A private school has been told to improve its sex education programme in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Rikkyo School in Rudgwick, near Horsham, is a Japanese boarding primary and secondary school. 

The school blamed "cultural sensitivity" for its lack of sufficient sex education provision.

Ofsted only inspects independent schools that are not members of associations. These are known as non-association independent schools.

According to inspectors Paul Metcalf and Alan Johnson, the school does not meet the independent school standards. 

The inspection took place from October 18 to 20.

In the report, published on December 9, Rikkyo School was rated requires improvement overall.

Of the five categories considered by Ofsted, the school was rated requires improvement on two of them: personal development, and leadership and management. 

According to the report, a key area the school needs to improve on is its relationships and sex education (RSE). 

Writing in the report, Mr Metcalf and Mr Johnson said: "RSE for secondary pupils is not covered in sufficient detail.

"The school has not given due regard to the statutory guidance on RSE and cites cultural sensitivity for the delay in implementation."

Pupils are not provided with age-appropriate knowledge of sexual relationships and protected characteristics, said Ofsted.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "In relation to RSE provision, due to cultural sensitivity, and the fact that the school follows the Japanese curriculum, the school has not been teaching the amount of RSE that it is required to by UK statutory requirements. 

"However, this is now being addressed and the school is making the necessary arrangements so that we can provide this education to our students going forward."

According to Ofsted, leaders know the school well and are determined that pupils will succeed and the school "has the capacity, expertise and willingness to address the shortfall" in RSE provision.

"They understand their roles and responsibilities," the report said.

"However, they have not been robust in ensuring that policies are up to date.

"Because policies are not being updated in a timely manner, the independent school standards on RSE are not being met."

The school's spokeswoman added: "We were very disappointed to have been rated ‘requires improvement’ and we have taken on board the comments made by Ofsted.

"We are now working hard to implement the changes needed. However, we also received many positive comments from Ofsted which we are very proud of, such as the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes and our sixth form provision. 

Though pupils are encouraged to read, and the school has a large library, there is currently no facility to diagnose and plan for pupils with dyslexia.

The report said: "As a result, some pupils have difficulties developing their English language skills."

Prior to this inspection, the school was last visited in June 2018, when it received a 'good' rating. 

Schools ranked requires improvement are inspected again within 30 months.