EDUCATION inspectorate Ofsted was today starting a two day inspection of prestigious Merseyside school amid complaints “broken governance” is hitting standards.

The government watchdog last night could not confirm whether the timing of the visit to West Kirby’s Calday Grange was connected to its investigation launched last month into parents’ concerns over the way it is being governed and the year-long absence of its headmaster Andrew Hall.

But the Daily Post can reveal the same day parents were notified by Ofsted of the inspection, Christine Gilbert, the Chief Inspector of Schools wrote to a former head boy of the school, Ant Phillips saying that his concerns over governance “will be used to help determine the timing of the school’s next inspection”.

She has also made earlier assurances in official correspondence to concerned parents and former staff.

The school has not been inspected since 2006 when it received the highest rating of outstanding and although governance will be among areas scrutinised the Daily Post understands it will be a regular inspection.