An academy has been downgraded from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’ by the national watchdog for education.

Chingford Foundation School was rated ‘requires improvement’ overall – the second lowest possible grade – by Ofsted following an inspection in December of last year.

In a report published on January 28, Ofsted inspectors deemed pupils were not receiving a “good enough education”.

The academy in Nevin Drive, Chingford, was found to provide a ‘limited’ curriculum.

In the Ofsted report, inspectors wrote: “Pupils in Years 7 to 9 do not follow a programme that covers all the subjects they should study… Some pupils end their studies in subjects such as history, geography, art, music or design and technology after Year 8. Pupils in Years 7 to 9 do not study computing.”

School leadership is looking into replacing its current two-year key stage 3 curriculum to address Ofsted’s concerns. Plans to rectify this were said be at a “very early stage”.

The teaching, in Years 7 and 8, of English, history, geography and languages, was also criticised for lacking “sufficient depth”.

Inspectors wrote: “Pupils in Years 7 and 8 do not get regular access to the school library. They are not in the habit of studying novels in full. This is limiting their breadth of reading.”

Pupils were said to behave well in classrooms and feel safe to focus on their work, which was ensured by effective school systems.

Many pupils spoken to by Ofsted choose to stay on in the sixth form, which was rated ‘good’. One student explained to inspectors: “We stayed because our sixth form has a good reputation.”

Jane Benton, school CEO, said: “Trustees, governors, staff, students and parents/carers are proud of the education at Chingford Foundation School. Results are strong and our stakeholders shared their overwhelming support of the School with Inspectors.

“However, under their new framework, Ofsted are not in favour of a two-year key stage 3 curriculum. The Ofsted grade was hard-felt by our staff who are passionate about the School. This sentiment is being echoed in many schools whose Ofsted grade is being limited by a two-year key stage 3 curriculum.

“We will be considering our curriculum plans as a result of the Inspection. It is heartening to know that our hardworking and dedicated staff is supported in their daily work; trustees have declared their full support of leadership, staff and students.”