EXCLUSIVE
A BARNSLEY church school that is said to be failing its pupils is to be put into special measures following a government Ofsted inspection.

Worsbrough St Mary's primary was inspected three weeks ago and the report is yet to be released.

But the Chronicle understands that the measure, which is made for schools 'failing' their pupils, will be implemented.

The school, which was midway in the Barnsley school league tables in December, will become the only such school in the borough. Elmhirst secondary, now Barnsley Academy, was brought out of special measures last year.

Coun Linda Burgess said: "It is very disappointing but every help will be given to the school to ensure it moves out of special measures as quickly as possible. It is essential the young people there achieve their full potential."

Inspectors last visited St Mary's in June 2001 when they said it was a 'good school where pupils achieved well above the national average'.

But when they returned at the end of February they found areas of concern. St Mary's will go into special measures unless Ofsted can be convinced otherwise by the governors and school management team.

No-one from Ofsted will comment on the situation until the official report is released within the next few days. But a spokesman said such drastic action would only be taken when a school was failing its pupils and lacked leadership.

Ofsted's draft report has been presented to the headteacher John Krill and the school's board of governors. Mr Krill, who has been headteacher for 16 months, refused to comment on it.