A Bracknell SEND school has been slammed by education watchdog, Ofsted, after safeguarding was found to be 'ineffective'.

College Hall, located off Old Wokingham Road has been downgraded from a ‘good’ rating to ‘inadequate’ in all areas during its inspection on July 11 and July 12.

According to Ofsted inspector, Lisa Marabese, during the visit to the school found breaches in safeguarding and poor student attendance.

The report said: “Pupils do not learn well in this school. They experience an unambitious and narrowed education which does not help them build knowledge.

"Pupils are not able to work towards a broad range of qualifications which will help them in their future education and employment. Pupils’ expectations of their learning and behaviour are low. This is because there is a lack of clarity about what is expected from pupils.

“The lack of an established curriculum narrows the learning opportunities that pupils should have. There are some subjects where leaders have thought about what pupils need to know.”

Although Ofsted has clarified that all students in the school have special educational needs, they found that their needs are not provided for properly.

Inspectors said: “The school has not accurately identified what each pupil’s additional needs are. Pupils do not have support plans and staff do not check the impact of any help that pupils do get. Teachers have not received the training so do not have the knowledge to make adequate changes to activities so that all pupils can achieve well.”

It was also discovered that pupils collectively attended the school for less than half the time they should.

This means that any gaps in knowledge they have are getting wider. While leaders want pupils to attend school more often, there has not been robust action taken to improve rates of attendance in the school.

Staffing difficulties throughout the last school year has caused the referral unit to close.

Ofsted stated that this has likely made the situation worse for families who already find it difficult to encourage their child to go to school.

Despite the difficulties with staffing issues and learning techniques, inspectors witnessed that ‘staff want what's best for the pupils and are ‘well meaning’.

Marabese said: “Staff want what is best for the pupils but do not have the guidance or training to provide this. Leaders are equally well meaning and do care about the pupils. However, due to a lack support and experience, the school does not provide pupils with an acceptable quality of education.”

A new management committee has been appointed and a new interim headmaster started in September.

The News has contacted College Hall for a comment.