Since converting to an academy, Penair School in Truro has gone from 'outstanding' to 'needs improvement' according to Ofsted inspectors.

The report, which the school has said followed a "seriously flawed" process, comes in the final week at the school for its outgoing headteacher Barbara Vann.

While inspectors said that the behaviour and safety of pupils was good, the quality of teaching, achievement of pupils and leadership and management were all listed at needing improvemnet following an inspection in June.

The report says that achievement is lower in English than it is in mathematics, particularly for boys and less-able students, because teaching is not consistently good and standards are also not high enough in all subjects. Not all students do well enough in humanities and Spanish.

Disabled students and those who have special educational needs "do not achieve as well as others because their welfare and progress are not regularly checked., and the progress made by those students eligible for pupil premium funding is too slow as "the funding is not always used effectively enough to support them".

The report says that not all teachers have high expectations of students or encourage them to produce high-quality work.

It adds that "senior leaders and governors do not check rigorously enough the real impact teaching has on the learning and progress of all students or hold teachers fully to account for their progress".

Among the strengths at the school are that it is strongly inclusive and works extensively and closely with parents and carers and the local community, and "as a result the school is held in good regard by parents and carers".

Attainment at GCSE grades A* to C in the majority of subjects is "just above average resulting in outstanding achievement in mathematics and at least good progress being secured in science".

Behaviour is also good, with the majority of students "respectful and courteous towards other students, staff and visitors to the school", and attendance is rising, reflecting "the students’ enjoyment of school".

In a statement the school said: "Penair School, which has been in the top three attaining schools of the 31 state schools in Cornwall for six out of the last eight years, is deeply concerned by its recent Ofsted inspection which it believes is seriously flawed.

"Detailed complaints about the process and judgements have been made to Ofsted and local MP Sarah Newton has been informed."

With the "whole school community" said to be disappointed with the Ofsted report school governors argue that the facts do not smatch the report's verdict as "the school's achievements speak for themselves".