A PRIMARY school with a history of underachievement has removed its entire board of governors in a bid to drive up standards.

Queen Emma's Primary School in Witney has been rated in Ofsted's second lowest category – currently known as 'requires improvement' – for six years.

At the start of this calendar year the MILL Academy Trust, which runs the school in Burwell Drive, disbanded the governing body after deciding rapid improvement was needed.

It has coincided with headteacher Helen Bartlett being off school for 'personal reasons'.

MILL Academy Trust chief executive Wendy Hemmingsley said: "Since converting to an academy and joining the trust last October the MILL Academy Trust has been investing in support for the school.

"Recently trust reviews have concluded that more rapid improvement is needed to secure the best possible education outcomes for every child.

"Queen Emma's has a very committed and competent staff team which is working tirelessly with the temporary leaders to ensure improvements are embedded at the school and all its pupils receive the best quality education."

When the Burwell Drive school was last inspected by Ofsted in January 2015 it was found that too few pupils were making consistently good progress in reading, writing and maths because of some poor teaching in the past.

The inspectors' report said that teaching was 'not yet good enough to eradicate fully the legacy of underachievement in the school.'

The trust's directors have taken on the role of the governing body as a temporary measure and senior leaders, including Ms Hemmingsley, are running things in Mrs Bartlett's absence.

Ms Hemmingsley said: "If any Queen Emma's parents have any concerns about their child's progress, learning or school experience they can call into the school office at any time and we will be happy to discuss this with them.

"When the interim board is established all parents will be provided with the details."

The school has already asked for parents of the 230 pupils at the school to put their names forward to be part of the new board of governors.

It is hoped the new board will be in place by September.

County councillor for Witney South and Central Laura Price, whose ward includes Queen Emma's Primary, said it was important that parents came forward.

She said: "This shows the role of governors are really important and should not be underestimated.

"The governing body is an opportunity for people to make a success of a school.

"When everybody takes responsibility for a school that is when the school can really thrive."

The MILL Academy Trust is responsible for two other schools – Finstock Primary and The Henry Box School, in Witney - which have most recently been rated 'good'.