LEADERS at a Christchurch secondary school rated 'inadequate' by inspectors have pledged to make improvements.

The Grange School in Somerford was slammed for the "poor attendance and behaviour" of pupils following a visit from Ofsted inspectors.

Its GCSE results were also criticised, as was the quality of education provided and "poor teaching" at the Redvers Road school.

Head teacher Jane Asplin-Locke is currently off sick and the school is being led in her absence by deputy head Pete Nealon and school improvement advisor Liz Garman who are acting as co-heads of the school.

The school is part of multi-academy trust Twynham Learning, which also includes Twynham School, Twynham Primary School, Christchurch Junior School, Stourfield Junior School and Stourfield Infant School.

Twynham School head Jy Taylor moved to reassure parents of The Grange and said two meetings have already been held with the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC)Lisa Mannall.

"Both the RSC office and the Ofsted report recognise that Twynham learning has the necessary capacity and expertise to ensure that The Grange School makes the improvements required" he said.

"Our two schools have worked increasingly more closely in recent months and the Ofsted inspection highlights this as a strength of the school. The vision for the Trust has always been to ensure that all young people of Christchurch and the immediate area receive a high quality education. This report represents an opportunity for all those associated with the Trust to focus their work on ensuring that vision is fulfilled."

Twynham Learning has recently appointed a new chief executive following the retirement of Dr Terry Fish last August.

Gareth Morris, an experienced leader of education, will take over in September.

Following his appointment he said: "I am eager to join Twynham Learning to further grow a dynamic family of schools that will provide exceptional opportunities for students and the Christchurch and Bournemouth communities."