A failing school has been put into special measures after being judged to be “inadequate” by the education watchdog.

Ofsted inspectors made the decision to take action at Southdown Junior School in Church Hill, Newhaven, after a visit.

They said pupils were not being taught well enough and that teaching staff and governors seemed unable to solve the problems.

Headteacher Jane Reed has now resigned for what East Sussex County Council described as “personal reasons” and officials from the local authority have stepped in to offer extra support to staff as they implement an urgent improvement plan.

Christine Terrey, the headteacher of Grays School in Newhaven, will become the executive headteacher of Southdown.

She will continue to lead Grays but will spend some of her time at Southdown working with staff and governors.