Camden’s first academy school has been told it “requires improvement” following its first Ofsted inspection.

The UCL Academy school in Adelaide Road, Swiss Cottage, was told that it needs to improve the quality of its teaching, progress made by pupils and the way the school is managed in an Ofsted report published yesterday.

The ruling was made after the school’s first Ofsted inspection since it opened in 2012.

The report said that “lower-ability students find it difficult to maintain concentration” during lengthy two-hour lessons.

It also found there were “no students currently at the stage where leaders would consider the appropriateness of early examination entry”.

But inspectors praised the behaviour and safety of pupils, reporting that bullying is rare and that students’ attitudes to learning are mostly good.

The UCL Academy is sponsored by University College London (UCL) in Bloomsbury.

The Ham&High has contacted the school and is awaiting a response.

A statement from UCL said: “Although we were disappointed by some elements of the Ofsted report for the UCL Academy, we have found the process productive and fully accept the recommendations from the inspection team, which are entirely in line with the academy’s plans.

“The school is at an early phase in its development, and we expected that this would be reflected in Ofsted’s judgement.

“We continue to work closely with the school and with the governing body on several of the areas identified in the report already, particularly on data monitoring and assessment, and on the ways in which governors engage with the sponsor.

“We will continue to support the school as it works to establish the highest standards for learning, teaching and pupil attainment.

“We are pleased by the report’s affirmation that school leaders make good use of links with the Academy’s sponsor to support students’ development and ambition.

“UCL is fully committed to the vision for The UCL Academy, and to its staff and governors.

“UCL looks forward to continuing to explore how secondary and higher education institutions can work together to improve the life chances and education opportunities available to young people.”