A SCHOOL has been placed on special measures following a critical Ofsted report.

Inspectors found significant problems with the leadership and management at St Cuthbert's RC Primary School, Grindon Lane, Sunderland.

They particularly highlighted the poor working relationship between the headteacher, Sister Mary Stephen, and the chairman of governors.

The report also said that attainment at Key Stage Two was unsatisfactory due to weak teaching and the school does not provide value for money.

Sister Mary and nine of the governors resigned from the school last week ahead of the publication of the report.

Christine Taylor has taken temporary charge and new governors have been appointed. A new headteacher is expected to be appointed in January.

Terry Walsh, deputy director of Sunderland LEA, said: "The important thing now is to draw a line in the sand, look to the future and use the report to develop the action plan and move forward.

"We are confident we can do that very quickly and many of those changes are already under way."