Mutual mistrust, misunderstandings and poor communication lay behind the damaging dispute between the Archdiocese of Southwark and the leadership, teachers and pupils at The John Fisher School in south London

Its alumni include the actor Bill Nighy, rugby players Kieran Treadwell and Alex Dombrant, and sprinter Martyn Rooney. But for The John Fisher School in Purley, south London, publicity in the last two months has meant reports of a bitter row between its staff and the Archdiocese of Southwark that has led to damaging accusations that the Church is homophobic and that teachers are jeopardising pupils’ exam results.

Last week it was announced that a partial agreement has been reached between the National Education Union and the school; that the strike action which has edged ever closer to pupils’ public exams will be suspended; and that the school will receive a visit from a gay author – although not the one whose intended visit sparked the row following its high-profile, abrupt cancellation in March.