Marlowe Academy league table result 'disappointing'
The principal of a Kent school rated among the worst in England in the latest performance tables has said he is disappointed with its GCSE results.
The Marlowe Academy in Ramsgate is ranked third from bottom with 14% of pupils getting at least five A* to C grades including English and maths.
The academy was placed under notice to improve by Ofsted last autumn.
"We have been slow and I was really disappointed with the English and maths results," said principal Ian Johnson.
"But we are putting things in place and we have to face up to the fact that we have to do a lot better."
But he added that the percentage of pupils achieving five A* to C grades overall, at 67%, was much better than previous years.
"This academy was set up to solve the problems in a particular area and we are doing that."
The Marlowe was the first academy in Kent when it opened in 2005 after being redeveloped by the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.
It replaced the Ramsgate School which closed after being put into special measures when it failed an Ofsted inspection in 2003.
Measures introduced to help raise standards include one-to-one sessions with teachers for students struggling with English and maths.
"Of course league tables do matter," said pupil Josh Thomson.
"But I think this school has got something different - it is not all about league tables.
"I have made friendships with my teachers here and it has brought me a long way in confidence."