A RAYLEIGH school for children with special educational needs has been ordered to shape up and make urgent improvements, just a year after opening. 

The Karalius Foundation, in Rayleigh Town Sports and Social Club, has been rated as “requires improvement” in all areas after its first Ofsted inspection after registering in March 2021.

Inspectors found issues around attendance and a narrow curriculum. 

The school has acknowledged it was a “turbulent year”, but insisted a new leadership team has been put in place since the start of the year and is committed to success. 

READ MORE >> Mum pulls kids from school after 'daughter threatened at knifepoint by pupil'

The report stated: “Since the school has opened, there have been several changes of headteacher. This instability has affected pupils’ behaviour and attendance.

“Some pupils attend school only to then stop attending again. The curriculum for English and mathematics is narrow in its scope and teachers are not consistently assessing pupils’ abilities.

“Some pupils are not benefitting from the full extent of the school’s provision, nor receiving all elements of the curriculum and so leaders need to continue with efforts to improve attendance.”

At the time of inspection there were 18 pupils on roll aged 12 to 16.

Inspectors also added the leaders need a more robust monitoring system.

The report stated: “Leaders have not check which aspects of PSHE and relationships and sex education (RSE) have been delivered by staff and which have not.

“As a result, there are gaps in pupils’ provisions.”

Ofsted praised the safeguarding arrangements, acknowledging the staff’s alertness to behaviour changes.

School proprietor, David Kreyling, said: “We opened on March 2 2021 and admitted our first students on March 22 2021.

“A year on, we are proud of everyone including our staff and students and the journey we have taken together, overcoming not just pandemic issues and disruptions but seeing clear positive impact on the students’ lives.

“Children should not be labelled - they should be understood.

“We will continue to drive our vision and values through a trailblazing approach to educating our young people. We are confident that the measures we have already put in place will impact significantly on the life chances of the young people in our care.”