A SCHOOL that has been hailed by the Government as a beacon school has been heavily criticised by inspectors.

Highworth Warneford School receives extra money every year because, as a top performer, it shares its teaching methods with other schools.

But education inspectors who visited it recently found problems with leadership and management, monitoring of progress and consistency in the marking routine.

The report from Ofsted the Office for Standards in Education also highlights shortfalls in the curriculum, especially in design and technology, religious education and information technology.

The report is another blow to Swindon Council's education authority, which has itself been criticised as failing by Government inspectors.

The council's director of education Dr Mike Lusty and his right hand man Ian Bennett yesterday announced their early retirement.

Their weak leadership were among the problems identified by the inspectors.

Highworth Warneford School head teacher John Saunders says he will act to put right problems identified by inspectors.

He says he has launched an action plan to rectify the faults identified.

Officials who visited Highworth Warneford School found fault with leadership and management, the curriculum, monitoring of progress and consistency in the marking routine.

This was in spite of their finding much to praise in the school's exam performance and teaching standards, as well as the punctuality and behaviour of pupils and much of the leadership given by teachers.

Mr Saunders said today: "We accept the findings of the report, and we have already begun preparation of an action plan that will address all of the weaknesses.

"We see this as an opportunity to move the school forward, and are determined that Highworth Warne-ford School should continue to be one of the best schools in the area, providing high-quality education for the young people in our community."

Along with its fellow Highworth School, Northview Primary, Warne-ford is classed by the Government as a Beacon School a status awarded to schools considered to be top performers.

Such schools receive extra funding, averaging £35,000 per year.

Warneford's exam performance is regularly the best or among the best in Swindon borough.

As recently as August, the Evening Advertiser told how one Warneford pupil, Claire Phillips, was among the top five scorers from among 352,000 GCSE English pupils.

But the Ofsted report highlights a number of problems, including:

n Aspects of leadership and management, particularly in monitoring and developing the school's performance.

n A curriculum that does not meet all statutory requirements, notably for certain pupils in design and technology, religious education and information technology.

n Insufficient monitoring of teaching and learning, which is judged vital for the sharing of good practice and improving weaker teaching.

n Inconsistency in the routine marking of pupils' work.

Mr Saunders added: "The report praised a lot of different aspects of the school and identified some weaknesses.

"Once it is published, we are given 40 days to draw up an action plan, and we have already started working on that.

"I think Ofsted inspectors look for certain particular things in schools, and there are aspects of this one that haven't met their expectations.

"But this is a good school."

Chair of Governors Phillip Wirth said: "What the inspectors are saying is that we have a great school here, but that it could be better.

"We are determined to put right what the inspectors see as weaknesses the board is committed to this, as are Mr Saunders and the senior management team."