DESPITE the efforts of new acting headteacher Judith Meek, Greenhead Primary School is continuing to struggle, an Ofsted monitoring inspection has found.

Inspectors ruled in April that the Church of England school required improvement, and the latest Ofsted visit indicated insufficient progress had been made.

Mrs Meek, who retired as headteacher of Hexham East First School earlier this year, had only been in post at Greenhead a matter of weeks when the monitoring inspection took place.

But while praising the impact she had made, Ofsted criticised senior leaders, governors, Northumberland County Council, and the Diocese of Newcastle, for not acting quickly enough to cover for the absence of full-time head Judith Reay.

Ofsted’s latest report concluded: “The rate of improvement in the five months since the April inspection has been too slow.

“Without the clear direction of an experienced leader over the last term, inconsistent approaches to the teaching of reading, a culture of low expectations among staff and weak accountability systems have gone unchallenged. Pupils and staff deserve better.

“Governors have made some hasty decisions in the absence of wider local authority solutions. They have not been supported or challenged in the approaches they have taken.

“As a result, classroom teachers have taken interim senior leadership positions without the necessary experience, time or support.”

Cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council, Coun. Robert Arckless said: “Since the inspection, the county council has worked with governors, diocese and staff at the school to make improvements and to ensure that the school has strong leadership.

“Ofsted inspectors have clearly recognised the improvements made since the appointment of the new head teacher who has already made a positive impact.”

“We are committed to continuing to work with the school and the diocese to ensure that the recommendations from the report and letter are fully addressed.”

Ofsted’s call for improvements at Greenhead is the latest challenge for the West Tyne Federation of Schools.

Last month, it was announced that Herdley Bank Primary will close next year due to a rapid fall in pupil numbers. And Whitfield Primary has been in special measures since last year.