A HIGH school has received its third inadequate rating in a row from inspectors.

Fearns Community Sports College in Stacksteads has been rated as inadequate in areas including the quality of teaching, learning and assessment and outcomes for pupils.

Education watchdog Ofsted has placed the school into special measures.

Lead inspector Ahmed Marikar said in a report that leaders and governors know that the school is not good enough.

He said: “Their actions to bring about improvement have been hampered by a lack of clarity about the school’s future, financial concerns and considerable turbulence in leadership and staff.

“As a result, progress towards ensuring that pupils receive an acceptable standard of education has been too slow.

“The quality of teaching remains inadequate and pupils’ achievement is weak."

Among the failings identified included pupils' writing skills not being developed effectively across a range of subjects, and that while attendance was improving, it remains below the national average.

The inspection at the school, which has 285 pupils aged 11 to 16, took place in January and follows on from other inspections in 2016 and 2014 which also rated it as inadequate.

Helen Stead, headteacher, said that Ofsted found many things to praise about the school, including that children feel safe, are polite and loyal and their wellbeing is supported.

She said: “Whilst we are extremely disappointed with the outcome, we accept the inspectors’ findings and will continue to work hard to drive further improvements in those areas where we can do better.

“A long-term improvement plan is already in place to help us to raise attainment and to make sure that progress continues to happen quickly.

“The leadership team is committed to working together effectively to drive improvements with the full support of the staff and governors, and we have put focussed plans in place to ensure that this happens.”

She added: “I’d like to reassure parents that there is evidence of improvement already, particularly in key areas.

“We are all committed to making sure that these improvements, and a positive change, continue.

“We were pleased that the inspectors recognised many of the improvements that have been made since the last inspection.”