A flagship college in Medway has a promising future despite receiving an Ofsted report described as “one of the worst I’ve read”, councillors have been told.

Medway University Technical College in Chatham was branded as “inadequate” by inspectors in March, while it has also reported financial pressures due to a shortage of students.

The £12million secondary was opened in September 2015 to great fanfare, with sponsors – including Medway Council – wanting to maintain the Towns’ links with construction and engineering.

Since the report was published, the UTC has appointed Paul Cottam and David Giles as the new principal and chair of governors respectively.

Medway Council’s interim head of school services David Watkins told select committee members last month that improvements were already apparent since the changes.

He said: “I would say boundaries are being set, pupil behaviour is good, and it’s a quietly controlled environment which is focusing on teaching and learning.

“The principal has a hands-on role, there’s been a significant turnover of teaching staff, and Mr Cottam has been undertaking a recruitment drive with a number of new experienced teachers to be appointed for the new academic year in September.”

Members shared issues about how the UTC – a secondary for those aged between 14 and 19 – could be promoted to prospective students, and how other schools want to keep hold of their best prospects.

But Cllr Barry Kemp (Con) also said “34-36” students of the college went to university last year, describing the number as “quite an achievement” considering its short history.

He added: “Yes, there is a lot wrong but the report from the director of education is positive and it shows a positive way forward.

“Truly that is all that was needed, and once we’ve got this year’s results out of the way, I’m hoping a lot of our fears will have been allayed.”

Cllr Martin Potter (Con), Medway Council’s portfolio holder for educational attainment and improvement, is holding meetings with the college each term.

But Cllr Clive Johnson (Lab) has called for the authority to do more.

The group spokesman for children and young people told members: “I’ve read Ofsted reports for many years in a professional capacity, and this is by far one of the worst I’ve read.

“It is a catalogue of failure across key areas – most notably quality of teaching and governance. The school has clearly been letting down students since it opened, which is only three academic years.

“I would like to see more definitive action from the council to support the school, rather than the meetings and contacts proposed.

But with the Department for Education responsible for the improvements, in partnership with The Howard Academy Trust, it is unlikely Cllr Johnson’s request will be catered for.

Cllr Wendy Purdy (Con) concluded: “I think it hasn’t been a complete failure. I think the UTC has had some excellent results, and some of these students have gone on and achieved and done well.

“I’m sure Medway will continue to support it as much as they possibly can. It is an academy and it’s difficult to support an academy because we don’t have any real control.”