by Simon Tulett

A school is failing its pupils, according to Ofsted inspectors.

Struggling Wilmington Enterprise College will be placed in "special measures" next week after the school standards body deemed it was failing to provide an acceptable level of education.

The school, in Common Lane, Wilmington, is now undergoing a massive overhaul.

It is to be given an Interim Executive Board of seven "commissioners" to support the school - only the second body of its kind ever to be put in place by Kent County Council.

Its 800 pupils, some of whom are in the middle of GCSEs and A-Levels, are now set for extra support, including help from Dartford Girls Grammar School, whose head, Jane Wheatley, has been appointed executive headteacher of both schools.

The school first hit the headlines two weeks ago when it launched a uniform and behaviour crackdown, which saw 60 pupils punished in one day.

Head of college, Belinda Langley-Bliss said: “The support that comes with special measures is designed to make sure Wilmington Enterprise College makes rapid and sustainable improvement.

"There will be a comprehensive review of teaching and learning and the curriculum offered to all students.”

For the full story see this Thursday's Dartford Messenger.