Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Connor Teale & Laura Sharman

Gran's rage at school where 'kids sexually harass each other and racism is norm'

A grandmother is raging over the state of her grandson's school where pupils 'sexually harass each other' and racism is the norm.

Geraldine Douglas has called on leaders at The Brooksbank School in West Yorkshire to take responsibility after a damning Ofsted report deemed it "not safe" for students.

Inspectors rated the secondary school as "inadequate" following a visit in February, reports Yorkshire Live.

Racism, sexual harassment, homophobia, bullying and violence were all reportedly rife at the school and included in a long list of failings.

But Geraldine said she was "not surprised" by the findings as problems have been reported by parents on a Facebook group.

Her daughter, who did not wish to be named, said the report has made her feel as though she "made the wrong choice" by sending her son to the school.

She added: "Although it was a damning report I am really not surprised given the stories I have heard from both parents and my son himself.

"My daughter is also due to start there in September but, after looking at the 'culture of sexual harassment' comments, I am really concerned for her welfare."

The Brooksbank School, Elland, West Yorkshire (Google)

Ofsted found sexual harassment to be "distressingly common" at the school in Elland and said many pupils regularly experience inappropriate comments.

"There have been a number of instances of inappropriate touching and assault," the report continues.

"Some pupils also experience shocking threats of sexual violence. Leaders are not doing enough to protect pupils from these experiences or reduce the risk to pupils."

Inspectors also found students are "discriminated against because of their race and religion" claiming that children "regularly hear racist language."

Ofsted added that homophobia is also rife throughout the school.

"Pupils are also targeted because of their sexual orientation. Pupils hear discriminatory language, such as homophobic language, every day," it continued.

Bullying and violence during social times were also noted as major problems.

In response, the school says it has worked "rapidly" to implement "sustainable" changes since Ofsted's visit in February.

"I was not surprised. I would have said it was a safe place a couple of years ago," Geraldine said.

"They need to take responsibility. They need to have an open discussion where people can speak and they can show people the way forward. They need to hold their hands up."

Her daughter added: "My closest friend has a son in Year 8 and her views were the same as mine, shocked but not surprised. I regret sending my children there.

"I am afraid I made the wrong choice, unless the school seriously fixes up and fast. Lots of parents are sick of the school and the Ofsted report was just a reflection of the worries they have."

The Brooksbank School shared a statement explaining that the Education Exchange was contacted for support on February 24.

It continued: "The Education Exchange is a group of like-minded trusts and friends who are dedicated to improving education in the north of England.

"The work is without cost and based on professional generosity and friendship. At 8am on February 28, a team of six arrived to work in the school. They included one CEO, two executive principals, a director of safeguarding and inclusion, and an associate executive principal. All are experts in education.

"On Wednesday they were joined by colleagues from across the region and there were 26 specialists in the school from six academy trusts. This enormous capacity allowed the team to work rapidly to train staff and bring about a rapid transformation. New safeguarding processes, supervision, behaviour policies, school day structure and specialist catch-up intervention classes were all put in place. This meant that children were safe.

"A series of meetings were held with parents to explain the changes which were greeted with support. Dave Hewitt is an experienced executive principal who leads one of the highest performing schools in Kirklees. He has been executive principal and has led Brooksbank since February 28. We are confident that the changes are sustainable and embedded and that the school is now flourishing."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.