Bolton UCS: Damning Ofsted report says pupils feel 'unsafe'

The Ofsted report found that pupils as young as 11 years old at Bolton UCS, based on Deane Road, were regularly exposed to fights, bullying, discriminatory language and even "unwanted sexual behaviour".

Having started his new role just this week, new interim head of school Dave Terry says his "life’s work" over the next few years will be to turn the school around.

Speaking exclusively to The Bolton News Mr Terry said: “There’s no ducking it, everyone is well aware of the live issues identified in the report.

“It's incumbent on us now to start working with the stakeholders and with parents and community groups to make sure the school improves.

The inspection was carried out late last year (Image: Newsquest)

“I’m not coming into this job with any illusions, but I’m also beginning to see the fruits of that improvement process.”

He added: “There isn’t a trick, there isn’t a panacea, I don’t have a magic wand but I’m experienced at working at schools that are facing these challenges.”

Bolton USC, which is part of the Quest Trust and teaches boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 18, was visited by inspectors lead by Michael Pennington on December 7 and 8 last year.

According to their deeply critical report, many pupils from year 7 to 11 "treat other pupils and staff with contempt and disrespect."

It said: “Many pupils are used to hearing derogatory and discriminatory insults.

“They regularly see fights and violent outbursts.

“Some pupils are subjected to bullying, victimisation and other totally unacceptable experiences, such as unwanted sexual behaviour.”

It added: “Many pupils have come to accept poor behaviour as the norm.

“The experiences of some pupils mean that they do not feel happy or safe.

“Many pupils do not report their experiences to staff.

“This is because some pupils are afraid to tell staff about the behaviours of others.”

Though the inspectors accepted that sixth form students had a better relationship with each other and with teachers than younger pupils did, they still found that “they are ill-prepared for life in modern Britain".

The report was also withering in its assessment of the schools leadership, saying they "did not address the poor behaviour of pupils in key stages 3 and 4", while members of the local advisory committee "do not understand their roles and responsibilities".

Most worryingly for school leaders, the inspectors found that safeguarding arrangements were "not effective".

The report said: “A considerable number of pupils and some staff reported to inspectors that they do not feel safe in school.

“These pupils and staff are not fully confident that leaders take the necessary action to safeguard and protect them from harm.”

It added: “Some staff are not clear about what they should do when they have concerns.”

The inspectors deemed the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, sixth form provision and leadership and management all to be "inadequate" - the lowest possible rating.

Mr Terry has worked with three other challenging schools in the past and has said he has already started work with students and teachers.

When asked if he could turn the school around and earn a better Ofsted rating next time, Mr Terry unequivacally answered "yes."

Yesterday, Monday, he said: “I met the students today, they’re a delightful bunch and they deserve the very best education that we can give them.”

Responding to the report, Quest Trust chair of directors Crispin Pailng has now apologised and says he believed the new leadership team around Mr Terry will be able to turn the school’s performance around.

Mr Pailing said: “A safeguarding expert has been working at the school over the past couple of weeks, with a number of immediate changes being instituted to the school’s day-to-day procedures.

“The UCS’ website now includes updated information about safeguarding.

“These changes will ensure that all concerns around safeguarding are correctly dealt with and followed up.”

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He added: “We will continue to make improvements and closely monitor the effectiveness of our safeguarding procedure.

“With new leadership, governance, and procedures in place, I am confident that our school improvement plan will achieve the rapid and effective change necessary to ensure an environment where students and staff at Bolton University Collegiate School can prosper.”