A primary school which five years ago was in the top half of those in East Sussex, has been put in special measures.
Inspectors from Ofsted found standards at Telscombe Cliffs Primary School were inadequate and needed to make rapid improvement.
It marks the nadir in the school’s performance having been rated 59th in East Sussex’s league table of primary schools in 2007.
The school and East Sussex County Council have met to discuss the report and put plans in place to ensure standards improve.
Headteacher Gill Webb said: “I am very disappointed with this report and we know this presents us with significant challenges.
“However I do know we are well placed to address these weaknesses.”
A statement issued by the school governors said they believed the report provided a “great opportunity” to make Telscombe Cliffs better.
It added: “We would like to acknowledge our hard working, loyal and committed staff and we look forward to working with our staff, parents and most importantly our children, to secure positive future outcomes for Telscombe Cliffs.”
Some good news
The key issues raised by inspectors were standards in writing and maths, the overall quality of teaching, weaknesses in leadership and management across the school and the governors not having a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school.
The report was not all negative, with Ofsted inspectors highlighting how pupils’ behaviour was reported as being good and that pupils particularly enjoy lessons where teachers made links between subjects.
They also said that pupils felt safe and that attendance was above average.
Ofsted also praised the good attention the school provided for pupils’ welfare.
The report raises the question of whether the school will be forced to become an academy.
Education Minister Michael Gove wrote to Sussex MPs last month criticising East Sussex County Council and saying primary schools were not improving enough.
He made clear his preference was for every failing primary school to become a sponsored academy.
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