Hertswood Academy has been rated 'inadequate' following Ofsted’s latest inspection.

Poor attendance from students, especially those with learning difficulties and disabilities, led to the Cowley Hill academy receiving the education watchdog’s second lowest rating.

The “persistent absence” is “far too high and is only getting worse”, according to the report.

Inspectors state: “leaders and governors recognise that attendance is not good enough, but have not given the issue sufficient priority”, whilst the number of fixed term exclusions is “high”.

The inspection took place on September 27 and 28.

It was determined that overall effectiveness was rated as inadequate but personal development, behaviour, and welfare were also a cause for concern.

The effectiveness of leadership and management was rated as “requires improvement”.

The academy was praised in several other areas. Its sixth form college was rated as 'outstanding', while the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment, and outcomes for pupils was rated as 'good'.

Since the previous inspection, the report states that the “head teacher and other leaders have shown a relentless determination to raise attainment. Over the last five years, pupils’ attainment and progress have risen dramatically” whilst the academy recently recorded their best ever GCSE results.

At their last inspection, Hertswood were rated as 'good' overall.

In a letter to parents, head teacher Peter Gillett and chairman of governors Martin Doe wrote: “We are extremely disappointed with the overall judgement of the report since it punishes the academy and families who ensure good attendance because a minority of pupils have not attended well enough.

“We have already been working hard to address this and other key improvement areas and as always, we need parents/carers help to ensure each child attends school every day, to significantly reduce our persistent absence rate.

“Finally, thank you for your continued support in dramatically raising standards and progress so that our children have better than ever life chances. With our new world-class building work well underway, even better results expected this year and the academy now oversubscribed we are looking forward to a bright New Year ahead.”