THE council has been criticised for failing to help a troubled primary school.

Newport Primary School in Newport Road, Leyton, was given a notice to improve by Government schools' regulator Ofsted in October last year.

The school was criticised again last month after inspectors noted there was no sign of improvement during a monitoring visit.

Ofsted also criticised the council for failing to act to improve Newport's performance.

Gill Close, Her Majesty's Inspector, said:"Having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that at this time the school is making inadequate progress in addressing the issues for improvement and in raising the pupils' achievement."

She added: "The local authority's statement of action prepared after the last inspection was not fit for purpose."

The council had failed to help the school to improve the way parents' views were taken into account and teachers were monitored.

She added: "Further support from the local authority is needed to accelerate improvement in teaching and learning for all staff across the core subjects of English, mathematics and science and to increase the impact of monitoring by senior and middle learners."

Newport School will be inspected again in a year's time and if it does not achieve a 'satisfactory' overall rating, it will be placed in 'special measures'.

If the school’s performance still does not improve, it can be taken over by the Government or closed down.

Ainslie Wood, in Chingford, and Barncroft, in Walthamstow are the only primary schools in Waltham Forest currently in special measures.

Beaumont Primary, in Leyton, has been given a notice to improve after being removed from special measures following an inspection in April.

Cllr Liaquat Ali, children and young people cabinet member, said: "This report is disappointing but parents and pupils at Newport should know that things have moved on since the report was published in May.

"The council and VT Education and Skills met with teachers soon after the report was published to re-work the action plan.

"The new plan takes into account the improvements made so far but also puts in place stronger measures to raise the school's standards.

"Every pupil in Waltham Forest deserves the very best education they can get and everyone is working hard at Newport to make sure that happens."

A VT Education and Skills statement said: "The council has provided support, which Ofsted has noted as having had 'some impact' including intensive consultancy support in teaching and learning and support for pupil progress.

"Regular advisory support has assisted the leadership team in taking a range of actions to improve the situation.

"The council has developed the action plan so that it further identifies the way we can achieve accelerated progress in the school and is compliant with Ofsted requirements."