In the latest findings, Government inspector Mark Mumby concluded there had been inadequate improvements made at Sunnyside Primary School since the last monitoring visit in March.

The school, in Reynard Way, Kingsthorpe, was placed on the list by Ofsted inspectors in October 2007 because there were too many serious weaknesses, particularly in teaching and the curriculum.

Mr Mumby said standards in English, maths and science had not increased sufficiently with many pupils not reaching their full capability despite school records showing an increase in performance.

He said: "Evidence in pupils' work indicates the school's assessments of attainment in science are frequently over-generous. Consequently, the school's data masks significant underachievement in this area."

The inspector also referred to significant underachievement in writing through key stage two, seven to 11-year-olds.

He said ICT was having a significant impact on improving pupils' learning and the school's new approach to behaviour management had resulted in an improvement in children's attitudes and behaviour.

"However, when work does not challenge pupils sufficiently or they spend too long on activities, behaviour often deteriorates. At its worst pupils call out, fail to respond to teacher directions, and occasionally hit each other."

Mr Mumby said the quality of teaching was not improving rapidly enough and, although marking had improved, it still lacked consistency. Some teachers also lacked good subject knowledge.

He added: "The very recent appointment of a consultant headteacher to support the substantive headteacher (David Rosevear) is a sensible move."

The school has been given permission to cut its intake numbers to help it climb out of the special measures category.

Governors were given approval by the schools adjudicator this week to reduce its admission numbers from 45 to 30 from September 2009.