A school where more than 25 languages are spoken by pupils has been told it must do better after its first inspection found it to have “serious weaknesses”.

Chantry Community Academy, in Ordnance Road, Gravesend, was rated “inadequate” overall by school watchdog Ofsted in a recent inspection.

It became an academy in June 2013. When its predecessor, Chantry Primary School, was last inspected, it was found to be “satisfactory” overall.

Chantry is culturally diverse with at least 27 different languages spoken by its 332 pupils, and the number who have English as a second language is higher than average.

Inspector Robyn Hammerton said despite recent improvements, these children were the ones suffering.

He said: “Significant groups within the school community underachieve, including pupils who are disadvantaged, pupils who speak English as an additional language and those who are disabled or who have special educational needs.”

The academy was told it “required improvement” in the four areas judged by Ofsted – leadership and management, pupils’ behaviour and safety, the quality of teaching and early years provision. Pupils’ achievement was “inadequate”.

Chantry is part of the Meopham Community Academies Trust, which also runs Meopham Community Academy.

Mr Hammerton criticised teaching, specifically commenting on how much teachers help pupils.

He said: “Teachers generally question pupils well, encouraging them to think more deeply.

“On some occasions, however, teachers do too much for the pupils. The pupils then have fewer opportunities to think for themselves.

"For example, occasionally, teachers talk for extended periods without sufficiently checking pupils’ thinking and understanding. This slows down the learning.”

There was praise for children’s behaviour. Mr Hammerton said: “Pupils have increasing opportunities to take responsibility. They serve happily as school councillors, and as young interpreters, for example.

"Regular ‘circle time’ sessions in each class encourage pupils to reflect on their attitudes and behaviour.”

"He also said head teacher Michelle Munns “leads very well”, encouraged staff and was building committed teams.

The curriculum was interesting and varied, engaging pupils, backed by a supportive governing body and parents who were “understandably pleased” with improvements at the school.

It will now be regularly monitored by Ofsted to help continue progress. The Messenger approached the school for a comment but did not get a response.