A formerly “outstanding” girl’s Catholic school that has been hit by a series of teacher strikes has been downgraded by Ofsted.
St Ursula’s Convent school in Greenwich “requires improvement” in all areas, Ofsted said in its latest report. Previously it was rated as outstanding.
It comes as the school is involved in a dispute which has seen teachers who are members of the NEU walking out for 16 days over the past five months.
One mother of a daughter at the school said: “The school went from outstanding to requires improvement in one Ofsted report — it is shameful.”
Other parents have voiced their frustration and fear about the strikes, saying they have gone on for so long they are affecting their daughters’ mental health and academic results.
In its latest report on the 630-pupil-strong secondary school, Ofsted said: “Pupils have been affected by a challenging period and feel unsettled. Some pupils do not trust that adults will help them effectively.”
The dispute centres on the suspension of its long-standing NEU rep, named publicly as head of history Alex Turpie.
NEU members went on strike after he was suspended, demanding an independent investigation, which was granted. It is believed the NEU now wants Mr Turpie to be reinstated while the investigation takes place. The reasons for his suspension have not been made public.
Some students have missed out on three weeks of learning, which is in addition to the five days of national teacher strikes last year. One parent told the Standard: “Is one teacher’s suspension a good trade for the education of an entire school?”
The latest strikes took place last week, when the school was forced to partially close for three days. Parents were told: “The school will continue to seek to engage with the union with the aim of averting further strike action.”
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Ofsted said the school offers an “ambitious curriculum” but that children with special educational needs sometimes do not get the help they require.
St Ursulas’s said: “The school will work tirelessly to make the necessary improvements and show Ofsted how much our pupils are thriving.”
