IT WILL come as a great shock to hundreds of families in Witney when they discover that the previously “outstanding” Wood Green School has been put into special measures.

Just three years ago it was praised by Ofsted for the achievements of its pupils but it is that achievement that has now caused the school to slip into the lowest of the schools’ watchdog’s ratings.

After a visit last month, a team of Ofsted inspectors criticised several aspects of the school’s performance.

We are sure the previous outstanding rating of the school was a big selling point for parents when they were deciding which school to send their children to over the past three years.

And in that time, we are sure parents would have nothing but praise for the school, which is highly regarded in the community.

It would be easy to focus on the negatives, but it should be mentioned that the behaviour of the pupils was rated as “good” by Ofsted.

And the report praised the way pupils worked with nearby schools and were encouraged to create positive and respectful relationships.

After all, results are important, but children who are also respectful and aware of problems others may face are going to do better in the outside world.

Headteacher Rob Shadbolt took over earlier this year, at a time when the signs of declining exam achievement were already showing, but he had already identified the problem and was acting on it, while his work at other schools in similar circumstances should give parents hope that he can help bring the school out of special measures.