THERE is a knock at the door of Howard Gilfillan's office as he explains why inspectors from education watchdog Ofsted have placed Branksome School into the "serious measures" category - the worst ranking for a school and the final stage before possible closure.

It is a heavy discussion but he answers the door with a smile and chats good-naturedly to a teenage boy who proudly shows off a report card covered in stars.

The lad wanders off, pleased with the praise he has received, and Mr Gilfillan explains: "I have a lot of them come to me personally, the ones with behaviour problems, because I want to know that they are improving. I know the potential is there for them to succeed."

Mr Gilfillan has more reason than ever to take a keen interest in his pupils' performance.

An Ofsted report published today finds that a significant minority of pupils is "unruly, aggressive and frequently disrupts lessons", with many children showing little interest in lessons and a large minority showing "little loyalty to or pride in their school".

Teachers come in for criticism too, with standards in maths, geography, French and PE described as unsatisfactory.

The school's "poor" governing body receives the worst assessment, having "little understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses".

Indeed, it seems only Mr Gilfillan, whose leadership is described as good, and staff teaching art and design, where standards are well above average, escape criticism.

Mr Gilfillan, a PE teacher who was appointed headteacher last May, now faces the unenviable task of pulling the 791-pupil school out of the mire and convincing inspectors in future months that it should remain open.

He seems unfazed by the task, excited, even, at the challenge that lies ahead.

"I'm taking over a team but they are going to relegate us in the first season," he says. "It's extreme, but what it does is generate support and resources for the school.

"I believe Branksome is a school that's been underfunded for years. This can do a hell of a lot to benefit the whole of the neighbourhood, never mind the school."

He admits there is not the aspiration among pupils to succeed, but he has brought in a raft of measures since becoming headteacher to change that.

They include strict enforcement of uniform, improvements to the building, new discipline procedures and an attempt to stabilise staff turnover.

He has also gone out with police officers to identify pupils who are causing problems on the estate.

He says: "I don't think closure is a threat. This side of the town needs a school. This estate needs Branksome School."

He believes the school has to be seen as part of the community.

"The children have got to see it as part of their lives," he says.

"I have got a great feeling about what the future could hold."

The local education authority clearly believes he is the man to get Branksome back on track.

Councillor Chris McEwan, the authority's cabinet member for children's services, says: "The school has an excellent headteacher who has introduced many new initiatives which are already having a positive impact."

Dr John Lloyd, chairman of the governors, agrees, saying: "We think that our new headteacher has done extremely well. Under his leadership, I think the school can turn itself around."