A "disappointed" headteacher has vowed to tackle the challenge of improving his school head on after it was criticised in an Ofsted report.

JFS, in The Mall, Kenton, was downgraded from Ofsted's highest ‘outstanding’ rating to ‘requires improvement’ in a surprise inspection carried out in May.

But despite the unfavourable rating, headteacher Jonathan Miller is determined to show the report is not a true reflection of school, which he says has a wealth of positive qualities.

The majority of pupils at the Jewish faith school live in the borough of Barnet.  

He said: “I was astonished by this, because I am passionately aware pupils have just one chance of moving through school.

“We strive to ensure the students have the best possible experience here, so it’s disappointing the inspectors didn’t agree with the high standards we aspire to.

“We feel the judgement they gave us was disproportionate. However, we won’t linger over this. We’ll take action straight away – this grade will not stand.”

He said Ofsted had complaints from a ‘handful’ of parents who were unhappy, but that the overwhelming majority of parents were pleased with the standards of teaching.

The report raises concerns about the behaviour and safety of pupils, attendance levels and the rising number of students who are permanently or temporarily excluded.

Punishments for bad behaviour are also not given in a fair and consistent manner and being used too frequently by some teachers.

Another factor included the way school information systems for monitoring attendance, incidents of poor behaviour, exclusions and detentions were ineffective.

However, it did praise the way students enjoy their studies and achieve good grades, the sixth form, the teaching standards and how the A-level grades are regularly above average.

It also said the governors, leaders and teachers have highly ambitious targets for students’ academic achievements, and often set challenging targets which are met.

Last year 16 pupils were offered places at an Oxbridge university after sitting their final exams at the school.

Mr Miller added: “We have an aspirational approach to life at our school and the inspectors did recognise that. We offer a caring environment where students are treated as individuals.

“I don’t, however, feel the report brings out how an overwhelming number of our students made a lot of progress last year. We also have outstanding pastoral care.

“I accept the points that have been made and will respond to the challenges. I am looking to the future now. We will get back to outstanding.”

The school will have a monitoring visit in the next few months, and it will be due another inspection in two years’ time.