As a response to the events surrounding recorded discussions between a teacher and pupils around issues of gender and equality after a life education lesson at Rye College last month, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, requested an urgent Ofsted inspection of the school. This took place on June 29 and the focus of the inspection was on relationship, sex and health education (RHSE) and the effectiveness of the leadership and management.
Inspectors met with the headteacher, other school leaders, the CEO and members of the trust board of the Aquinas Church of England Trust, the academy advisory council and representatives of the local authority. In addition, they talked to staff, parents and students, reviewed the curriculum and policies and observed pupils in lessons and other times in the school day.
On the basis of the evidence, the inspectors found that there were no serious concerns raised by this inspection. The full findings can be found on the Ofsted website and here.
A spokesperson for Rye College said:
"Following Ofsted's inspection of the school on June 29, which focused specifically on the personal development of students and the effectiveness of leadership and management, we are very pleased the inspectors found that ‘leaders have created a culture of kindness and mutual support’ where 'teachers have good subject knowledge and very largely promote debate and manage pupils’ discussions well.
"The inspectors also confirmed that the school’s relationship, sex and health education curriculum (RSHE) meets statutory requirements, providing students opportunities to ‘tackle a wide range of issues in a thoughtful, well-informed, articulate way’ and allowing them to ‘debate contentious subjects'.
"We welcomed Ofsted's visit, as we were confident in what they would find and in the conclusions they would reach. We are pleased that the letter clearly states that the event that led to the inspection ‘[does] not reflect pupils’ normal experience at school’. We remain committed to offering our community an inclusive education, in line with best practice that prepares our young people for the world in which we live.
"As an organisation, we seek to improve by continuously reviewing our actions and will enhance our current practice, including all classroom-based staff receiving further training to support them in managing complex and contentious discussions within a classroom setting and on protected characteristics status. Additionally, when the Department for Education provides further guidance to schools on the teaching of gender identity, the college will, of course, implement it and train staff appropriately, as is always the case."
