Christian faith school once graded 'best-performing' now placed in special measures by Ofsted inspectors because it does not promote British values, Daily Mail

Grindon Hall Christian School.

A Christian school that was once rated the best-performing state school in Sunderland has been placed in special measures because it does not promote British values.

The headmaster of Grindon Hall Christian School said the critical inspection by Ofsted, which was published on the school's website today, came as a 'huge shock' to staff, parents and pupils.

It comes a week after it emerged the school made a formal complaint over an 'intrusive' inspection conducted in the wake of the Trojan Horse controversy over Islamist attempts to infiltrate schools. 

Inspectors were said to have asked pupils a number of inappropriate inspections during the visit in November, including quizzing them over what lesbians 'did'.

They are also said to have questioned pupils about transsexuality and asked if any of their friends felt trapped in the 'wrong body'.   

Ofsted will publish the report in the coming days, but it has been sent to the school and uploaded to their website.

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Further Reading

Ofsted tells best performing school ‘You’re the worst’ Christian Institute Report

Christian school put in special measures over homophobic bullying, Premier

“A Christian school which recently criticised the education watchdog for letting inspectors ask pupils if they knew 'what lesbians did', has been put into special measures for failing to challenge homophobic bullying.

The Ofsted report also says pupils at Grindon Hall in Sunderland aren't being taught how to develop appropriate levels of respect or tolerance for those from other faiths, cultures or communities.

"Prejudice-based bullying, while reported on, is not tackled effectively enough. Discrimination through racist or homophobic language persists," said the report.

"Leaders have not instigated a review of the curriculum to ensure it takes account of pupils' lack of awareness about e-safety and aspects of sex and relationships education," it added.

The report also detailed "derogatory language relating to race or sexual orientation persists" because, it said, the curriculum failed to teach pupils about equality, diversity and the need to be tolerant and respectful towards those who are different to themselves.”

Shut down, Christian school under attack because pupil did not know what a Muslim was: Inspectors brand it educational failure, Daily Mail Story.

Pupils at a Christian school have been branded bigots after a young boy gave the wrong answer when asked what a Muslim was.

Durham Free has been told to close after inspectors branded it an educational failure and said some children displayed ‘discriminatory views’ toward people of other faiths. The boy’s answer to the Muslim question apparently included a reference to terrorism.

But teachers said the verdict was grossly unfair and based on a throwaway and ignorant comment made by a single pupil. They said the school’s Christian ethos made it an easy target for officials who wanted to show they were promoting the Government’s diversity agenda.

A second Christian school in the area has been put into special measures. Inspectors also concluded its children were intolerant after allegedly asking ten-year-old pupils what lesbians ‘did’.

Teachers at Grindon Hall Christian School in Sunderland said the critical Ofsted report came as a shock because it was performing well. 

There are claims that some schools – mainly those with a religious ethos or in areas with few ethnic minority pupils – have been put under undue pressure by a requirement to promote British values such as tolerance, fairness, respect for other faiths and the rule of law and democracy.

These two cases highlight important issues about how Ofsted are interpreting the guidance they have been given.’

Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute said: ‘The Government’s British values regime is twisting Ofsted’s priorities out of all proportion. Inspectors are asking all kinds of invasive questions and then issuing reports that the parents whose children attend the school don’t recognise.’

Durham Free School, which has 94 pupils aged 11 to 13, was praised by then education secretary Michael Gove after it opened in September 2013. But when it was inspected in November, Ofsted failed it on a wide range of factors including poor teaching, attainment and behaviour. ‘Standards are low and progress is inadequate,’ inspectors said. ‘Students’ achievement is weak.’

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Further reading:

Christian school facing closure

“A Christian free school in County Durham has been ordered to close down, after a watchdog said it found bad behaviour, prejudice towards non-Christians, bullying, and the recruitment of staff for their faith rather than their ability. 

Durham Free School opened in September 2013. Free schools receive their funding directly from central government, rather than their Local Authority. As such, they are not under Local Authority control. Free schools are governed by charities or other non-profit groups.

The Education Funding Agency, which allocates money for schools, also said it has "serious concerns about financial management, control and governance" at Durham Free School.” Premier Radio