A SCHOOL has been been placed in special measures.

Barling Magna Community Primary School, in Little Wakering Road, Southend, was branded inadequate in how effective the leadership is and the outcome for pupils.

It was also told it required improvement in the quality of teaching, the personal welfare of pupils and early years provision.

In its last inspection in 2014, it was found to require improvement.

The report reads: “Since the last inspection, leaders and governors have been slow to make changes in the school and have failed to secure sufficient, sustained improvement. The achievement of too many pupils is inadequate.”

The report continues that although the quality of teaching, learning and assessment is improving, there are still areas across the school where it is not good enough.

It also says that poor behaviour is not being addressed sufficiently.

Headteacher Marion Still said the school was committed to ensuring the best possible standard of education for its pupils and was pleased Ofsted had acknowledged the happy and friendly atmosphere as well as the strong teaching in Year Six.

She added: “Other elements of the report are very disappointing, particularly the failure of inspectors to acknowledge the school’s excellent KS2 SATs results, which were received just a few days after the inspection and were well above the national average.

“Subsequent progress data also shows pupils are making more progress in reading, writing and maths than the national average. A number of positive changes have already been implemented since the inspection and, moving forward, my staff and I are committed to raising standards, and improving pupil progress and attainment further.”