A SCHOOL’S governing body has criticised the new Ofsted inspection framework after an outstanding school was downgraded.

Michael Waine, head of governors at Bicester’s Cooper School, described the system – introduced last September – as a “blunt tool”.

It comes after the Churchill Road secondary lost its outstanding rating and was given a ‘good’ ranking after an inspection earlier this month.

Inspectors now look at four areas – achievement, quality of teaching, pupil behaviour and safety, and leadership and management.

Mr Waine said: “You could not do anything else than describe the present framework as a blunt tool operating in a very limited range.

“Undoubtedly there are a number of schools that do need a tougher framework but to hit all the schools I feel is questionable.”

Concerns were also raised as to why the school was inspected so soon after the last visit in June 2011 when it was rated outstanding. That usually gives schools exemption from routine inspections.

But Ofsted says because a new sixth form had opened it warranted an inspection.

Mr Waine suggested a better time would have been after its new sixth form posted its first results this summer.

The former Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for schools, Mr Waine said Cooper School was “excellent” and the report “favourable”.

Headteacher Ben Baxter, who has also recently taken over as interim head at troubled Bicester Community College, said at the time of the inspection the school was left in the dark over why it had been inspected so soon.

Inspectors said the school was not rated as outstanding because some more able students did not make enough progress in English and maths; boys eligible for free school meals made less progress than girls and more teaching needed to be outstanding.

Mr Baxter said school leaders would act on recommendations to improve. He added: “Our actions now are to address absolutely these small areas for improvement. Indeed, work has already started on those areas that the school agrees with.”

Head of Ofsted Sir Michael Wilshaw said: “The revised framework ensures that our inspection arrangements will further challenge schools to ensure a good education is provided for all our children.

“The framework raises expectations and focuses on the importance of teaching to give children the education they deserve.”