A BANBURY primary school deemed “inadequate” by Ofsted has been forced to change into an academy to improve.

William Morris County Primary School, in Bretch Hill, was inspected on May 14 and 15 earlier this year after being told it “requires improvement” in 2013.

But according to inspectors things have become worse, with bullying, quality of teaching, behaviour and a lack of progress among problems highlighted by inspectors.

Now chairwoman of governors Charlotte Christie has revealed the mixed school, which had 175 pupils at the time of the report, will change into an academy in February next year.

Miss Christie, who has been in her position since October last year, said the transformation was an opportunity to give the school a fresh start. She added: “We consulted in July and we put the application in to the Department of Education.

“We had already been exploring and had already started that process. We were due to have a discussion before the inspection.

“It is an opportunity for the organisation GLF Academy Trust, which will take over, and from our point of view will be looking at the school with a fresh pair of eyes.”

Headteacher Lorna Middleton has been absent due to health problems since April this year, and her role has since been split between stand-in deputies Caroline Debus and Sarah Hollander.

Now the role will be given to acting deputy Linda Tait, who has been addressing parents and pupils regarding the report, according to Miss Christie.

In the Ofsted report, inspectors highlighted issues concerning bullying, quality of teaching, pupil progression records, behaviour and disruption.

Miss Christie said she was “not surprised” by the report and measures have been put into place to tackle the problems highlighted. She said teachers and parents will now communicate more about pupil progress and pupils’ behaviour standards were being addressed.