A SPECIAL school whose headteacher was suspended earlier this year has been branded as being 'in crisis" by Ofsted inspectors in a damning report.

Amberley Ridge school, which cares for children with severe behavioural difficulties, was given a grade four overall - the lowest rank, meaning inadequate, and staff have been given a 'notice to improve'.

Inspector Frank Price, who visited the school in June, said significant improvement is needed in management and leadership.

"The instability of staffing, the acting nature of the senior management team and an ineffective governing body paint a picture of a school in crisis," the report states.

"Formal monitoring of the curriculum and lessons by governors has been negligible - the school has been on a downward slope and governors have not been aware of this situation.

"Staffing upheavals have adversely affected the progress of pupils, and some have been unsettled by events."

Stuart King, head of special services for children at Gloucestershire County Council, said the school is addressing its problems.

"We have appointed additional governors and this body is now working much more affectively," he said.

"It has been difficult because a teacher was suspended and another has been off sick for the whole of this term.

"But we have a lot of confidence in the acting head and things are definitely looking up."