A Thornton Heath school which has "not made sure that pupils are safe" has been rated "inadequate" by the government's schools watchdog Ofsted.

CACFO Uk Education Centre, on Northwood Road, is an independent school for children with "behavioural issues" that currently has just six students enrolled.

An Ofsted inspector found that students were being put at risk because of a lack of safeguarding arrangements.

The inspector said in a report: "School leaders do not follow the safeguarding policy and the statutory guidance, ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2016)."

"This potentially puts pupils at risk of harm and has a negative impact on pupils’ welfare and safety."

Despite providing a "nurturing environment," the inspector found that the leadership of teaching was inconsistent.

"There is insufficient focus on pupils’ academic progress, and information about pupils is not always used effectively to support pupils’ learning.

"Likewise, feedback to staff about their teaching does not have enough focus on pupils’ learning and progress so teachers are unable to improve."

However, on a positive note, the Ofsted report did find that pupils at the school said "they feel safe" and at the end of their time at the education centre, students' behavioural issues had been addressed, and "a high proportion of pupils are re-integrated successfully into the secondary school provision."

The school is a joint project between Croydon Council and the CACFO charity (Croydon African Caribbean Family Organisation).

At the previous inspection in 2013 the school was given a 'good' rating.

Interim head teacher Patricia Oliver said she was disappointed by the new rating, but said steps were being taken to improve the school.

"Our pupils are some of the most challenging in Croydon and are with us for short periods because of their behavioural issues," she said.

"An action plan has been drawn up to address all of the points raised by Ofsted and trustees have stepped in to install new governance arrangements.

"The council has played a leading role in management and leadership at the school and has undertaken quality assurance work as part of this collaboration."