A primary school has been placed into special measures and the head teacher has resigned.

After an Ofsted visit to Richmond school in Sheerness last month, inspectors decided to take the action, which was announced on Tuesday.

Head teacher Marian Smith has left her job, according to a spokesman to spend more time with her family.

A previous inspection, carried out in July 2010, found the Nursery Road school was inadequate in its overall effectiveness.

That report also found pupils’ attainment and quality of learning was inadequate and attendance was low.

Although the early years foundation stage was rated good and the report said the school’s capacity for improvement was satisfactory, Mrs Smith was served with a notice to improve in March this year.

Chairman of the governing body Alan Jenner said, with the support of Kent County Council, it is already putting together a comprehensive improvement plan which will be implemented as a matter of urgency.

He said: “Everybody associated with the school is absolutely committed to making the required improvements and we will stop at nothing to make sure children receive the education they deserve.

“We are strengthening the way we assess children’s progress so that we can identify individual needs and provide appropriate support.

“There will also be strong emphasis on English and mathematics teaching to raise standards and raise attainment.

“Our relationship with parents is really important to us and we are pleased that a very large majority expressed positive views about the school.

“We want parents to be fully involved with our improvements and we will update them regularly on the progress we are making.

“The local authority will support and challenge the governing body, leadership and staff in the coming months.

“KCC advisers will closely monitor our progress and will hold us to account to make sure the inspectors notice a dramatic difference when they next visit.”

Richmond has just undergone a £1.3 million facelift to build four new classrooms, a large hall, a library and computer suite and office facilities.

A KCC spokesman said: “Marian Smith has been considering a career break in order to spend more time with her family and has therefore decided to leave.

“The governors would like to take this opportunity to thank Marian for her work and contribution to the school over the years and to wish her every success in the future.”