Education officials said problems were being addressed

Douglas Ewart High School in Newton Stewart was found to be failing in almost all of its quality indicators.

Inspectors have called for an action plan as well as a report back on the most serious issues within six months.

The region's director of education said the report was "disappointing" but added that important steps had been taken to address the school's problems.

Inspectors grade aspects of school life on a six point sliding scale from excellent to unsatisfactory.

At the Douglas Ewart the best rating was adequate but most of the 19 categories were rated either weak or unsatisfactory.

Parents and pupils were found to be concerned about the school's reputation in the community as well as the treatment of pupils and bullying.

Significant steps have been taken to address the shortcomings highlighted in the report, including the health and safety issues identified Fraser Sanderson Director of education

The inspectors found the quality of the curriculum to be weak and the quality of teaching variable.

Arrangements for ensuring the care and protection of pupils were also weak.

However, they noted the commitment of the school's recently appointed new head teacher to improve things.

Director of education Fraser Sanderson said the findings were disappointing but not unexpected since the council had carried out its own review of the school already.

"Significant steps have been taken to address the shortcomings highlighted in the report, including the health and safety issues identified," he said.

"There will be an investment by the authority in the plan devised by head teacher and staff because we appreciate the need to restore confidence in the community in the service available at the school."