Stalham junior school has been listed among those put into special measures after a spring swoop by Ofsted inspectors in Norfolk.

It was among six rated inadequate after Ofsted visited 28 schools between March 12-22.

Inspectors said: “Since the previous inspection, too little has been done to improve the quality of teaching and the leadership and management of the school. These are now inadequate.

“The inadequate teaching results in pupils’ underachievement. Teachers do not expect enough from pupils and work is not matched sufficiently to pupils’ different abilities, including those with special educational needs.”

The report added: “The headteacher (Kim Breen) has worked hard to raise the staff’s expectations, but she does not always get the right support from other leaders and managers.”

Positives included the many activities provided by the school, and the “wide range of opportunities” for pupils to write in lessons and to work on their own.

Pupils were keen to come to school and their attendance was above average.

Reacting to the report Mrs Breen said: “Everyone associated with our school is deeply disappointed with Ofsted’s judgement of our school but we are determined to improve from here.

“We have a hard-working and ambitious team of teaching staff and governors, and we will be doing everything in our power to make sure our pupils receive the very best.

“We have made a number of improvements to the school, some of which were highlighted in the report. Inspectors noted pupils’ improvements in writing and mathematics, and mentioned our efforts to introduce extra reading sessions through our reading café.

“We’re very proud of our pupils, so it was particularly pleasing that Ofsted recognised that children were keen to take on responsibility and help each other as reading buddies and monitors.

“We know we need to raise our overall standards and have a rigorous action plan in place for improving our school.

“We have plenty of work to do but I feel with our focussed action plan and committed staff and governors, we are ready to rise to the challenge. I am confident that with the support of parents, governors and the local authority, we can make Stalham Junior an exceptional school.”