STAFF and governors at a south Wiltshire school are working towards becoming a centre of excellence, despite being put into special measures.

Farley All Saints Primary School has received a highly critical report from Ofsted inspectors following a two-day assessment in January.

But despite major criticisms of the school's management and the quality of teaching and learning - chairman of governors Geoff Ramsey remains optimistic that the school can turn things round and achieve beacon status in the future.

He said: "We have an acting head who was with us at the time of the inspection, and we have drawn up an action plan and everybody is currently involved.

"Some of the issues that were raised are already being dealt with, and we know exactly what we need to do. We have always had very good parental support and the parents' overall reaction seems to be, 'Let's get on and deal with the issue'."

The school, which has 53 pupils and three full-time staff, was deemed "unsatisfactory" by the Ofsted inspectors, who felt that it lacked "direction and purpose", that its curriculum planning was unsatisfactory and that some of its pupils were under- performing.

Inspectors signalled that key points raised in the school's 1998 inspection had not been addressed, but they said pupils' behaviour and their spiritual, moral and social development was good.

The school's ethos, level of care and links with the community were also commended, along with parental support.

A spokesman for Ofsted said: "The inspection reports for schools put in special measures are different from those for a normal school inspection.

"They require a detailed plan of action by the school, with a timetable for when improvements will be realised.

"The LEA is required to state how it will support the school, and the school will be monitored over the next two years and reinspected."

Winterslow Primary School headteacher Peter Ward took over as acting head at Farley in December, after existing head Colin Johnson went on sick leave.

Mr Ward is now working in partnership with Wiltshire county council's general primary adviser to draw up an action plan for the school.