A primary school previously praised for its tireless and determined leadership has been placed in special measures. 

Ofsted's chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has placed Longshaw Primary School in Longshaw Road, Chingford, in special measures after the quality of teaching, achievements of pupils and the leadership were all found to be inadequate following an inspection in February. 

The school was praised by Ofsted in 2009 for raising the achievement of children, but is now failing to give its 460-plus pupils an acceptable standard of education with Ofsted saying it has no confidence in the leadership and management to secure necessary improvements. 

In a newsletter to parents, headteacher Kerry Munden said: "Whilst many of you are disappointed with the outcome, I hope that by attending the meeting (on April 23) you are assured that we are all committed in providing the best education for your child.

"It is our intention to be out of special measures and be categorised as a good school by summer 2016."

School governors, including long-term serving chair, Hatch Lane's Conservative councillor Marion Fitzgerald, were criticised for "hindering the school's improvement."

"Governors have failed to hold the school to account for pupils’ achievement", the report said. 

"They do not have a clear understanding of the quality of teaching or how this relates to performance management. 

"As a result, they have not tackled underperformance effectively.

"They have not had high enough expectations of what disadvantaged pupils can achieve. These pupils do not achieve as well as they should."

Cllr Fitzgerald is no longer chair and two new parent governors were appointed in March. 

Self-evaluation of the school's performance was considered "overly generous" by Ofsted, as leaders and governors had "not ensured that previously good standards of teaching had been maintained".  

Key Stage 1 results were above the national average in reading, writing and mathematics.

However results in Key Stage 2 fell below the benchmark in all areas. 

Last year disadvantaged pupils in Year 6 were approximately four terms behind other pupils in mathematics and two terms behind in reading and writing, it was found. 

The report continued: "Teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve are often too low. 

"Leaders at all levels do not analyse assessment data carefully enough to monitor the progress of different groups of pupils. 

"Recently, the school has started to tackle this through the introduction of progress meetings attended by additional senior leaders."

The behaviour and safety of pupils and early years provision both require improvement, the report said, but pupils generally behave well and parents were found to be highly supportive of the school. 

Longshaw will now receive regular monitoring by Ofsted inspectors and has submitted a post-inspection action plan for approval. 

Ms Munden has been contacted for a comment.