LEADERS of a long-running school holiday club said they feel 'unjustifiably criticised' by their first ever 'inadequate' Ofsted report.

Oxford Active, which runs several school holiday and after-school groups in Oxfordshire and beyond, was shocked after one of its activity camps was handed the regulator's worst rating.

The report was for Active Camps at Oxford High School, which is based at the Summertown school but runs completely separately.

An inspector said children's safety was compromised by vetting procedures and policy for administering medicine.

But the company has labelled the report 'misleading' and plans to appeal to Ofsted.

Peter Parry, operations director at Woodstock-based Oxford Active, said it was the company's first inadequate rating in its 17-year history.

He said: "We are extremely disappointed.

"It is our belief that the inspection report contains misleading language and does not accurately describe the quality of care delivered on site or the systems in place.

"As an organisation with 17 years' experience in the industry, we have never before felt so unjustifiably criticised by an inspection."

The popular club was attended by about 120 children on inspection day, which took place in the Easter break.

Ofsted's report rated the club 'good' for quality of teaching, learning and assessment, but 'inadequate' for effectiveness of leadership and management, and personal development, behaviour and welfare of children.

It was rated 'inadequate' overall - a fall from its previous rating of 'good', which was awarded in 2014.

The inspector's report, published last week, stated: "Weaknesses in safeguarding practice compromise children's welfare.

"On the day of inspection, risk assessment for children with allergies was ineffective.

"Staff left children unsupervised, with some children eating foods that posed a risk to their friends."

It also raised concerns about staff safety checks.

The report added: "The provider is not able to demonstrate that they have completed additional suitability checks on some staff who have recently returned to the country after an extended period abroad.

"Staff who had not been subject to robust checks were left with children in a room on their own for over an hour.

"Despite these failings, the provider does ensure that they obtain proof of DBS checks for staff."

Mr Parry said concerns raised only referred to one staff member.

Much of the rest of the report was complimentary, describing staff as 'skilful' and 'sensitive'.

Mr Parry added: "Oxford Active is committed to safeguarding and considers the safety and security of the children we care for to be our number one priority, an ethos which is effectively communicated to and upheld by all of our staff.

"We look forward to Ofsted’s return in the near future, to be offered an opportunity to prove the dedication of our organisation and each of our staff to providing high quality, affordable childcare to the local community."

Oxford Active called in the local authority safeguarding team (LAST) to audit its staff records, and Mr Parry said the response was positive.

He encouraged current or prospective parents to call the Oxford Active head office to discuss any concerns, on 01865 594325.