A SCHOOL for troubled pupils has received a damning report by education inspectors - failing in 25 out of 26 categories.

The Ofsted report on the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), in Darlington, is the worst the town has ever seen, with the school deemed inadequate in meeting 25 key requirements.

At the time of inspection, the PRU had a truancy rate of 42 per cent among its older pupils and almost 27 per cent among its younger students.

Its headteacher has been on sick leave since about the time of the Ofsted inspection and at the moment the school only has one permanent teacher on its staff.

Ofsted has put the school, which takes pupils who have been excluded from other schools, into special measures - the worst possible category.

The news comes as a major blow to Darlington Borough Council, after Branksome School - formerly the borough's only failing school - was given a clean bill of health earlier this month.

The PRU is based at McMullen House, in Yarm Road, and at a centre in Gladstone Street, and has about 80 pupils who have been excluded from the town's secondary schools.

Ofsted said the school had inadequate teaching, learning, standards, attendance, care, guidance and support for pupils.

It also failed to help learners adopt safe practices, healthy lifestyles or make a valuable contribution to the community.

Alison Walton, the council's assistant director of children's services, said: "We were disappointed the report was so negative about the PRU. There were some good things that were said, like the staff were committed and dedicated.

"We were aware that there were some areas of weakness, but we were disappointed that the PRU went into special measures," said Ms Walton.

The report highlights the difficulties of having the PRU based over two sites.

It is due to move into the former Rise Carr Primary School building in January 2008 - with the building getting a £2m revamp.

Most of the weaknesses in the Ofsted report were found at McMullen House, which educates older pupils, rather than Gladstone Street.

Ms Walton said a scheme to send older pupils to Darlington College for vocational training had been very successful and would be expanded.

Last year, 15 PRU students took part in this scheme and all had now registered in further education.

This year, 25 PRU students and 75 pupils from other secondary schools will study at Darlington College.

Ms Walton said an interim management team had been put in place at the PRU, as headteacher Carole Akam has been on sick leave since the inspection.

She said: "The staff are working really hard to bring about the improvements described in the report. An action plan has been submitted to Ofsted."

The council has denied claims made to The Northern Echo that there is widespread disorder at McMullen House.