A Cumbrian secondary school has been placed into special measures following an inspection by the Government.

Netherhall School in Maryport has been rated as inadequate by Ofsted.

Inspectors said the school was failing to give pupils an acceptable standard of education and those responsible for leading the school were not demonstrating the capacity to secure necessary improvement.

A team who visited the school said the its leadership and management and its sixth form study programmes were inadequate.

The inspectors also found that improvements were needed in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, and pupils' outcomes.

Personal development, behaviour and welfare were rated good.

The ruling comes two-and-a-half years after the school was told it needed to improve in most areas.

At their most recent visit, in May, inspectors said acting headteacher David Tromans was already working hard to improve the school.

The report said: "He has brought a new drive, determination and vision to improve standards for pupils."

Inspectors found that teaching across the school was already improving, along with pupils' personal development, behaviour and welfare.

A new assessment system was also being refined, they found.

But the inspectors found that the school had limited capacity to secure further improvements and governors were not holding leaders to account enough.

They found that achievements in subjects including science, English literature and religious education were too low.

Teaching quality was found to be variable, with teachers' expectations too low and marking and feedback not consistent.

Inspectors said pupils' cultural development needed to improve.

The school was praised for the safety and pastoral care of pupils, the way it uses pupil premium funding and the progress of children with special education needs and disabilities.

Mr Tromans was brought in by the county council in January following the departure of Jonathan Johnson, who moved to West Lakes Academy in Egremont.

Mr Tromans previously helped turn around Ullswater Community College in Penrith.

The report said that positive change had begun since his arrival, with morale improved among staff and belief in the new vision for the school among teachers, pupils and governors.

A full review of the curriculum has already begun.

The report said: "The acting headteacher's skills, passion and commitment to the school community, coupled with his readiness and determination, are providing the much-needed impetus to ensure that the standards of education received by pupils increase.

"It is, however, too early to see the impact of his actions."

An external review of the school's governance is planned to see how it can be improved.