A SCHOOL rocked by accusations of the bullying of teachers has been told it needs to improve, but that progress is being made.

Coundon Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, was investigated by Durham County Council.

Headteacher Linda Halliday was the subject of complaints by fellow teachers, the most serious being bullying.

A new governing body has now been appointed and a stand-in headteacher has been put in place while Mrs Halliday is off work sick.

Ofsted inspectors have rated the school satisfactory, and said staff had a clear view of what needed to be done to improve teaching, the curriculum and using information about pupils’ progress.

Ofsted found that pupils did not always find the work engaging enough and that teachers offered too much help, slowing the pace of learning.

On the positive side, the report found that the headteacher and governing body had acted quickly to stabilise the school after the recent upheaval.

It said there were clear and appropriate plans in place to improve the school, and also found that parents generally supported the school’s leadership.