A JUNIOR school in Cam has been rated ‘inadequate by Ofsted and placed in special measures.

If the school does not meet the education watchdog’s standards after further inspections they may move to close the school.

Inspected in January, Ofsted highlighted that staff at Cam Woodfield Junior School in Elstub Lane must make a rapid improvement to their quality of teaching, safeguarding and leadership.

The report acknowledges that the new headteacher Helen Dean has a good understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses and is taking positive actions to address these.

There was also praise for the work by staff to help their pupils with special educational needs.

Ms Dean said: “Everyone involved in the school is absolutely committed to providing the best possible education for our pupils.

“We are obviously disappointed in the report’s findings, however I’m pleased that our efforts to date have been recognised and we will take this opportunity to rapidly move the school forward.

“I am sure that, with the support of governors, staff, the county council and our parents, we will make the changes identified in Ofsted’s report as soon as possible.”

An inadequate rating is the fourth and lowest on the educational watchdog’s scale, the school was rated ‘good’ – the second highest – in 2012 and 2002, but received the third lowest ‘satisfactory’ (now called ‘requires improvement’) in 2010 and 2007.

Emma Irvine, co-chairman of Cam Woodfield Junior School’s governing body with Nicola Evered said: “We are working hard to address the issues highlighted by the report.

“With the efforts of staff and the continued support of our parents, we are sure that we will be able to follow Ofsted’s recommendations and rapidly improve the standards of this school.”

A team from the county council will now work closely with the school’s governors and teachers to address the issues identified in January.

Head of education performance and intervention at Gloucestershire County Council Jane Lloyd-Davies, said: “We will continue to give the school all the support they need.

“We are working closely with the headteacher, staff and board of governors to make sure there is a clear plan in place, so that the quality of teaching is consistently good and, most importantly, the rate of pupil progress increases rapidly.”