PARENTS of children studying at The Wensleydale School have been reassured that the school is not expected to fall back into special measures.

About 100 parents attended a meeting where senior teachers, governors and local authority chiefs admitted that the school's performance had slipped over the last two years.

Everything possible was however being done to improve standards, the audience was told.

The meeting was called following the unexpected departure of the head, Graham Parker.

Parents were told that several other teachers had resigned, were retiring or were absent, but other staff were being brought in to cover over the critical exam period.

David Hartley, chair of the governors, said last year's poor GCSE results had come as a "big shock" to the school and efforts to improve standards had started immediately.

"The school isn't completely broken but we recognise that improvements need to be made," Mr Hartley added.

"We will work with 100 per cent determination to get the results that we're looking for."

The school was placed in special measures in 2008. It exited two years later and in 2012 was rated as good with outstanding features.

Asked by a parent if the school was at risk of again entering special measures, Mr Hartley said: "I wouldn't like to think we're heading to special measures at all."

The meeting heard from the interim headteacher Pete Whelan who told parents: "I have worked in many schools in special measures and this doesn't feel like a school in special measures."

Mr Whelan outlined some of the steps being taken to improve the school, including a drive to ensure all teaching was consistently good or better.

He said pupils would be given a voice to raise issues and regular parent forums would be held.

The head said he believed the problems had occurred because "the school had been slow to respond to the massive changes that had occurred in the educational landscape over the last two years".

Deputy head Andy Wilkinson added that extensive revision and coursework sessions would be held for pupils taking exams and interventions would take place with students needing extra help.

Mr Wilkinson confirmed that assistant head and head of English, Stuart Ash, was not in work. He also listed several other teachers who had left or were leaving shortly, but said their work would be covered.

Parents were told that the number of subjects taught at A-level may be reduced.

The meeting was told that Mr Whelan would stay as long as needed until a permanent headteacher could be found.

Members of the audience asked why they had not been alerted to the issues before and urged the school to improve communication with parents.

"You've got to pull your socks up," added one parent.