Parents and carers are rallying behind a Carshalton secondary school after it was slammed by inspectors in a damning new report.

Stanley Park High School, in Damson Way, has been heavily criticised by Ofsted in several areas – including pupils’ performance in recent years.

Inspectors have judged it to be “inadequate” as the latest performance report was shared by the school in advance of its publication this week (April 4).

It reads: “The leadership and management of teaching have, until recently, been poor. Teachers have not been held to account or supported well enough.

“Many pupils have underachieved in the last two years. Pupils’ progress by the end of Key Stage 4 has been significantly below average across and within subjects. This includes English, mathematics and science.

“The quality of teaching is too variable. Assessment practice across the school is too inconsistent. As a result, leaders do not have a secure understanding of how well pupils achieve across the curriculum.

“Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is inadequate. This includes the specialist provisions for pupils with autism spectrum disorder.”

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Stanley Park High. Photo: Google Maps / Street View

Despite this, Ofsted believe Stanley Park High’s new headteacher Amit Amin has developed an “accurate understanding of the school’s weaknesses” since being appointed last September.

Inspectors say he has “made it clear that things need to change and, with calm authority, has begun to raise staff and pupils’ expectations”.

Since then this has “resulted in an improvement in behaviour”, the report adds.

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But some parents and carers at Stanley Park High have defended the school, saying their children are happy to be pupils there.

One person commented: “Having worked in schools for years and been through many Ofsted inspections, I would not panic.

“Ofsted are notoriously rigid and a bit behind the times, to be honest. They do not embrace what SPH is about. They would not have won the TES High School of the Year award [in 2016] if this was not the case.

“Like in most areas of life we all need a good kick up the arse from time to time and this is SPH’s, so all good in my opinion.”

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Another person wrote: “[Stanley Park High] is a creative and truly inclusive school. I hope the whole SPH community gets the support needed and deserved at this time.”

Stanley Park High’s chair of governors and Belmont councillor Jane Pascoe said the school is “very disappointed” with its Ofsted inspection.

She stressed that inspectors recognised the groundwork required to make necessary “is already in place”, particularly following the appointment of Mr Amin.

Cllr Pascoe added: “The school has long been highly regarded for putting the interests of our students at the heart of decisions, and we remain absolutely committed to ensuring that the children in our care receive the best possible education at Stanley Park High.

“Whilst we have been identified as having ‘serious weaknesses’, Ofsted has not categorised us as requiring ‘special measures’.

“This significant measurement means that Ofsted is confident that the current leadership and governance of Stanley Park High are a strength.

“The governing body and leadership of the school are absolutely committed to addressing the issues outlined in the report and to make swift and effective improvements.”

Stanley Park High say the full report will be published after the upcoming Easter break.