OFSTED inspectors who rated a school as inadequate have been described as “ignorant” in a complaint made by its special needs worker.

Philip Morant School and College, Colchester, was downgraded from being a good school, in the Ofsted report published last week.

The inspection, on May 22 and 23, was two months after leaders Nardeep Sharma and Catherine Hutley - from the trust running the school - were suspended.

The report said the school “promotes a strong tolerance” of pupils who might be hearing impaired or visually impaired.

It said it caters well for pupils “who lead alternative lifestyles, and runs a club for pupils who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.”

But Philip Morant’s special educational needs co-ordinator Heather Clarkson said, in a complaint to Ofsted, the wording in that part of the report “is completely inappropriate and quite frankly offensive”.

She added: “Students at our school are welcomed and embraced, they are certainly not tolerated. The courage our students show despite their disabilities, sexual orientation and gender identity is unequivocally applauded and admired.

“We have a culture of pride in our school with no place for mere tolerance.”

Ms Clarkson said she also found the word “alternative” used to describe pupils who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender as inappropriate. and it promoted segregation.

A parent who saw the letter questioned why the statement had been allowed into the report and wasn’t challenged by the school’s acting leaders.

They said: “It [the letter] talks about a kind, caring, supportive and inclusive headteacher who looked after her staff.

“I am very concerned with how this has been handled by the current leaders.”

An Ofsted spokesman said it will respond directly to the complaint and make any necessary changes in due course.

“While it would not be appropriate for us to comment too much on this issue while it is going through the appropriate channels, we will be considering if this positive aspect of the school’s provision should be worded more clearly and unambiguously.”

Sarah Dignasse, Vice Chair of Trustees at the Thrive Partnership Academy Trust, which runs the school, said:

“We are pleased that the recent Ofsted Inspection at Philip Morant School and College recognised the strong work that the school undertakes in relation to the Equality Act 2010.

“The comment in the report regarding ‘tolerance’ is standard Ofsted terminology. It does somewhat understate the excellent practice that goes on at the school in this area.”