A new school has been told it must do better after receiving a low rating in an Ofsted inspection.

Enfield Heights Academy in Pitfield Way, Enfield, has been told the expectations of its pupils must be raised at the school and more focus in the school's future plans must be made.

The schools inspection body gave Enfield Heights the second lowest ‘requires improvement’ rating in all four key areas - achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, and leadership and management.

Expectations of what the academy's pupils can achieve were described as “too low”, resulting in “variation in the progress made by different groups of pupils in reading, writing and mathematics.”

The academy, which opened in September 2012, currently only has pupils in Reception and Year 1.

The report said too little attention was paid to pupils' handwriting, and added that work set did not always help pupils to do as well as they might because it was too easy or too hard.

A spokesman for the school said: “While we are of course disappointed with this outcome, we are confident that the school has a robust plan in place that will be further refined in light of the Ofsted report.

“The report identifies areas for improvement, many of which were already being targeted by the senior leadership team and the governing body prior to the Ofsted inspection. As a newly established school, Enfield Heights Academy is on a journey and the judgement is a reflection of where the school is on that journey.

“Like a number of other free schools, the first 20 months have not been without their challenges – for example opening on a temporary site.'”

Despite its shortfalls, the report praised the headteacher and staff for their “passion for improving the school.”

The ofsted report also said the school has a “caring and nurturing environment".

Currently owned by Centre for British Teachers Trust (CfBT), the school is proposing a transfer to the Cuckoo Hall Academies Trust by September 2014.

Patricia Sowter, executive headteacher at Cuckoo Hall Academies Trust, said: “We are putting the necessary expertise and support in place to ensure that the school gets to where it wants to be – and quickly.

“Having local support from CHAT and the other schools within the CHAT trust will be of enormous benefit at this time. We are delighted to be welcoming Enfield Heights Academy to our family.”

The inspection took place on March 27 and 28 and was published on June 2.