Inspectors decided standards of achievement were "too low" at Riverside College despite a strong commitment from staff and pupils.

Head teacher Bernie Green said she is surprised at the report because the school has achieved a 10% improvement in GCSE exam results.

It was recently praised by the Minister for Schools, David Milliband.

Action plan

Mrs Green says since the last inspection in 2001, staff have been working hard to raise standards and attendance has improved by 3%.

But she says the inspectors did not feel improvements were happening fast enough.