'LACKLUSTRE' teaching and lagging results have seen an Oxford school slip to Ofsted's worst standard.

Sandhills Community Primary School has been branded 'inadequate' by the education watchdog, four years after it was rated 'good' in its last inspection.

Ofsted wrote in a report, published on Wednesday: "Standards have deteriorated and the school’s effectiveness has waned.

"Teaching quality is highly variable and in some cases is lacklustre.

"Pupils’ achievement has declined significantly.

"Too much weak teaching and a narrow curriculum fail to spark pupils' interest."

The 311-pupil community school is run by Oxfordshire County Council, which Ofsted criticised for 'not supporting school leaders with sufficient rigour or urgency'.

Inspectors said the authority was 'too slow' to halt declining standards and 'allowed the school to languish'.

The school in Terrett Avenue, Sandhills, was rated 'inadequate' in most areas of assessment and 'requires improvement' for early years provision and personal development, behaviour and welfare. 

Ofsted did highlight improvements since headteacher Jane Settle was appointed last year, however.

Its report stated: "[She] has made a positive start at tackling deficiencies.

"Leaders have established a clearer line of sight, determining what is needed to restore the high standards seen at the previous inspection.

"The headteacher, supported by senior staff, has instigated a number of well-considered changes to improve the school’s effectiveness."

Inspectors noted how management of funding had previously 'not ensured value for money', but this was beginning to change.

The report did highlight several positives, despite the overall rating.

It stated: "Pupils are well prepared for life in the wider community, demonstrating a commanding understanding of tolerance and diversity.

"Pupils from different backgrounds work together happily.

"Some parents are rightly confident that the school is turning a corner under new leadership."