An Epsom faith school is closing after receiving a damning Ofsted report in which it was branded 'inadequate' in every category.

The Cornerstone School, in West Hill, Epsom, was condemned by the watchdog’s chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw on a number of counts, including the fact pupils ‘said they had a limited view of the world’.

The report added pupils ‘were not given sufficient opportunities to learn about different cultures and the perspectives of others'.

Following the report the school's head teacher announced he would be stepping down, forcing the private school to close.

Headteacher Grahame Davies said: "The mountain of demands made by Ofsted meant that, after over 27 years as headteacher, I felt I was not the person to take the school forward.

"Our unique setting means that this is much easier said than done, so the governors realised they had little option but to close the school."

Prior to the Ofsted report the school taught just 37 pupils between the ages of five and 16, but that number has dwindled to just 15.

The school lists its aims to be ‘obedient to God in all things as revealed in the Bible’, and to allow ‘Christianity to permeate the curriculum, running and the life of the school’.

In 2005 Cornerstone was one of four faith schools to attempt to overturn a ban on smacking pupils, arguing the law infringed their religious freedom to provide a Bible-based education.

Sir Wilshaw said in the report: "Leaders and managers at the Cornerstone School, a school of Christian character, have not ensured that pupils are receptive to the views of people who may have different beliefs and values to their own."

Mr Davies said: "Our school community is very upset and sad about this - it is not something that any of our parents wanted.

"The Ofsted inspectors acknowledged that Cornerstone parents are overwhelmingly happy with, and supportive of, the school.

"Our parents do not agree with Ofsted that Cornerstone is an inadequate school. What right does Ofsted have to overrule the wishes of parents?

"Ofsted seem to be undermining the principle that children belong to their parents, not the state."

The report also concluded the school ‘has not provided a curriculum that enables pupils to develop their aesthetic and creative knowledge and skills’.

It went on to state: "The Cornerstone School was not promoting school sport well and pupils have not had the opportunity to learn drama, dance, music, technology or art during school time.

"Governors did not routinely challenge leaders about the quality of teaching and its impact on pupils’ progress.

"Systems were not in place to performance manage teachers and help them to improve."

Cornerstone was one of nine faith schools across the UK inspected by Ofsted which were found to be ‘inadequate’, with a further eight told they ‘required improvement’.

It has yet to be announced when the school will close.