A SHEFFIELD school which was the lowest ranked in the city in last year's primary league tables has been placed on the 'failing' blacklist by inspectors.
Bankwood Primary in Gleadless Valley was found to give its pupils unacceptable standards of education and its leaders were not showing they had the capacity to bring about necessary improvements.
In 2007's tests fewer than a quarter of the childre
n were reaching the expected standard in English and maths.
The school ran into further problems late last year when the headteacher was suspended pending an investigation into financial irregularities.
Since then the school has had two other heads, the second appointed as acting head shortly before Easter.
The inspection team found standards had declined year on year since their previous visit and most pupils were making too little progress, particularly in English.
By the time youngsters left the school their standards in English and maths were exceptionally low and the quality of the teaching was inadequate, with too many weaknesses and inconsistencies.
A particular problem was that faster learners were not being challenged enough, while the school's effectiveness was also hampered by poor levels of attendance.
Paul Makin, acting executive director of children's and young people's services, said the authority was urgently addressing the issues.
"We have strengthened the leadership in the school – a headteacher from another primary school is supporting Bankwood and this contribution to turning the school around is recognised in this Ofsted report.
"We are working extremely hard to support the school to make the necessary improvements so that children and families in this community are served well."
The full article contains 273 words and appears in Sheffield Telegraph newspaper.
