St Stephen’s (Kearsley Moor) CE Primary School criticised by Ofsted for children not understanding impact of homophobia

St Stephen’s (Kearsley Moor) CE Primary School's results are above average despite children’s starting points — where often the majority start without the knowledge and skills typical for their age.

But the school has been criticised by Ofsted inspectors because pupils do not have a good enough understanding of diversity or the impact of prejudice-based behaviour, particularly homophobic behaviour.

The government’s education watchdog ruled that personal development, behaviour and welfare still need improving. All the other areas of the school were marked good, improving on the previous full inspection when it was said to “require improvement”.

Ofsted inspectors reported following a recent visit: “Pupils have some awareness of different types of families and relationships, but their understanding of this type of diversity is weak compared to other aspects.

“Pupils know that homophobic behaviour, such as name-calling, is wrong.

“However, their understanding of why it is wrong, and the impact it can have on people’s lives and mental health, is much weaker than for other prejudiced behaviours, such as those relating to race, physical appearance, special needs or disability.

“Consequently, the well-being of pupils who might, for whatever reason, be on the receiving end of homophobic comments, is more vulnerable than it should be.”

In the last full inspection the issue was not brought up by Ofsted. The majority of children said that teachers are good with dealing with bullying when it happens.

Ofsted found that the majority of pupils enjoy school and that teachers listen to their views, adding that pupils said that they would be able to “share any worries or concerns with a member of staff.

Behaviour of the children was described as good with children having good manners, are punctual and their attendance was above average.

Inspectors said: “From their starting points, pupils make good progress. By the time they leave year six their attainment is above average in mathematics and writing and significantly above in reading. Good teaching ensures that pupils make good gains in their learning and develop positive attitudes to school.”

Head teacher Tony Lasan said: “It is a very pleasing report which recognises the many positives in the school.

“The report states that behaviour is good, but that one particular aspect of personal development, behaviour and welfare — children’s knowledge about homophobia — is not as good as other areas of diversity such as race, religion and disability.

“St Stephen’s CE Primary School is a good school which is recognised by Ofsted and, as is usual, Ofsted has made recommendations for further improvement.

“We will be taking those on board and addressing them.

“We will review our PSHE programme to improve children’s understanding of all aspects of diversity to enhance the quality of this area of the curriculum.”

He added: “We are taking best practice from other schools including appropriate resource materials which will be incorporated into our existing PSHE curriculum.”

Secretary of Bolton National Union of Teachers (NUT) Julia Simpkins said:”I applaud Ofsted for taking the issue of homophobia and different types of relationships seriously.

“Children’s understanding of these issues is important, especially as the vote in the referendum has left some members of our society feeling more vulnerable than they were before.

“Our members have the highest regard for equality and promoting it.

“But what teachers find difficult is to know how to broach these issues in an age appropriate way.

“Teachers are also worried if they openly teach about sex education and different types of relationships that parents will complain.”

Ms Simpkins said the local branch of her union organised training sessions for their members on how to address the issues in an age-appropriate way and members supported the Pride movement and festivals, but parents also needed to play a role in their child’s understanding of issues.

She said: “I heard one parent say to his child ‘I don’t know what schools are teaching’ because he could not tie his shoelaces.

“It seems that teachers are now responsible for everything to do with a child’s upbringing and understanding and all responsibility has been abdicated to them.”

She added that schools were being unfairly penalised by the government constantly moving the goalposts without the proper guidance or infrastructure in place.

Ms Simpkins said: “There was a time when we were banned from talking to children about different relationships.

“The government changes the goalposts so often that schools are not prepared and there is no time for training.

She added: “It is worrying that given Nicky Morgan’s recent announcement that schools would not be forced to become academies, will they look at this issue when Ofsted cannot find anything wrong with the school to put it into a category which would then lead to it having to become an academy.”

An Ofsted spokesperson said: “We are pleased that inspectors found that this school has improved and is now good. It is important that children understand that all types of bullying are wrong, and the impact this can have. Our inspectors have all worked as teachers, and know how to talk to children in a way that is appropriate to their age.”

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