A headteacher insists she runs a good school, despite inspectors calling for improvement.

Claire Kirwin, acting headteacher at George Mitchell School in Farmer Road, Leyton, said inspectors who visted in October did not see the real quality of the school.

“George Mitchell is a good school. We were all disappointed that is not what they experienced when they came to see us,” Ms Kirwin said.

“Plans are now being put in place to ensure inspectors see how good we really are next time we get a visit.”

Having dropped from a ‘good’ rating two years ago, an inspection on October 3 credited many aspects of the school but said some secondary pupils were not making sufficient progress in English and maths and that some had also fallen behind in science, drama, history, music and physical education.

The report said the acting headteacher was well supported by her leadership team and had restored staff morale at the school, which is one of the borough's most deprived areas.

Inspectors also found that most pupils were no longer underachieving, while some are achieving well.