Two more Steiner free schools issued with termination notices

Steiner Academy Bristol and Steiner Academy Frome have been issued with termination warning notices by the regional schools commissioner for the south west of England.

The schools were placed in special measures following unannounced Ofsted inspections last November.

Three of the four state-funded Steiner free schools in England are now rated inadequate after Steiner Academy Exeter was placed in special measures in October.

Inspectors warned safeguarding at th schools was “not effective” and that tsaff at the Steiner Academy Bristol used physical intervention “unnecessarily” .

Education secretary Damian Hinds granted Ofsted special powers to inspect all Steiner schools in England, including 21 private schools, were granted after chief inspector of schools Amanda Spielman reported “deeply concerning” findings.

Spielman has also asked for an investigation into whether the Steiner 'philosophy' is contributing to the failures. Hinds is yet to authorise such a probe.

Ofsted inspectors found that leaders had an “over-generous view of the school’s effectiveness”.

Governors at the academy are currently raising money to launch a judicial review against Ofsted.