THE headteacher of a Billericay school insists it is making progress despite Ofsted downgrading it from outstanding to requiring improvement, in its latest report.
Ann Robinson, the head of Buttsbury Junior School in Norsey View Drive, said she is not surprised by the education watchdog's conclusion.
Inspectors believe pupils at the school are not making enough progress and, as a result, the school has been rated as level three, requiring improvement, a grading previously known as satisfactory.
Mrs Robinson, who took over the headship of the school in January, believes the report is an accurate assessment of the school and that new policies already in place have yet to take full effect.
She told the Gazette: "I believe the report is a fair summary of the school as it stands at present but we already have the building blocks in place – i.e. motivated and dynamic staff, a clear plan, a committed governing body, supportive parents and lovely children. So I am sure we will rapidly improve the issues raised."
The school, which has almost 500 pupils, was graded as outstanding in February 2010.
Since then a new framework has been introduced by Ofsted, which places more emphasis on pupil progress rather than just attainment.
At Buttsbury pupils start at age seven with high levels of attainment but by the time they leave in Year 6, inspectors claim they have not reached the levels they are capable of, particularly in English.
However, having just taken their SATs, this year's Year 6 pupils look set to do well, thanks to measures such as one-to-one tuition, before-school booster classes, and Easter holiday revision sessions.
Heather Stuart, Chair of Governors, said: "Because the assessment is based on the school's performance over the two years since becoming an academy, the improvements that Mrs Robinson has made in the last term-and-a-half could have little impact on the Ofsted ratings.
"However, parents, staff and governors are well aware of the positive impact of her dedicated leadership and the governors are in no doubt that she can continue this progress."
Inspectors were impressed with pupils' attendance, behaviour, safety and their attitudes to learning, and gave them a level two, good rating.
They noted in their report: "With these positive attributes and qualities, pupils' progress should be much better than it has been in recent years."
The school will be inspected gain within the next two years, and both Mrs Robinson and Mrs Stuart are confident it will be then be graded as 'good'.
