A HEADTEACHER has hit out at inspectors after they judged his Colchester school to be inadequate.

Ofsted has ruled St Andrew’s Juniors, in Greenstead, Colchester, needs special measures.

They said teaching was poor, attendance was too low and leaders at the school had failed to realise how poorly it was doing.

The school, in Hickory Avenue, has hit out at the ruling, arguing inspectors did not focus enough on the school’s achievements.

St Andrew’s last inspection in 2009 was judged to be “good”.

Headteacher Richard Nitsche, who is due to retire at the end of the school year, said he was extremely disappointed.

He said: “It was an absolute shock."

Ofsted changed its guidelines for schools earlier this year, increasing the standards.

Following the report St Andrew’s will have to work more closely with Essex County Council to improve and have more inspections.

Mr Nitsche, who has been headteacher for 12 years, said ruling the school as “inadequate” was down to political reasons.

He said: “A lot of schools which were judged to be good with us three years ago have now been judged as inadequate.

“If a school is placed in special measures then it is easier for it to become an academy.

“I’m not privy to whether that is on the cards for us. I know it was looked at 18 months ago but we didn’t really think it was for us at that time.

“We are going to move forward and work with the local authority. We recognise it’s a good school and we will be judged so again.”