A FAILING school has been placed in special measures – just three years after being named one of the best in Essex.

Ofsted inspectors blamed the relationship between the headteacher and deputy headteacher at Leigh Beck Infant School and Nursery, in Point Road, Canvey, for the school’s “drastic decline”.

This week they rated it “inadequate’’, three years after hailing it as “outstanding’’.

Serious concerns were raised about the quality of teaching, the behaviour and safety of pupils, leadership and management and achievement of pupils.

The latest rating means the school will be regularly monitored by the education watchdog.

During a visit last month, inspectors said the “strained relationship’’ between Gill Chapman and her deputy, Helen Greensill, had a negative impact on the school and resulted in its drastic decline.

Ofsted said the pair had not worked well together.

The head has since been signed off on long- term sick leave. Other failings included:

Teachers have poor knowledge of howto teach reading and writing

Work set is not linked to ability and is often not challenging enough for pupils

Children do not feel safe during break times because of poor supervision

Procedures for dealing with bad behaviour are not rigorous enough

Books are not marked regularly and feedback is unhelpful

Pupils are easily distracted in lessons and often disrupt classmates

Staff are too generous in assessments of their teaching quality

Declining pupil attendance is not being addressed Dave Blackwell, leader of Canvey Island Independent Party, said he was shocked by the scathing Ofsted report.

He said: “I visited the school only a month ago, so I was gobsmacked to find out it has been placed in special measures.

“The report is very critical of almost everything.

“Of all the schools on Canvey, Leigh Beck was always great. It was the school everyone wanted their kids to go to.

“It just goes to show, if you take your finger off the button this is what happens. I’m sure the parents will be very concerned, but we can assure them the school will be turned around and it won't take long to bring it back to where it should be.’’ Leigh Beck, which opened more than 70 years ago, has 331 pupils, from three to seven-years-old.

The school declined to comment when approached by the Echo.