THE head teacher of a failing Bournemouth school is leaving for "personal reasons" - days after its management was slated by inspectors.

Bournemouth local authority is greatly concerned about the lack of improvement at the Jewell Road school which was put into special measures by Ofsted in November 2005 - only two months after Mrs Groves took over - although at the time inspectors had praised her.

But in a damning report this week, government inspectors criticise management at the school and say inadequate progress has been made since it became subject to special measures.

Staff morale is low, says the report by Ofsted, and teachers' professional development is being hampered.

"The local authority is aware that the way in which the school is managed is prejudicing pupils' standards of performance," it says.

The school has been suffering falling pupil numbers in recent years.

The new report says attendance is still below average and the bad behaviour of some of the children is not being dealt with effectively. This is negatively affecting the entire running of the school.

There have also been fears that a question mark hangs over the future of the primary school, although education bosses strenuously deny this.

Jane Portman, executive director for children and family services, said: "I can confirm Mrs Groves has indicated she will be leaving Townsend Primary School for personal reasons. But there are no plans to close Townsend."

It is understood Mrs Groves will be leaving on March 30.

A source told the Echo a temporary head teacher is being drafted in.

Mrs Groves came from a Hampshire primary school which she had helped avoid going into special measures.

After starting at Townsend she told the Daily Echo: "We have put the children at the centre of everything we are doing. They deserve the best education and opportunities we can provide and we're all committed to making sure Townsend Primary is a school the community can be proud of."

Ward councillor Richard Smith said: "The school needs support at this time to take on board the comments Ofsted made to take it forward and secure the future of the school and the educational outcomes for the children."

The Daily Echo attempted to contact Mrs Groves but was told she was not at school.