A Darlington comprehensive has been given the worst possible ranking by Government education inspectors - the second school in the town to be placed in "special measures" in three years.

Ofsted inspectors visited Branksome School and found that many pupils were underachieving, that a significant amount of teaching was unsatisfactory and that governance was poor.

Lead inspector Ted Wheatley concludes in a report published today: "Improvement since the last inspection in May 1999 has been unsatisfactory. Standards are still too low and achievement is unsatisfactory.

"Teaching is worse than it was at the last inspection. Attendance is still unsatisfactory."

Headteacher Howard Gilfillan described the judgement as a shock.

"I don't think we deserve it," he said. "To me this is not a special measures school. There is a great enthusiasm and a great desire among the staff to actually move the school forward."

He said he was aware of the school's weaknesses and had been trying to improve standards since taking up his post last May.

"The timing was so unfortunate for us that it feels a bit like a kick in the teeth, but we have got to accept it."

"It is upsetting, but it's going to bring with it a lot of support for the school."

Mr Wheatley criticised the school's governing body in his report. He said: "Governance is poor, with governors knowing too little about how the school functions and having insecure procedures to deal with their responsibilities."

Dr John Lloyd, governors' board chairman, said: "I think the report is very harsh on the school and has some very hard criticisms of people.

"I just disagree totally with the comments he has made in his judgement. Some of us on the governing body have spent hours and hours at the school."

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "We have worked with the school to develop an action plan and the teachers and governors have responded superbly.

"The signs of recovery are already visible and I am confident that the school will soon be out of special measures."

Eastbourne School was put into special measures in 2002 but was taken out last year after forming a federation with high-achieving Hurworth School Maths and Computing College.