A SCHOOL in Bromsgrove has been told it is 'failing' and has been officially placed into special measures by Ofsted, despite being rated 'outstanding' in its last inspection.

A surprise inspection was carried out at Sidemoor First School in May, where inspectors found the quality of teaching to be 'weak', while some pupils were making 'no progress'.

The damning report, which was released online today, claims teachers were not being held to account by leaders, nor did they support pupils to develop their writing or apply their maths skills.

Teachers did not correct students' basic misconceptions in English, or 'insist that pupils produce their best work'.

The curriculum was poorly planned, failed to develop children's skills in a range of subjects and did not meet pupils' needs.

Disabled and special needs students did not have the basic skills and abilities to take part in the activities set for them in some lessons, and not a single disadvantaged pupil had achieved a greater than average depth of learning in writing at key stage one in 2016.

The only category in which the school achieved a 'good' rating was early years provision.

Inspectors did say, however, that the school had a 'caring ethos' which supported children's emotional well-being and that students felt safe being at school.

Early years children were polite and making good progress in their learning.

A parent at the Perryfields Road school, who wishes to remain anonymous, said they were 'in bits for concern' over the well-being of their child.

"We all want the best for our children and this is not the start of a long road of education we anticipated.

"Education is the starting path in life and is a crucial part of our children's futures, so this news comes with great concern and a lot of unanswered questions."

Sidemoor First was rated 'outstanding' - the highest possible grade offered by Ofsted - at the last inspection in 2010.

Mari Jones, headteacher at Sidemoor First School and Nursery, said: "We are all extremely disappointed with the outcome of the Ofsted inspection and we appreciate it will be a concern for parents and guardians.

"We acknowledge the findings and have taken several steps already to ensure that we are implementing the rapid improvements that Ofsted identified are needed. Our staff are passionate and understand the ethos and vision we are working towards to secure immediate positive change.

"The school and its staff are absolutely committed to working alongside parents and the local community to address the recommendations made in the Ofsted report and we are confident that we can successfully implement the improvements that are needed to move the school forward.

"We will work closely with Ofsted and Worcestershire County Council to gain a clear understanding of what needs to be done to improve outcomes for our pupils.

"Despite the disappointing overall rating, the inspectors from Ofsted did recognise some strengths of the school including the effective safeguarding procedures in place and the caring ethos across the school. Early Years was rated separately to be good."

She added that 92 per cent of parents said they would recommend the school on Parent View, and that she had received several emails since the report's release, saying parents 'do not recognise the school from the report'.