ST Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Devizes has been branded inadequate and put into special measures by Ofsted inspectors.

The news comes as parents were told headteacher Sheila Jones is off sick and parents have been told she will not return this term.

Inspectors who visited in March found that not enough had been done since their previous inspection, which said the school required improvement.

Teachers and governors were hoping the latest inspection would raise their rating to good but instead it was downgraded to inadequate and put into special measures.

Governors are now working with St Edmund's Roman Catholic Primary School, Calne, on a plan of action.

The letter from governors to parents said the report did not make comfortable reading but did highlight some strengths such as an improvement in English and maths, improved behaviour and a warm relationship with teachers.

The report criticises leadership, lack of communication, attainment of some pupils and said children in Key Stage 1 do not always show a positive attitude to their learning.

The letter said: "Whilst we are bitterly disappointed we must accept Ofsted's fundamental conclusion that the school needs a new direction and a new start. This means management and governance."

Mike O'Keefe, head of St Edmunds, which has an outstanding Ofsted report, will work with the school. The letter said: "Mr O'Keefe is already supporting St Joe's during Mrs Jones' absence. Going forward he will have a continuing roll."

The governors have also set up a strategy group as a sub-committee reporting to the main board.

Colleen Collett, director for schools and colleges, Clifton Diocese, said: "Following the recent Ofsted inspection, the governors of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in Devizes are putting in place an action plan to respond to the resulting report.

"The school has sent a letter to all parents along with the report. It clearly explains what action is being taken by the governors in response to the Ofsted report and Clifton Diocese will be working closely with the school, Wiltshire Council and the strategy group to approve and implement an action plan over the coming days."

The Gazette was told this week that no one from St Joseph's, St Edmunds or the governors would add to this statement.

The Ofsted report said the school was put into special measures because:

n The headteacher and the governing body have not taken robust action following significant concerns expressed by parents and staff. Confidence in the school leadership is at an all time low.

n The systems to check how well teachers, including the headteacher, perform are weak. Governors are not holding the school to account rigorously for the performance of all teachers.

n Since the school was last inspected, the headteacher has not led improvements to teaching and learning effectively. Teaching does not help all pupils achieve well enough across the school.

n Teaching is not providing enough challenge to enable more able pupils to progress to higher levels, particularly in writing.

n The work set by teachers is often too easy or too hard. It is not planned at the right level of difficulty for all pupils to make rapid progress, particularly in mathematics.

n Teachers do not always give pupils advice on how to improve their work and reach a higher standard. Marking does not regularly give pupils an insight into their errors of composition, spelling, grammar, punctuation and presentation.

n The leadership of special educational needs is ineffective. Communication with parents is extremely poor. The quality of support provided for disadvantaged pupils, disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is inconsistent.

n Some pupils in Key Stage 1 do not always show positive attitudes to their learning.

Strengths of the school were listed as:

n Children in the early years enjoy their learning. Parents are pleased with how well their children settle into school.

n Pupils attend school regularly. They feel safe because of the warm relationships with teachers.

n The curriculum promotes pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development effectively. Pupils are prepared for life in modern Britain.

n Pupils have positive attitudes to learning in Key Stage 2.