Castle community College has gone into special measures, it was confirmed yesterday.

The previously outstanding high performing academy sent pupils home from school last night with newsletters in bags, informing parents of the news.

The letter, by chairman of governors Sylvia Jones, said: "To enable the school trust and SchoolsCompany to produce an action plan, we are advising you that we have been placed in the category of special measures.

"We do not know the final details until the report arrives, but the judgement will remain the same."

A paperwork delay has been blamed for Ofsted not publishing Castle Community College's inspection report.

The school faced criticism from parents last week for failing to give any indication to how it was judged in the recent inspection on March 27 and 28.

"We are advising you that we have been placed in the category of Special Measures," Castle Community Chairman of Governors Sylvia Jones

The school, which is seven months into the amalgamation with Walmer Science College, wanted to see the full report before it made any comment, but yesterday it shared the bad news.

The newsletter continued: "We would like to apologise to parents and carers for the delay in information regarding our recent Ofsted inspection.

"Castle Community College had an ofsted inspection on the 27th and 28th March.

"We were told by the lead inspector that the draft report would be with us by the 4th April to check for accuracies.

"We contacted Ofsted on the 4th April and were told that the report would be with us on the 22nd April. No explanation was given.

"We received the report on the afternoon of the 22nd for checking and we are required to return it by the 29th April.

"We have found several inaccuracies and therefore the final published report will be delayed."

Prospective Parliamentary candidate Clair Hawkins, said: "As a former pupil of Castle I was really proud that the school make such a dramatic turnaround after going into special measures a few years after I left.

"So it is very sad, although not a surprise, that it has happened again.

"The school must work with pupils, parents, staff and the community to turn things around and look seriously at the challenges faced since the closure of Walmer Science College.

"Our children deserve the best start in life and the school must be open, honest and inclusive so everyone can work together to put things right."

For the full story and reaction, see this week's Mercury.