STAFF “feel unsafe” at an “inadequate” Canvey school where pupils “plan fights” and the use of homophobic language and bullying are “features of everyday life”.

The Cornelius Vermuyden School, in Dinant Avenue, has received the lowest possible Ofsted rating and put in special measures following a damning report which highlighted serious issues with the behaviour of pupils.

The school, which has 777 pupils, was previously rated “requires improvements” after an inspection in 2019 but inspectors for the education watchdog found issues have become worse since.

The report, following an inspection on October 31 and November 1, found the school has “many issues to deal with” and “pupils do not treat one another with respect”.

The report adds that “staff report they have received injuries from pupils”.

Following the report, the school has invited parents and carers to an urgent “information evening”.

The Department for Education and Castle Point Council have “secured the support” of the Discovery Educational Trust to help make immediate improvements. The school’s governing body has also been “immediately restructured” and three governors with “independent experience of rapid school improvements” have been appointed.

The report, published on Friday, states: “Name-calling, the use of homophobic language and bullying are features of everyday life for too many pupils. Pupils have stopped reporting bullying because, too often, ‘nothing happens’.

“Certain behaviour is dangerous, such as planned fights, and this has left pupils and staff feeling unsafe. The negative experiences pupils have at school mean they do not want to attend.

“Pupils are typically disengaged in lessons. They may ignore the teacher and chat among themselves. Some pupils can be defiant. They do not respond to adults’ requests, and they leave lessons because they want to.”

Inspectors found there were also “multiple failings with safeguarding”.

The report adds: “There is a lack of safeguarding culture at the school. Too many pupils are not confident that staff will deal with behavioural issues or concerns about bullying.

“Many parents and staff agree that pupils are not safe on site.

“Some of the most vulnerable pupils have suffered serious violence or harm by other pupils.”

The school will now be working with the Department for Education to find a multi-academy trust it can move to.

Ian Hockey, headteacher at The Cornelius Vermuyden School, said: “The school and governing body were extremely disappointed with the results of our latest Ofsted inspection. This identified the school as inadequate and requiring special measures.

“We want to assure people that we will do everything we can to improve the school as quickly as possible.

“To do this, we will be drawing on the support of partners and working closely with parents, carers, and the local community to drive the necessary improvements forward.

“Our priority continues to be our pupils and ensuring they have the support they need to thrive. We are also committed to keeping parents and carers up to date as we progress on our improvement journey.”

Paul Fuller, the recently appointed new chair of governors, added: “We are naturally extremely disappointed with the judgment Ofsted has given us, but are determined to improve things as quickly as possible so that when Ofsted visit again, we can show clear progress.

“We have already formulated a plan with external expertise to address the areas of concern.”