road has dropped from a 'good' to 'requires improvement' rating following a report published at the end of September.

Only one category - the quality of education - was rated as 'good'.

READ MORE: Bullying and discrimination left children feeling 'unsafe' as school loses 'outstanding' title

The other three - behaviours and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management - were rated as 'requires improvement'.

Inspectors found that students were concerned about bullying and sexual harassment, despite "recent improvements in pupils’ behaviour overall".

The report highlighted that a minority of students used "unkind, racist, homophobic or sexualised language towards each other".

The report said: "In some cases, this had become normalised and pupils did not recognise the negative impact that it has on others.

READ MORE: The 11 Southampton schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted

"Leaders had rightly identified that there is work to do and they are in the process of providing additional training for all staff."

Students told inspectors, during visits on July 12 and 13, that they had a "lack of confidence" in their teachers and leaders to make sure that bullying did not continue.

Although most children felt comfortable in school, of around 620 pupils, some felt less comfortable during lunchtime and breaks.

Despite this, inspectors said that the behaviour and attitudes of students during breaks has since improved.

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They said that "determined work from leaders" has reduced the number of physical incidents between pupils, including fighting and rough play.

Inspectors also noted that some children "did not attend school regularly enough".

They found that a "significant proportion" were disadvantaged or pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

Inspectors said that although governors and senior leaders have a clear and shared understanding of the school’s priorities, they have not addressed these matters with "enough urgency".

The report says that students enjoyed their lessons as well as opportunities to learn outside of the classroom, and appreciated the fact that their teachers know them well.

Headteacher Alan Chipping said in a letter to parents: "First of all, I would like to say that the school staff, the Governors and I have listened to Ofsted very carefully and agree with some of the points they have made. We will continue to address these concerns which, as the report notes, we are already doing.

"As you know the inspectors visited the school during our enrichment weeks. Year 10 was on work experience; Year 11 had left. On both days various trips took place and this reduced the number of students Ofsted could speak to.

"I am really pleased with many comments made in the report.

"As a school, it is great to know that our quality of education was judged as good especially as we moved from a three-year Key Stage 4 to three-year Key Stage 3 last year."

He added that school attendance is now in line with national guidance and that it will "continue to work with that small minority of students whose behaviour is impacting upon the whole school community".

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