A "dissapointed" 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 two from the highest ‘outstanding’ status to Ofsted's second lowest ‘requires improvement’ in a surprise inspection in May.

But despite the unfavourable rating, headteacher Jonathan Miller is determined to show the report is not a true reflection of 2,000 student school, which he says has a wealth of positive qualities.

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.”

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.

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

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

Inspectors also criticised school information systems for monitoring attendance, behaviour, exclusions and detentions as ineffective.

However, the report said students enjoyed their studies and achieved good grades, the sixth form, and praised teaching standards and above average A-level grades are regularly.

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 Oxbridge 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.