AN independent school has been criticised by inspectors, who said it does not “prepare pupils fully for life in British society”.

Olive Secondary School, an Islamic faith school in Barkerend, was judged ‘inadequate’ in a new report by school inspection body Ofsted.

The school has just over 190 pupils, and boys and girls are taught separately.

Inspectors visited the school in July, but the report has just been published. The school is rated inadequate for the effectiveness of its leadership and management, and for personal development, behaviour and welfare. It was told it “requires improvement” in teaching quality and pupil outcomes.

It was judged good by inspectors at its last inspection in 2014.

Until September 2016, the school taught Islamic studies during the day, but a recent change in curriculum means secular subjects are now taught during the school day, which inspectors say will lead to pupils getting a “broader range of appropriate qualifications”.

The report says: “Pupils are not prepared fully for life in British society. They do not have regular opportunities to apply and test out their knowledge and understanding of respect and tolerance of different genders.

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“The different treatment of boys and girls introduces inequality of experience that affects their personal development. Pupils’ opportunities to test out their resilience and confidence with members of the public remain limited.”

It said in English in particular, the teaching of boys was not as effective as the teaching of girls.

Despite the criticisms, the report adds: “Pupils develop a mature and tolerant understanding of people of different faiths and backgrounds.” It also says they were “respectful and considerate of others”.

The Telegraph & Argus contacted Olive School for a comment, but did not receive a response before deadline.