A PRIMARY school judged as being good just three years ago has been placed in special measures after Ofsted rated it inadequate in every area.

The education watchdog’s report on Stambridge Primary School, in Stambridge Road, Stambridge, criticised teachers’ performance, senior leaders and the effectiveness of governors in scrutinising the school.

During the last full inspection, in 2011, the mixed school, which has 70 pupils aged between five and 11, was rated as good, but in 2013 it did not meet minimum Government standards in English and maths.

The report, published on Tuesday, found: “In some classes, pupils do not do enough writing and simple errors in punctuation, grammar and spelling are not corrected.

“Incidents of bullying are not dealt with effectively. The school has failed to followup incidents in line with the agreed policy and the behaviour has, inmany cases, persisted.

“The governing body has failed to hold the headteacher to account for the school’s performance.

“Basic systems to check on the quality of teaching and learning are not in place.”

It called for improvements to be made to the quality of teaching, achievement of pupils, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management.

Essex County Council issued a performance, standards and safety warning notice in October 2013 and suspended the school’s control over its budget, after which all the governing body, except the chairman, resigned.

A temporary board is now in place, controlling the budget and associated matters. New governors are currently being recruited.

County Hall has also organised support from a successful local school which is now providing leadership support and staff training.

This tactic has become more common in recent years as, among others, Mary Wilson, of King John School, Thundersley, has been drafted in to help Futures Community College and Chase High School.

Stambridge Primary School and its headteacher, Maureen Sealeaf, declined to comment.