PUPILS in some parts of Oxford could end up with the worst education in the country if a teacher recruitment crisis continues, experts have warned.

New Marston Primary School has become the sixth school in the county- and the fourth in the city- to be placed into special measures by Ofsted.

One other school- Orchard Meadow Primary School in Blackbird Leys- is deemed to have "serious weaknesses"

In a critical inspection report the school standards watchdog said teaching was not good enough and that too many classes were taught by temporary staff, teaching students or teaching assistants.

The report, based on the inspection from May, describes the teaching as 'inadequate' and that the quality of teaching 'varies greatly across the school and not enough is good over time'.

Earlier this year the Oxford Mail revealed some schools were finding it so hard to recruit and retain teachers that they feared having to scrap subjects such as religious education and technology and design.

Oxford University education expert Professor John Howson said the crisis could lead to more schools failing.

He said: "I feel we will see an increase in the number of schools in special measures because of the recruitment crisis.

"We could end up with the worst education system in the country in some parts of Oxford.

"We need to have enough teachers trained in Oxfordshire to work in Oxfordshire.

"We know that going forward Ofsted has asked schools to report on recruitment difficulties so clearly Ofsted is worried about it."

Schools which are rated inadequate are legally required to become academies free from local authority control.

But Prof Howson said it could take a long time for an academy sponsor to be found and this uncertainty could force good teachers to seek a more stable job at another school - leading to even greater problems.

When Rose Hill Primary School was placed into special measures at the end of last year headteacher Sue Vermes said it was partly caused by her struggle to get good teachers to come to the school and stay there.

The crisis has been blamed on Oxford's high cost of living, a lack of affordable housing for teachers and a shortage of teachers being trained here.

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for education Melinda Tilley said: "When a school goes into special measures it is not just because of one reason.

"But I think recruitment is part of it definitely.

"I have written to the Education Secretary about it all, about improving housing.

"It worries me that we have seven schools in special measures.

"The Department for Education could be doing more to help."

New Marston Primary School headteacher Hannah Brown, who took on the role in September, vowed to make a rapid improvement to leadership, teaching and learning.

She said she was pleased Ofsted had recognised that she and her deputy had a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school, which has 392 children on its roll, but recognised it had to improve.

Ms Brown said: "We are deeply disappointed with the report's conclusions but are urgently addressing the issues it raises.

"Prior to the inspection, we had begun implementing changes to address a number of the areas highlighted, but there wasn't sufficient time for these to deliver significant improvements before the inspection.

"We will learn the lessons of the report.

"It is our firm ambition that the more regular inspection schedule to which we are now subject will quickly demonstrate the impact of the improvements we have already begun to make."

s What do you think about the quality of teaching in Oxfordshire? Shout about your schools, email us news@oxfordmail.co.uk or call us on 01865 425405. See tomorrow's Oxford Mail for our chat with an Ofsted director.