A primary school rated "good" three years ago has been placed in special measures because of its pupils' poor grades after a shock Ofsted inspection.

Saxon Way Primary School in Ingram Road, Gillingham, called a meeting with parents before the summer holidays to discuss the report.

Inspectors who visited for two days in May said every aspect of the school was inadequate, except pupils' behaviour and safety, which was satisfactory.

The report said pupils had "erratic progress" in their work thanks to "inconsistent and inadequate" teaching and a "variable quality" of marking.

It said pupils started well, but "this good start is not built on sufficiently".

It added: "Leadership and management are inadequate. Leaders have not been successful in tackling the declining trend in attainment since the previous inspection.

"The governing body has not held the school's leaders sufficiently to account for the performance of the school."

Pupils were happy and enjoyed learning but the main reason for the shock announcement, the inspectors said, was their poor academic achievement.

In a letter to pupils, inspector Hilary Macdonald wrote: "You are not reaching the standards in your work expected of pupils of your age.

"All of you can help your teachers by doing your best in all your lessons."

The school will now be inspected regularly once the new year begins in September.

It will do so under a new head teacher, following the retirement of long-serving head Lynn Andrews this summer.

The separate Saxon Way Children's Centre, which cares for under-fours, was rated "good".

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