A Chigwell faith school’s Ofsted rating has plummeted from “outstanding” to “inadequate” in the space of six years.

Education regulator Ofsted has downgraded the rating of independent faith school Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa

College, in Roding Lane, citing “serious concerns about safeguarding pupils,” among several other factors.

Following a three-day inspection in September last year, an 18-page report was released highlighting inadequacies in nine main areas in January.

In relation to safeguarding, the report says that leaders have “failed systematically” to undertake effective checks to ensure all necessary precautions are in place.

In addition, pupils have raised concerns about their safety on the school bus, “where too often there are broken seatbelts, and they feel that drivers do not take sufficient care in their driving”.

The report indicates that sixth formers are underachieving due to students often choosing “inappropriate courses to study”.

In addition, poor maintenance of the school building reportedly poses risks which “potentially compromise pupils’ safety and welfare”.

The report notes poor systems for monitoring the school’s effectiveness and a lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities as a contributing factor to the school’s decline over time.

A parent, who preferred not to be named, told the Recorder that: “I am deeply disappointed and am actively trying to get another secondary school place for my child.”

However, the report also credits the school for its effective teaching and positive behaviour of pupils, among other areas.

Pupils’ behaviour and attitude to lessons is reportedly “very good” enabling them to form “positive relationships with their teachers” and make “good progress”.

A good understanding of fundamental British values among pupils is also listed as a strength.

Mr Amarjit Singh Toor, the school’s principal, said: “In our case, where we have been proud of the results we have been achieving, we were too slow to react to the newly introduced Independent School Standards and the safeguarding issues.”

He added that the school were asked to put together an action plan of improvements by February 26 which has accepted by Ofsted and is on track to be carried out by April 23.