THE new headteacher and governors of Winkleigh Primary School have pledged to improve standards rapidly after the school was put on 'special measures' by OFSTED inspectors.

Jane Rivans, who took up the post of headteacher in April, said standards were already on the up and two new full-time teachers had been appointed.

OFSTED inspectors concluded that almost a quarter of lessons were unsatisfactory and nine per cent poor at the school, which is one of three out of 373 in the county currently on special measures to improve education.

The report described how the quality of teaching had to be improved to ensure standards were raised throughout the 97-pupil school, particularly in maths and English.

Unsatisfactory teaching, low standards and leadership over time failing to set clear direction, inspectors said the over-all effectiveness of the school was weak and provided 'poor value for money.'

Inspectors visited the school in June and admitted that there had been insufficient time for the newly appointed headteacher to establish effective management systems across the school.

But they added that Mrs Rivans had quickly identified the priorities needing action and had a clear view of the most important steps to be taken to address them.

They said the headteacher's own high expectations of pupils and colleagues and her commitment to leading an effective team were encouraging for the future.

National Curriculum SATS tests taken this summer, the results of which came too late for the inspection, showed a marked improvement in achievement.

Mrs Rivans, the former deputy head at the much-larger Torrington Infants School, said learning should be exciting and challenging: 'I want the children to feel inspired and want to learn. We need to get this right for them.'

Despite problems at the school, thankfully no parents had taken their children away, said Mrs Rivans, who aims to make the school one of the centres of the community.

In an effort to strengthen relations with parents, mums and dads are being invited into the school to meet teachers and set targets together for their children.

Home-school liaison books were being introduced and class assemblies were being held every Friday which parents were welcome to attend.

Chair of governors Susan Gill said she was disappointed but not disheartened by the report.

'I am confident that, with the support of parents and the community, we can make great strides in turning this school into one of which we can all be justifiably proud,' she said.

Her optimism was shared by Devon County Council's director of education, arts and libraries Tony Smith.

He said Winkleigh was already receiving additional support from the county council to help improve maths and literacy and advisors would also be helping across the curriculum.

The school was drawing up an action plan to tackle improvements and he expected 'special measures' to be lifted from the school in 18 months time.

'Devon has a good track record in helping the small minority of schools that fall into this situation get out of special measures quickly and I see no reason why that should not happen at Winkleigh,' he said.