A school previously accused of allowing a bullying culture to thrive has received a damning report from Ofsted.

St Joseph’s Convent Preparatory School in Old Road East, Gravesend, was subject to an inspection from May 25 to May 27 - three weeks after concerns were highlighted here.

The Ofsted report labels St Joseph’s as an inadequate school, with bullying chief among the concerns.

Pupils’ personal development is said to suffer ‘because leaders have not ensured that all bullying is eradicated’, specifically prejudice-based bullying.

Previously police were called to the school on March 21 after a girl was found with a blade in her school bag, with a parent claiming that she had brought it in to ‘deal with a bullying incident themselves’.

Head teacher Carola Timney denied the claim at the time and said the incident was ‘dealt with immediately’.

She said: “Bullying is not tolerated at St Joseph’s. We have a clear policy in place and treat all reports very seriously.”

One concerned parent, who did not want to be identified, said after the report was published that their daughter, in Year 2, had been bullied by two children in Year 4.

They said: “I was going to complain to the head teacher but thought I would give them the benefit of the doubt and wait for the Ofsted.

"When it was released I phoned the head and she was on leave. The school have sent out a release to parents — it says they have been working hard to make rapid improvements.

“Clearly they haven’t been. I am fuming.”

The report makes specific reference to bullying problems in Year 4 and says that the school has so far failed to deal with it effectively.

It says: “Pupil discussions and class logs reveal that there have been some persistent incidents of bullying, particularly in Year 4.

"This has an impact on pupils’ physical and emotional well-being. Some pupils say that bullying is still ongoing. In discussions they say that if there was no bullying there would be a much better atmosphere in this school.”

More than a third of parents who responded to an Ofsted online questionnaire also believe that the school deals ineffectively with bullying. Other concerns raised by the report include pupils’ safety, checks on staff suitability, leadership, management and pupils’ achievements.

The report also states that the school does not actively promote British values because pupils are not adequately informed about other cultures and religions.

Early years provision is also criticised, as are drinking water and toilet facilities. Measurements of pupils’ progress are described as ‘infrequent and inaccurate’.

St Joseph’s did score well in some areas. Pupils are said to have a good understanding of Christianity and in most lessons demonstrate good attitudes to their learning. They are also given many opportunities ‘to develop their moral and social skills’ thanks to activities, such as trips abroad and sports events.

Head teacher Carola Timney previously denied that the school had a bullying problem.

Speaking in May, she said that relationship issues were common in all schools.

“Peer relationship issues are part of growing up and learning how to handle them is part of the formation of a child,” she said.

“There are times when we have to step in to support children in managing this. Occasionally relationship issues take longer to resolve and require greater intervention on the school’s part, including working in partnership with the parents.

“If this does not happen, the issues may become further exacerbated, thus protracting the process of resolution.

“Understandably, when a child is upset, parents become anxious and want to see action taken immediately, sometimes before the situation has been thoroughly addressed.

“We make sure to fully investigate and take appropriate action once informed conclusions have been reached.”

When contacted for a response to the Ofsted report, the school said that Mrs Timney was now on leave – but they would not say why or for how long – but a statement was issued by the school’s governing body.

It read: “Since the Ofsted inspection in May, staff and governors have been working hard to make rapid improvements.

“We will work hard with the Archdiocese of Southwark as we carry on improving and we look forward to our next visit from Ofsted, which we trust will confirm the progress that the school is making.”

Other schools and nurseries in the borough have fared better in their latest inspections.

Parents were invited to a meeting with governors on Wednesday. St Joseph’s is a Roman Catholic independent co-educational day school with 141 boys and girls aged 2 to 11.

Update: October 2018 - Since this report was written, the school has appointed a new head teacher and has transformed its Ofsted rating from Inadequate to Good.

Their report said Miss Buckley led with compassion, professionalism and good humour.