LEADERSHIP failings, disappointing results and stalling progress at Bournemouth's first free school have been highlighted in a critical Ofsted report.

The recent inspection at Parkfield School comes as it is confirmed head teacher Terry Conaghan's contract has been terminated on medical grounds.

Mr Conaghan, who led the school since it opened in 2013, has been on sick leave since July.

Education experts were drafted in at the crisis-hit school in August after a disappointing set of SATs results.

And in September, Alex Prout, a National Leader of Education and former head of Bournemouth's Queens Park Academy, was appointed as Interim Executive Head.

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Parkfield was visited by Ofsted in November - their first visit since the school's 'requires improvement' grade in April 2015.

Inspectors said the school needs to improve learning and progress, the quality of teaching, and to ensure all staff provide children more with guidance.

They blamed the previous 'lack of strong focused leadership' for the bad results and said matters are now improving.

"Since the appointment of the IAB (interim academy board) and the arrival of the interim head, senior leaders have received the support and good leadership they require to now carry out their roles effectively" said the report.

"The most recent monitoring of pupils learning is indicating that pupils are so far making better progress this academic year."

The report said staff morale has also improved.

Ms Prout, speaking to the Daily Echo, said the school's proposed move to the former air traffic control centre at Bournemouth Airport was still on course for Easter 2017.

She also moved to reassure parents, staff and pupils that "significant measures" were being implemented to bring about "much-needed stability".

"My focus is absolutely on the children at Parkfield and the desire to give them an excellent education and foundation for life.

"The Ofsted report wasn't a shock. We had already started to implement our action plan, and changes can be seen already" she said.

"From a parents' perspective, there have been broken promises previously. My focus now is on the teaching, learning and of course, the children."

She said time is needed for new systems and processes to take effect and added: "Parkfield is just a normal school. We have 440 children and we have to do better for them."

She said the school could take a total of 784 pupils - currently they are at just over 50 per cent capacity.

The interim team would remain in place while an appropriate academy trust is sought to sponsor Parkfield.

Earlier this year, the Daily Echo revealed the school would have to pay back nearly £500,000 to the Education Funding Agency after claiming money for a higher number of pupils than had enrolled.