Aberdeenshire Council is stepping in to support a school branded “weak” across the board by inspectors.
Ordiquhill School near Cornhill was criticised following a visit earlier this year.
Now councillors have been asked to back the education service’s ongoing efforts to improve standards.
The rural primary was branded weak in five categories – improvements in performance, learners’ experience, meeting learning needs, the curriculum and improvement through self-evaluation.
In a letter to parents, HM inspector Sadie Cushley said: “There have been significant weaknesses in the leadership of the curriculum, children’s attainment, and in ensuring children’s learning needs are well met.
“The school is at the early stages of developing a culture of continuous improvement. Staff now need greater leadership and direction to help it improve its work.”
She added that the new staff team was committed to improving the school and had the full backing of the local authority.
Ordiquhill was without a permanent head teacher for the start of the 2014-15 academic year and two probationers were drafted in to boost staffing levels.
The school’s performance will be discussed at the Banff and Buchan area committee on Tuesday.
In a report to councillors, Aberdeenshire Council’s quality improvement officer Moira Lawson said: “Targeted staff development is in place. There is an increased focus on improving learning and teaching.
“The acting head teacher is setting high expectations for this through team teaching and modelling good practice. She is very aware of the need to work closely with parents and has developed a positive open door approach.
“As a result of this inspection Education Scotland thinks that the school needs additional support and more time to make necessary improvements.”
It is understood inspectors will return to the school within the year. Parents will be updated on how improvements are progressing.
Despite a host of concerns about Ordiquhill, inspectors had praise for its nursery and the polite and friendly pupils.