A long awaited Ofsted report for Astor College in Dover says the school requires improvement in all categories.

The 988-pupil school, in Astor Avenue, had its first inspection in on March 26 and 27 but a report was not published because it was deemed “incomplete.”

This was followed by an apology from the schools inspector, which went back for a second inspection over two days in July, just before the summer holidays.

But today, the regulator has published the report, which has already been circulated to parents and guardians.

Behaviour and safety of pupils, leadership, the quality of teaching, pupils’ achievement and the sixth form provision were all given the rating which is a step up from being inadequate.

It gave eight reasons as to why the campus, which was made into an academy in 2012, is not good.

The report said:“Teaching does not always challenge students to think deeply and acquire a good understanding of the key ideas in each subject.

'Teaching does not always challenge students to think deeply and acquire a good understanding...' Ofsted

“Priorities such as the need to improve students’ literacy skills, and to close the gaps between the attainment of disadvantaged students and others, are flagged up clearly by senior leaders but are not always given a consistently high profile in lessons.”

It said: “The quality of teaching requires improvement because, although there is some outstanding teaching supporting very good achievement, too little is consistently good enough to drive achievement in a wide range of subjects.”

The college’s efforts to keep pupils safe is good and the site is secure.

Inspectors also saw that bullying is not tolerated by older students and staff.

“The overwhelming majority of parents who responded to Parent View said that their child is safe in the college,” the report said.

Pupils’ achievement needs improving because ”in too many subjects too few students make at least the progress expected of them, and the proportion making good progress is too low.”

Progress in the sixth form is not good in academic subjects and it said that this limited students’ chances of getting into university.

Many students from other schools have been attracted to studying A-levels there because of its performing arts provision.

A college spokesman said: “Over a number of years, the school has built an excellent national reputation for its arts provision.

“While it is recognised the school requires improvement is some areas, the management team and staff are already implementing a number of changes which Ofsted acknowledges will make a considerable difference.

“The school is grateful for the support it receives from parents and the community at large, it is no surprise that the majority of students are proud of their college.”