THE Taunton Academy has been rated 'inadequate' in an Ofsted report published today (March 15).

The report states the school has "serious weaknesses" and says students do not make enough progress.

But it won't be placed into special measures because leaders, particularly at a senior and governing body level, are "demonstrating the capacity to improve."

Principal Mark Trusson said: "I would like to reassure parents that we are taking the findings seriously.

"We recognise there is a long journey ahead and we remain fully committed to delivering the best education to all the pupils at the Academy.”

The school formed in 2010 following the closure of St Augustine of Canterbury School and Ladymead Community School.

The achievement of pupils and quality of teaching have been rated 'inadequate', while the behaviour and safety of pupils and the leadership and management 'requires improvement.'

Mary Cridge, chair of governors at The Taunton Academy, commented: “The report recognises that we are committed to an on-going journey of self-improvement which has already realised positive results but there is still much to achieve.”

She added: “Our results have shown marked improvement from the predecessor schools.

"For example, 80% of students attained five A-C grades in 2012 compared to only 53% in the year before opening, across the two predecessor schools. Most other benchmarks show a similar rise.”