Gusford Community Primary School, a sponsored academy in Sheldrake Drive, has received its second ‘requires improvement’ rating in the space of three years from Ofsted.

It has also emerged that headteacher Colin Tapscott left his position for personal reasons just before the Easter break.

The Active Learning Trust, which runs the school, has confirmed that Craig D’Cunha, the principal at Chantry Academy, has been appointed as executive headteacher until the summer.

Claire Claydon, headteacher of Brightlingsea Junior School in Essex, rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, will take over as the permanent headteacher in September.

Four Ofsted inspectors visited the school over March 22/23. Mike Capper, lead inspector, wrote in his report: “Leaders, including the governing body, have not secured sufficient improvement since the previous inspection (March 2015).

“While there have been some helpful developments over the last two years, the impact is not yet consistently strong and teaching continues to be too variable.

“Teachers manage pupils’ behaviour well and make learning fun and engaging but do not provide consistently strong challenge for the most able (students).”

Safeguarding issues were also raised: “There are well-defined procedures for recording potential safeguarding issues, but responsibility for checking that everything is being recorded accurately is less clear.”

Pupils’ progress in English and maths is not consistent, especially for the most able students, and science teachers have too low expectations, Mr Capper said.

Broken down by category, behaviour and the early years’ provision were rated ‘good’, but leadership, teaching and pupil outcomes were rated ‘requires improvement’, which is the third-worst rating.

Gary Peile, chief executive of the Active Learning Trust, said: “We were encouraged that the inspectors noted many areas of good practice. It is, however, extremely disappointing that an essential element of our safeguarding policies was not implemented.

“The school has brought in new procedures with immediate effect to ensure that the school adheres to the high standards of safeguarding expected in an Active Learning Trust school.”