A "significant" number of pupils have poor discipline

Poor teaching standards, leadership, and pupil behaviour at Newtown High School were highlighted in the report.

Now Brecon head teacher, Colin Eves, has been brought in by the local education authority to try and turn things around at the school after its head Dr Glyn Hughes went on leave earlier this month.

A Powys council spokesman said Mr Eves' appointment as "associate head teacher" was to address the shortcomings described in the Estyn inspection report and the preparation of an action plan to sort out these problems.

Colin Eves is a very strong leader and I am confident he will provide the leadership to turn the school round Brian Harris, governors' chairman

The school has until 23 May to submit its action plan to Estyn, and chairman of the school governors, Brian Harris, believes Mr Eves is the right man for the job.

"Colin Eves is a very strong leader and I am confident he will provide the leadership to turn the school round," said Mr Harris.

Failing school

"I have no doubt that Mr Eves will be able to deliver the action plan on time."

But if the school has not made progress when inspected next Spring it could be tagged a failing school.

The governors have to set up an action plan by 23 May

This means that control of the school would be taken away from the school's governors.

"We recognise a lot of work has to be done but I don't think that worst case scenario will arise," said Mr Harris.

Mr Eves' appointment at Newtown is until 31 August but he will continue as Brecon's head teacher, albeit in a supervisory role, with other staff taking charge of the day-to-day running of the school.

The troubleshooter was appointed in response to the damning school report by inspectors which pinpointed poor discipline amongst a "significant number" of the 900 pupils.

This led to the National Union of Teachers blaming the school leadership, including Dr Hughes, because members of the 75-strong staff felt unsafe.