ASSISTANCE is being given to East Peckham Primary School, near Maidstone, after Ofsted inspectors who visited it in September called for special measures to improve standards of education.

Six inspectors spent four days at the school and though they found notable strengths, their report, just published, concludes that these were outweighed by significant weaknesses.

The report says the school makes sound provision for pupils' personal development, resulting in satisfactory attitudes to learning, behaviour and relationships.

But it notes that standards of work are below national expectations, pupils are failing to make sufficient progress and the quality of teaching needs to be improved.

Headteacher Ian Whyte is praised for successfully rebuilding staff morale, which had been low after management problems two years ago. His success in overseeing several key improvements at the school is also acknowledged by the inspectors. But lack of rigour and consistency in some aspects of the school's work has been identified and is now being tackled.

To help speed up improvements, senior specialists from KCC's special support team are now working with staff and the school's governing body. Together they will prepare and execute an action plan, to include more effective lesson planning, monitoring and assessment.

Extra administrative support has also been arranged to help deputy headteacher Janet Holton in her role as acting head while Mr Whyte is absent through illness.