A TOWN centre college has been branded inadequate by inspectors amid uncertainty about its long-term future.

In a report published on Friday, New Campus Basildon Studio School, in Great Oaks, Basildon, was criticised by Ofsted for low achievement and poor standards of teaching.

The school can cater for up to 340 students, but had just 176 youngsters on its books at the time of January's inspection.

It opened in September 2013 with Seevic College, based in Thundersley, as its main sponsor.

The college has since given up all representation on the studio school governing body, and has announced it is in talks with the Government about surrendering its sponsorship.

New Campus Basildon offers vocational courses for youngsters aged 14 to 19 in areas including health and social care, sport, art, media and music.

Ofsted has criticised Seevic for the support it provided to the school, claiming its governors "failed to provide sufficient challenge."

In the report, lead inspector John Lucas said: "The main sponsor, Seevic College, has in the past provided a range of support for the school.

"Aspects of this support were not appropriate for the context of the school. This slowed the speed at which the school has been able to develop.

"The sponsor no longer holds a place on the governing body, and there has been a handover of many of the support services that it provided to the leaders and managers in the school."

Despite the overall inadequate rating, the inspector acknowledged progress made by principal Jasmine West.

Mr Lucas said: "The principal has appointed senior leaders who are demonstrating the skills and determination needed to improve the quality of teaching, the accuracy of assessment and raise academic standards.

"The highly determined principal has created an environment in which pupils and learners, many of whom have previously not enjoyed or attended school on a regular basis, feel cared for and safe."

Seevic principal Nick Spenceley resigned from the school's board of governors in September.

He said: "Seevic College has, since last summer, been in talks with the Department for Education about transferring sponsorship of the studio school to another organisation.

"The college has not been represented on the governing body since last September, and most support services, such as finance and HR, have been transferred to the studio school's own control.

"It is anticipated that a new sponsor will be agreed before next term."

New Campus Basildon Studio School was placed under financial restrictions by the Government's Education Funding Agency in June 2015 amid concerns about a "significant deficit".

The school was ordered to clear all financial transactions with the watchdog after irregularities, including an unpaid loan from Seevic, were questioned.