IT is hard not to feel some sympathy for the staff of York High School. The school has been very publicly criticised by Ofsted - labelled “inadequate” and put into special measures following the latest inspection.

Inspectors said the school was “coasting”, and highlighted weak teaching, inadequate progress by pupils and high levels of absenteeism among other things.

These are not what we expect from a York school. But as head teacher David Ellis points out, York High is at a disadvantage compared to some York schools when it comes to new and more difficult exam systems and Ofsted’s “very challenging” expectations. Many York High students come from comparatively challenging backgrounds, and they can find the more traditional style of exams difficult.

That is undoubtedly true. It is also true that until the new emphasis on traditional exams was brought in, York High was being rated “good” by Ofsted. It is hard not to conclude that the new exam system suits some children better than others.

That said, we should be expecting the very best for all our children - as Mr Ellis himself acknowledges.

Now that it has been put into special measures, York High is required by law to become an academy.

Talks are already under way with the South Bank Multi Academy Trust, which includes Millthorpe, Knavesmire and Scarcroft schools.

The hope is that by becoming part of an academy York High will have access to advice and support that will enable it to address the problems that have led to it being rated inadequate. We very much hope that that will prove to be the case.