Members of Bracknell Forest Council’s Schools Forum agreed that Brakenhale School, in Easthampstead, should receive an allocation of £280,000, which will be used to improve middle leadership development, give stronger governance, and coaching to develop teaching.

The labouring Rectory Lane school was given a rating of “requires improvement” – the second-lowest grade available – in its latest report from education watchdogs Ofsted in March. Inspectors highlighted issues such as inconsistent marking, low-level disruption from pupils and poor lesson planning as some of the reasons for the low grade.

A follow-up inspection in July concluded that the school’s leadership team was not taking effective action to address the priorities and added that, as a result, the school was at risk of more serious concerns.

The forum also discussed the school’s leadership arrangements following the sudden retirement of head teacher Paul Salter in September.

The school is currently being managed by Edgbarrow School in Crowthorne’s head teacher Bob Elsey. The forum acknowledged that it was in the school’s best interests that Mr Elsey continue in the role into the next term at least as it would be unlikely it would receive a permanent head teacher before September next year.

In the council report it stated: “The intention is the executive head teacher continues on a part-time basis from January 2015, maintaining overall responsibility for the effective running of the school.

“The recruitment process is under way but it is unlikely there will be a substantive head teacher in post before September 2015.” The council will continue to work with the school’s governors to carry out improvements to address the issues raised in Ofsted’s follow-up report in July.