OFSTED inspectors branded a North Oxford primary school ‘inadequate’ for the second time in a year.

The school standards watchdog said although Cutteslowe Primary School provided an acceptable standard of education, it has lacked leadership since headteacher Peter Renshaw went on long-term sick leave in September.

Governors said they had put in place changes to make sure it does not fail an inspection again.

Chairman Murray Hunt said: “When Ofsted came in October we’d been without a head for six or seven weeks.”

He said a new acting deputy head, Sarah Gristwood, would start full time from January, and governors were now interviewing for an executive headteacher to help run the school.

Mr Renshaw was appointed last year, and inspectors who gave the school a Notice to Improve in October 2009 credited him with “having a significant impact on the success of the school’s work.”

When inspectors returned two months ago retired headteacher Chris Phillips had been appointed as acting head, but had not yet started work.

Mr Phillips, formerly of Orchard Meadow Primary School, Blackbird Leys, said: “It is a very positive school with a good bunch of children, great teachers and really supportive parents.”