THREE Bradford schools have appeared on a list of Ofsted's worst-performing schools.

Schools are graded under four categories, outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate.

According to a national newspaper, as of May 3, there were 63 secondary schools in England which were rated as inadequate - the lowest score from the education watchdog.

The three schools in the Bradford district are Hanson School, on Swain House Road, Bradford Girls' Grammar School, on Squire Lane, and Holy Family Catholic School, on Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley.

When Hanson School was visited by Ofsted on March 4, 2020, it was rated inadequate for behaviours and attitude and leadership and management. Ofsted also gave the school a serious weakness designation.

At the time, inspectors raised concerns about the number of pupils with poor attendance and high levels of exclusions.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Hanson School, on Swain House Road, BradfordHanson School, on Swain House Road, Bradford

After inspectors visited on July 14 and 15, 2021, the overall assessment of the monitoring visit was that leaders, and those responsible for governance, were taking effective action toward the removal of the serious weaknesses designation.

Following an Ofsted visit to Bradford Girls' Grammar School in Girlington on March 14, 2019, concerns were raised by inspectors over safeguarding, the handling of complaints and post-16 teaching.

Inspectors reported there were significant weaknesses in the culture of safeguarding in the school.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Girls' Grammar School, on Squires Lane, Bradford. Picture: Google Street ViewBradford Girls' Grammar School, on Squires Lane, Bradford. Picture: Google Street View

After a more recent visit to the school on July 6 and 7, 2021, inspectors reported the school was taking effective action towards the removal of the serious weaknesses designation.

After it had received a requires improvement designation in May 2019, a visit by Ofsted inspectors last year saw Holy Family Catholic School dropped to inadequate due to behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management.

Following a visit to Holy Family on July 20 and 21, 2021, Ofsted inspectors found that pupil behaviour was at times, dangerous and had directly resulted in injuries to staff and pupils.

The school has confirmed that it was subject to an Ofsted monitoring visit on March 23, 2022, and is currently awaiting publication of the final feedback from that.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Holy Family Catholic School, in Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley. Pic: Google Street ViewHoly Family Catholic School, in Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley. Pic: Google Street View

The news about the list of 63 inadequate schools comes as unsafe and illegal schools can be shut down under new Government powers, the Department for Education announced.

Under the new powers, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi would be able to suspend registration of an independent school where there were “serious safeguarding failings which pose a risk of harm to students”.

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