A school has lodged an official complaint after governors said the outcome of an inspection “failed the common sense test”.

Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) was inspected by Ofsted at the beginning of December, but has failed to shake off its overall “requires improvement” status.

The school’s governing body has refuted the findings and have submitted a formal complaint about the process and conduct experienced during the inspection on December 3 and 4.

Chair of governors Peter Kyle said: “We know more than anyone that continuous improvement is required by all schools and accept many of Ofsted's findings.

“However governors unanimously felt that the recent inspection did not sufficiently set the need for improvement firmly enough into the context of significant achievement at the school.

“Put simply, the outcome of this inspection has failed the 'common sense test'.

“Governors also have significant misgivings around the tone and conduct of inspectors as they dispensed their duties.

“In the interests of defending the astonishing commitment of BACA students and staff the governing body have taken the tough decision to challenge aspects of this inspection.

“A formal complaint has been submitted to Ofsted and we eagerly await its outcome.

“Educational improvement has been at BACA's heart from the beginning, driven by unstinting commitment by teachers, students, and our sponsor.

“That's why academic achievement has more than doubled, the gap between pupil premium and non-pupil premium students has closed, and attainment in subjects like English are far exceeding the national average.”

The report will not be officially published until the New Year, but BACA were sent the provisional report last week which has seen no change to its overall status from its previous inspection two years ago.

Then, Ofsted found the quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management to be good, but achievement of pupils to be requiring improvement and gave the academy an overall status of Requires Improvement – the third lowest of four categories.

Headteacher Dylan Davies said: “The staff at BACA are proud of our school and determined to further develop the academy for the benefit of our students and the wider community.

“We thank everyone for their support.”

An Ofsted spokesman said: “We do not comment on whether a complaint has been received about our inspection of a school.

“Where any concerns have been raised we do take these very seriously, considering them rigorously and dealing with issues as quickly as possible.”