A school currently under investigation over staff walk-outs has had its Ofsted rating downgraded.

Plashet School, in East Ham, is still rated 'good' – but was previously rated 'outstanding'.

The school said the context of its downgrading was what it claimed to be "Ofsted’s intention to reduce dramatically the number of schools graded outstanding.”

In November, Ofsted said more than 80 per cent of 'outstanding' schools it inspected in 2021/22 were downgraded.

But its chief inspector Amanda Spielman told a House of Commons education committee in the same month that there is no quota of any kind.

Last month, the Recorder reported that two Plashet staff had walked out days before its November Ofsted inspection – its first in 14 years – and remained off work throughout it.

Catch-Up:

But Ofsted’s report completely ignored the row.

The school’s leadership – previously rated outstanding – was downgraded to good, but the brief report gave no reasons why.

Inspectors praised students’ behaviour and personal development as “outstanding” and their attitudes as “superb”.

Plashet’s quality of education was rated 'good', but inspectors added: “Some teachers lack the necessary expertise to teach their subjects with confidence.

“This results in pupils not developing their subject-specific skills equally well across all subjects.”

That was the only criticism contained in Ofsted’s short report, which did not mention the row revealed by the Recorder in February.

Some staff walked out last year after the school allegedly shut down its “equalities club” because religious parents claimed it promoted LGBT+ lifestyles.

At least one more staffer walked out this year after a further clash, between religious and secular staff, over a new equality and diversity policy.

An independent investigation is now underway, being monitored by Newham Council.

“I am concerned by this Ofsted report not mentioning the issues with staff walk-outs and that an LGBTQ+ group has been abolished,” said Green Party councillor Danny Keeling, leader of Newham’s opposition.

But Ofsted declined to explain the omission, simply saying: “We stand by our published report and have no further comment.”

Plashet has refused to comment on the walk-outs, citing the ongoing investigation.

It said it was “delighted with numerous positive comments made by Ofsted”, which, “coupled with the school’s most recent examination results, confirm the excellent quality of our school’s educational offer and outcomes.”