THE headteacher of Watchet's troubled Knights Templar First School - placed in 'special measures' in January following a poor report by Government inspectors - has stepped down.

Keith Atkins took charge of the 203-pupil school in April last year and was less than two terms into his headship when Ofsted carried out an inspection in November.

The school was judged to be providing an unacceptable standard of education, with inadequate standards of teaching and learning for years three and four children.

Although inspectors said managers at the school had not demonstrated the capacity to secure the necessary improvements, Mr Atkins was recognised as having made some improvements since his appointment, notably in the personal development of pupils, including their behaviour.

But a Somerset County Council spokesman confirmed this week that Mr Atkins had been "away from work" since early February.

"He has now informed the governing body that he will not be returning to the school," said the spokesman

"The local authority is supporting the governing body in ensuring that the short and long term management of the school is secured as quickly as possible.

"We have no doubt that the issues will be resolved by the end of term and parents will be notified accordingly."

The spokesman said the priority of the local authority, the staff and governors of the school was to ensure that the necessary improvements were made as quickly as possible.

To this end, county council staff had been working with staff and governors at Knights Templar to develop and implement an action plan to achieve this.

Mr Atkins, who was 36 when he took up his post, was formerly deputy headteacher at Cannington Primary School.

Originally from Hertfordshire, he has taught in the Somerset area since graduating from Exeter University where he met his wife Jenny, also a teacher and currently deputy headteacher at Dunster First School.

At the time Knights Templar was placed in special measures, Mr Atkins said the school intended to work hard to address the issues raised by Ofsted.

"I am pleased that our recent improvement and progress has been recognised," he said in a statement in January.

"We will continue to work together as a team to ensure that we keep developing the school.

"I would like to thank all the parents who have shown their support of the school during difficult times and I would like to promise them that we will continue to strive to give their children the best possible start in life."

Knights Templar is currently being led by deputy headteacher Anne Marie Saunders, who was at the helm for two terms following the retirement of long-serving head Alan Woollam in July 2007.

It is expected a locum headteacher will be appointed shortly.

Despite their criticisms, Ofsted inspectors concluded in their report that the school had a caring ethos and that children's spiritual development and behaviour was good.

They praised the school's strong Christian ethos.

Inspectors noted that pupils started school with skills and abilities below those expected for their age, made satisfactory progress in the early years and good progress through into years one and two.

But despite entering year three with standards close to the national average, by the end of year four, standards had fallen.

They said the good practice exhibited in years one and two was not carried on through the school and that the focus on developing basic skills in literacy and numeracy was inconsistent.