THE headteacher of a failing Blackburn school today said he was not given enough time to make a difference before being judged by the education watchdog.

And Ian Bott expressed "disappointment" that the criticisms of Queens Park Technology College came from a three-strong team in school for just a day-and-a-half.

The Shear Brow school, whose motto is "be the best", was recently told by the HMI Ofsted inspectors that it would be put into special measures.

The move comes despite several council-led initiatives implemented at the school in September to improve standards.

Parents received a letter explaining the situation and Mr Bott has set about working on an action plan with Blackburn with Darwen borough council to turn things around within two years.

Darwen Moorland High School has also been put under special measures for failing to provide a satisfactory education for its students.

Mr Bott, in post for just over a term, said: "We are expecting a letter from HMI in the next few weeks detailing the exact criticisms but as this was a three-strong team of inspectors there will not be a detailed report.

"I have been very impressed with the quality and level of support from the the LEA. The Excellence in Cities and Learning Mentors have certainly helped but I feel there has been insufficient time for the changes implemented since September to have had sufficient impact.

"I also believe the inspection criteria have tightened.

"I generally feel disappointed that there was limited acknowledgement of the progress that we have made that there will be no specific detail in the report."

Chair of governors Peter Dawson wrote to parents saying the school was undergoing "challenging circumstances".

He warned the increased work load and pressure on pupils and staff would be "tough".

"I fervently believe that our pupils deserve a better quality of education than they are currently receiving," he said.

"Time is not with us. We hope that this will be a spur to everyone associated with the school to redouble their support in moving it forward."

Queen's Park became the worst performer in East Lancashire in 2003 at GCSE level -- with only 16 per cent of pupils achieving Grades A*-C. In 2000 the figure was lower still at 15 per cent, rising in 2001 to 19, and then falling again to 18 in 2002.

Ian Kendrick, Assistant Director of School Improvement, also said it was disappointing the inspectors failed to acknowledge the "shoots of recovery" that already exist, namely in Key Stage Three test results and the most recent GCSE results.