AN Isle of Wight school has been placed in special measures after being branded as "failing" by Ofsted.
Shanklin CE Primary school was judged "inadequate" in all categories by the schools watchdog, which said the way the primary school had dealt with re-organisation had been a factor in its problems.
Ofsted’s report, which was passed to parents by the school, was critical of the achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management.
While it praised the behaviour of most pupils, it said the "very challenging behaviour" of a few disrupted the learning of the many on a daily basis.
The report said: "Major changes to schooling arrangements in the local authority and the development of the school site have distracted senior leaders from driving school improvement sufficiently rigorously."
In a letter to parents, the school's chairman of governors, Richard Priest, said: "We are all fully committed to ensuring the school provides the best learning experience for every child. We are deeply sorry that we did not address the issues raised in the report sooner."
Mr Priest said today (Thursday): "The Ofsted inspection took place in May and we have only just received it now.
"Much of what it says has been overtaken by the measures we have already put in place at the school."
Mr Priest, who was re-elected chairman last week, said: "For 18 months we had an acting headteacher and we have had the challenge of re-organisation. There is also a 'bulge’ in pupil numbers which means we are running over-capacity.
"We have a new headteacher and we are seeking Church of England academy status. Measures have been taken to improve behaviour and support has been put in place for teachers to ensure standards improve."
Gatten and Lake Primary School is making satisfactory progress since being placed into special measures earlier this year, Ofsted said.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk