A new leadership team has been appointed to turn around a failing school.

Waltham Holy Cross Junior School was put into special measures by Ofsted inspectors after being found to be failing to meet basic requirements across all categories.

Headteacher of 15 years, Diane Stygal, left her post on publication of the report on February 15.

Ofsted also found the management team and governors had not demonstrated the ability to improve the school.

Today staff returned to work after the half-term for a day of training led by four teachers from Lilac Sky Schools (LSS), a private education organisation appointed by Essex County Council and the school’s governors.

Trevor Averre-Beeson, LSS chief executive, said: “We aim to lead the school out of special measures by the end of the next academic year.

“We will be reviewing all activities within the school using the Ofsted report as a starting point.

The new executive headteacher at the school is Vicky Rezaie, who has been a head for six years while working for LSS and has helped lead three schools out of special measures.

The two further staff are associate headteacher, Jane Fielding, and Steve Beymen, who will support the existing staff with teaching techniques and staff coaching.

Children will return to the school tomorrow and meetings between parents and staff will be held on Tuesday and Thursday this week.

LSS has been put in charge of the school for two years and has worked with around 100 schools in the UK to improve standards.