A PRIMARY school has been placed in special measures by Ofsted inspectors.

A new Ofsted report said the quality of education at Hopton Primary School in Mirfield was not good enough.

A new headteacher is being brought in to raise standards at the failing school on Woodend Road, Lower Hopton.

Inspectors visited the school last November and found that standards in English, science, information technology and religious education were too low.

But standards in maths were above average.

The school was also praised for its efforts to strengthen the curriculum, improve the effectiveness of staff and track the progress of its 280 pupils.

Ofsted inspectors did not criticise large class sizes in Years 3 to 6, but parents have expressed concerns and are hoping the new headteacher will look at the issue.

Inspectors recognised that the school had faced extreme staffing difficulties because of long-term absence, retirement, promotions and maternity leave.

At the time of the inspection five of the school's 10 teachers were new.

Inspectors said the school had suffered from poor management, but praised acting headteacher Barbara Lockwood for "working tirelessly in challenging circumstances to provide the school with a clear direction".

She had been running the school since former headteacher Carl Heywood retired last year, due to ill- health.

His post was advertised as soon as he retired and the school has a new headteacher, Andy Blakeley.

He managed to turn round his current Leeds school, which was failing until he became head eight years ago.

Mr Blakeley will start work at Hopton Primary after Easter.

He was introduced to parents at a meeting to discuss the Ofsted report.

Governors' chairwoman Mrs Lesley Swire said: "We are delighted to welcome Mr Blakeley. We are sure his skills and experience in turning round a `failing' school will be of great benefit to Hopton Primary.

"We are convinced that if staff, parents and governors support him the school will thrive and once again become very successful."

At the meeting, an action plan was drafted, setting out how the Ofsted criticisms can be dealt with.

This will be sent to Ofsted and inspectors will regularly check how well the school is carrying out the plans.

A Kirklees Council spokeswoman said: "It has been a difficult time for Hopton Primary, but we hope the meeting answered most of the parents' concerns and that parents were reassured that all these matters are in hand and their children's futures secured."