The interim headteacher of a Leytonstone comprehensive school said he is disappointed with the results of recent Ofsted inspections but has promised improvements.

Leytonstone School in Colworth Road was told it needed improvement following an assessment in January because of poor GCSE results and teaching, as well as issues around leadership.

But the school, which teaches 900 11 to 16-year-olds, was also praised for being a happy, caring and respectful community.

Interim headteacher Bruce Roberts said: “We’re disappointed with the outcome but we were pleased with the positive comments about recent improvements at the school.

“They’re clear about behaviour, safety and the caring community being good, those are the crucial things and that we raise the attainment of students.”

Inspectors noted that GCSE results were below the national average with little improvement in recent years.

Too much teaching needs improvement while not enough was outstanding, inspectors found.

But Mr Roberts, who has been at the school for 10 years and was made interim headteacher in January, was praised for his improvement plans.

“We’ve got a programme of support and improvement available to all staff and we want teaching to be good and outstanding and, as with the improvements they’ve mentioned, we’ll make sure that happens,” he said.

“It’s maintaining the positive ethos and changes that have happened and raising the attainment of students that’s the priority.”

Lead inspector Ann Short wrote: “Senior leaders now have an accurate understanding of the work of the school and have identified clearly and accurately the areas for improvement.

“Senior leaders have been allocated new responsibilities to rapidly address areas of weakness and changes are beginning to make a difference.”