INSPECTORS say leaders at St Anthony’s School in Cinderford are not doing enough to take the school out of special measures.

The school received an inadequate Ofsted report in May 2015 and has struggled to turn things around due to a very high turnover of governors and frequent changes of leadership.

Inspector Lorna Brackstone, who visited the school in July, said the school continues to suffer from significant staff changes.

“Four new governors have been appointed since my previous visit and there is recruitment underway for additional governors.

“The school’s action plan is appropriately aligned to the areas identified for improvement in the report.

But Lorna Middleton the newly appointed headteacher hopes to turn the school’s fortunes around.

She said: ”The Ofsted report was very negative as it suggested that the future of St Anthony’s was in doubt.

“This is certainly not the case.

"We are the only school based within the community in which we serve and consequently most children walk to school.

"There have been a number of suggestions that St Anthony’s could move, but we are keen on staying on this site.

"The building itself has its faults, but it is located in the heart of the community and is welcoming.

"There is something about the ethos of the school that is special which will mean it will go from strength to strength.

The school which does not have a sponsor recently secured £700,000 worth of funding to address the building’s health and safety requirements and upgrade its IT provision.

Ms Middleton added: “School leaders are committed and determined to ensure that St Anthony’s goes from strength to strength and will let nothing stand in the way of our direct action to produce the best school possible for the benefit of our local community.”