OFSTED inspectors have put a Dover school in special measures after finding it “inadequate” in most respects.

St Edmund’s Catholic School has been having a troubled time following the resignation of executive head teacher Chris Atkin in December.

A management team from St George’s C of E Foundation School, Broadstairs, was brought in, led by Kim Stoner and her two deputies Richard Billings and Adam Mirans.

Inspectors visited St Edmund’s in January, and issued their report on Thursday. They said the overall effectiveness of the school, pupils’ achievement, the quality of teaching and the leadership and management were all inadequate, and the behaviour and safety of pupils required improvement.

“This is a school that requires special measures,” said lead inspector Robert Ellis in the report.

“Too many students, including disabled students, those who have special educational needs and those who speak English as an additional language, make inadequate progress. As a result, students’ attainment at the end of Year 11 has been significantly below average.

“Teaching is inadequate. Teachers do not provide work matched to the needs and prior attainment of their students.

“Students’ conduct has improved significantly but they are not always ready to learn.

“Despite very recent improvements, leaders, managers and governors have not addressed the shortcomings identified in the previous inspection and have not significantly slowed the decline in the school’s performance.

Full story in today's Dover Mercury.