EDUCATION chiefs have vowed to make changes after a Wensleydale primary school was placed in special measures following a damning Ofsted report.

Teaching standards, the school's management, the school governors and the local authority all came under fire from inspectors after their visit to Hawes Community Primary School.

Ofsted concluded that the school - rated as good following an inspection in 2012 - was now inadequate.

Although inspectors, who visited over two days in December, praised the behaviour of pupils, the quality of some teaching and the school's links with the local community, they said leadership was inadequate, with the leaders' capacity to address weaknesses in teaching and improve outcomes for pupils being poor.

Other issues raised in the report were:

- Leaders did not rigorously check whether teachers and pupils were doing well enough, with teaching quality declining since the last inspection.

- Too few pupils reached the high standards of which they were capable because teachers did not provide sufficient challenge, especially in writing and maths.

- Some pupils who had fallen behind in their learning and those who had special educational needs were not helped to catch up quickly.

- The early years provision and outcomes required improvement. Senior leaders did not regularly and carefully check on the quality of this provision,

resulting in weaknesses continuing over time.

- Governors had underestimated the significance of weak test results, leading to an inaccurate view of how the school was performing. Governors had not been tenacious enough in challenging school leaders. The local authority had also not provided rigorous challenge after concerns about progress were identified.

Ofsted called for an action-plan to improve the overall quality of teaching and to strengthen the school’s leadership, management and governance.

The report concluded: "The Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that this school requires special measures because it is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education and the persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement in the school."

In response, the school’s governing body and North Yorkshire County Council said they were working together to quickly raise standards.

Kevin Tasker, chair of the governors, said: “Hawes primary is supported by a strong community.

“We believe that the issues identified by Ofsted can be addressed quickly. We all remain totally committed to ensuring that our children receive the best quality education possible.”

Officials said partnerships with other local good and outstanding schools were already in place and these would be further developed to share excellent practice and improve teaching standards.

One possibility could be the primary joining with an existing group of schools - Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton - which are working towards a federation in the Upper Dales.

The county council said it would also strengthen leadership and management in a bid to exit special measures as soon as possible.

It is expected that an interim executive board will be formed to take over the running of the school.