FARMOR’S School in Fairford has been rated ‘requires improvement’, a drop from ‘good’.

The disappointing Ofsted report, published on January 4 after a visit led by inspector David New on November 7 and 8 last year, represents a decline from a ‘good’ rating given nearly five years ago in July 2013.

The academy has formally complained to Ofsted with headteacher Matthew Evans saying an “injustice” had been done.

Mr Evans said: “We were surprised to be told by the Ofsted inspectors that they felt the consistency of teaching requires improvement. We have made significant improvements in this area over recent years, as our increasing exam results show.

“However, we are open to constructive criticism and will continue to develop this aspect of our work.

“Despite accepting Ofsted's suggestions, when the report was released we strongly felt that it did not accurately describe the quality of education we provide. Our staff, parents and governors feel the same and I have been inundated with messages of support.

“There is quite a high level of anger towards Ofsted about the report in our community, and a sense of injustice.

“We do not anticipate that we will overturn their judgement, but I do feel that it is right to speak up when one feels an injustice has been done.

“In the parent survey which Ofsted carried out during the inspection, 97 per cent of the parents responding stated they would recommend Farmor's School to a friend. This is an incredible endorsement of our work and I am proud that the school serves our local community so well.”

He thanked parents for their ongoing support and confidence in the school.

Ofsted’s report read: “Pupils’ outcomes and the quality of teaching lag behind other areas of the school’s performance.

“Teaching is not of a consistently high quality across all subject areas.

“The least able pupils are not making the progress they are capable of because expectations of what they can achieve have not been high enough.”

However, Ofsted said of the school’s strengths: “The determined leadership of the headteacher and his senior team is changing the culture of the school and making it far more inclusive.

“The headteacher, senior leaders and governors have successfully tackled weaknesses in attendance and improved relationships with parents and the community.

“The sixth form is a strength of the school and is led well.

“The majority of pupils behave well in lessons and around the school site. The school successfully fosters pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.”