CHILDREN “push, throw objects, and swear” at a Rayleigh school that has plummeted from an “outstanding” rating to “requires improvement” after an inspection.

The Sweyne Park School, in Sir Walter Rayleigh Drive, has been ordered to make a series of improvements after an Ofsted inspection on February 21, and 22.

The education watchdog had previously rated the school “outstanding” - the highest possible rating - in 2010, the last official inspection before the school converted into an academy.

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Inspectors raised concerns around the pupil’s behaviour which has led to an “increase in suspensions”.

The report stated: “Leaders recognised that behaviour needs to improve.

“They have already taken action to address this through introducing a new behaviour policy and restricting the leadership of behaviour across the school.

“However, this has not, at this stage, had the impact leaders intend.

“The behaviour policy is not followed consistently by teachers. experience of pupils.

“Pupils say that their learning is disrupted in some lessons.

“Behaviour at break times and lunch times is sometimes not as calm as it ought to be, and a minority of pupils behave poorly.

“This includes pushing, throwing objects and swearing. This behaviour has led to an increase in suspensions.”

At the time of the inspection, there were 1,488 pupils at the school, all aged between 11 and 19.

Concerns were also raised around attendance of pupils.

The report added: “In some year groups, pupils do not attend as often as they should, and too many pupils are persistently absent.

“This means that some pupils do not benefit sufficiently from the education provided by the school and fall behind their peers.

“Leaders should ensure that these pupils are helped to attend school regularly and need to refine methods of checking the impact of their work around behaviour and attendance.”

Despite being rated as “requires improvement”, the school was rated “good” in four of the five areas inspected.

Ofsted noted safeguarding arrangements are effective, and “incidents of bullying are rare and are resolved quickly by teachers”.

Inspectors added: “Leaders have high ambitions for pupils and the majority enjoy their learning.

“There is a strong curriculum in place for pupils’ personal development.”