A BRADFORD school where pupils have "unruly behaviour" and smoking takes place in the play area has been rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted.

Training and Skills Centre (TSC), in Accent Business Centre on Barkerend Road, received the worst rating in all four categories when inspectors visited between November 23-25.

The headteacher feels the result is "unfair" with "nothing changing" at the school, for 14-16-year-olds, since their last report back in June 2018 which was 'good'.

The report says pupils use "inappropriate language" and there are "frequent confrontations" between them and staff.

A negative atmosphere has "become the norm" and is accepted by staff and leaders.

No qualified teachers are presently working at the school - which has 14 pupils on the roll.

The quality of education that pupils receive is "poor".

Some pupils are not fluent readers and are not getting the help they need, including support with phonics.

The report adds: "Pupils are reading Roald Dahl’s ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’ in class. This book is recommended for much younger pupils".

Situated on the ground floor of a building for commercial offices, toilets in the school are shared with adults who work in the offices on the floors above.

The report says: "There are no separate toilet facilities for pupils’ sole use in the school, the water in the toilets is scalding hot and the first-aid room is unsuitable.

"The play area is shared with staff from the offices that occupy the first and second floor of the building. Sometimes, office staff smoke in the play area."

The centre says the previous headteacher passed away last April, leading to sudden changes and a new head being put in place.

Although directors had identified areas for improvement, the pace of implementing these changes has been "too slow".

Many aspects of the school are "weak" and need to be developed further with urgency.

During the visit, leaders were not able to provide evidence to inspectors that all staff had undergone a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Headteacher Savannah Bell said: "Sadly, the previous headteacher of training and skills passed away last April 2022 – sudden changes meant a new head had to be appointed as soon as possible to ensure pupils and staff are safeguarded and education is still being delivered.

"Myself as the current headteacher was completely new to this role in April 2022 and have spent the past year learning the ins and outs of running an independent school.

"While Ofsted still have a job to do, TSC feels they should have been given more time before the inspection, to make sure the independent school standards were correct and up to date as a new headteacher was appointed just a few months before the inspection took place.

"As it was my first time dealing with Ofsted, I feel they hold a 'tick box' culture of met and unmet with no room in between, yet we are told and guided to educate pupils and ourselves, to think and work outside the box. 

"TSC feels Ofsted have not given a fair rating of the inspection. Previous standards passed in the last inspection, which was rated “good”, have not passed this time, even though nothing has changed.

"Findings in the report were challenged by TSC but were not considered in the overall report."

She added: "I am very proud of our school, the staff and all the pupils that come through our doors.

"In fact, the end of the last academic year saw the highest past rate of pupils in their year 11 Maths and English exams. Pupils then went on to further education at college and are still there to this day.

"I do not believe our school is 'Inadequate'.

"TSC plays a massive part in our young people’s lives and we recognise and challenge the issues young people face.

"TSC has spent countless hours making significant changes since the inspection took place in November 2022 to ensure the school standards are correct and in place.

"Parents and pupils are happy with TSC. Pupils have been questioned on numerous occasions and have said they feel safe and valued.

"All pupils are dual registered and our partner schools are happy that TSC supports, nurtures and educates pupils the way we do."