A mid Norfolk primary school has been placed in special measures after it was rated inadequate amid concerns around its safeguarding and leadership.
Ofsted inspectors found Brisley Primary School, in Dereham, had not 'maintained an acceptable standard of education'.
The school was last inspected in 2011 and was rated outstanding, which meant it was exempt from routine inspections.
It has now been rated inadequate and placed in special measures, according to a report published on Thursday, June 28, which states the 'quality of teaching, learning and assessment has declined and is inadequate'.
Inspectors also noted an 'ineffective safeguarding culture' at the school, with processes for checking on the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable pupils described as unreliable.
Ofsted visited Brisley Primary on May 9 to 10 and rated the school inadequate on four out of the six inspection criteria, with early years provision and personal development graded as requiring improvement.
The report described the school as 'heavily reliant on the support of the local authority' and stated 'leaders, including governors, do not demonstrate sufficient capacity to improve'.
It added that headteacher Helen McMurray, who took up the role last September, was due to leave the school, and 'consequently, leadership and the improvements made are fragile'.
But inspectors praised pupils as polite and welcoming and said the staff were proud to work there.
A spokesperson for Brisley Primary School said: 'We are working very closely with the local authority to bring about the improvements that we know are needed at the school.
'We want our pupils to have access to the best education and it is clear we need to do more to ensure that our children can benefit from the very best teaching and learning.'
They added: 'Steps have already been taken to improve staff training and to better track pupils' progress and safeguarding concerns have been fully addressed.
'We will continue to work with the local authority to ensure we make the rapid improvements that are needed.'
Brisley Primary School was among eight local authority schools in Norfolk given warnings by the county council this academic year.
Read more: Eight Norfolk schools given council warnings over standards
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