School downgraded from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’ for adopting Islamophobia

An academy school which has been mired in controversy over its safeguarding practices has been downgraded by Ofsted from its previous rating of “outstanding” to “inadequate”.

In May, Holland Park School in Kensington was found to have a “culture of fear and favouritism” in an investigation by its governors.

The investigation found there was discrimination in the school against protected characteristics, including overt sexism, Islamophobia, and racism.

It said that “very little support” was provided to students following traumatic events such as the Grenfell tragedy, and that “public humiliation” or shouting was used as a behaviour policy.