BULLIED pupils have felt unable to report incidents to teachers at a school downgraded from outstanding to requires improvement, an Ofsted report has said.

Wildern School in Hedge End has now been given the grading by inspectors after a two-day visit.

Inspectors found "boisterous and disrespectful" youngsters have left their classmates feeling anxious.

Some youngsters have not reported bullying to teachers at the Wildern Lane school as they fear it will not be dealt with, inspectors said.

The report also said pupils raised concerns about "discriminatory language becoming normalised among groups of their peers".

When incidents are reported teachers act "quickly and effectively," the report added.

School leaders have said the Covid pandemic has led to youngsters' unruly behaviour.

The report said: "Many pupils think bullying is a problem in the school and is not dealt with effectively by leaders.

"As a result, not all come forward and report bullying when it happens."

Inspectors noted the school leadership team has started taking measures to address attitude issues at the school.

Inspectors also noted that some children in the school are not "prepared for life in Britain".

Around 2,000 attend the community school across Year 7 to 11.

A letter sent to parents said: "Given the challenges all schools have faced during Covid, we know that behaviour outside the classroom has certainly been more challenging this year with some students struggling to adapt back into school routines, struggling to engage positively with their peers in a way we had always experienced prior to the pandemic, and struggling to follow instructions from staff.

"Whilst we have put many measures in place, we clearly need o see these more embedded within school and are confident that we can achieve this with the support of our students and parents."

Inspectors found that behaviour and attitudes and personal development both require improvement.

The quality of education, and leadership and management, were rated as good.

Inspectors said some pupils do not have an understanding of issues such as diversity or harmful sexual behaviours.

The report said the majority of pupils are highly motivated and focus well during lessons.

Teachers have high expectations for what they want each pupil to know and remember, and understand the needs of their pupils well and adapt learning when appropriate.

Leaders have recently introduced new ways of checking what pupils have learned and students benefit from access to a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

The letter to parents added school bosses are delighted the quality of education was identified positively, and said students achieve well at the school.

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