Education minister's school failing

Grazebrook Primary School now faces regular monitoring to assess its progress in making the improvements deemed necessary in a critical Ofsted report.

The 460-pupil school, in Stoke Newington, north east London, was described as "failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education", with the report concluding that its overall effectiveness was inadequate.

"Her Majesty's Chief Inspector is of the opinion that this school requires special measures because it is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education," the report said.

Mr Balls and his wife, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper, whose children number among the school's pupils, would not comment.

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper have consistently taken the view that, while they are public figures, their children are not and have a right to privacy.

"They do not discuss the details of their children's education and do not intend to do so."

Grazebrook's leaders, managers and governors were criticised for failing to take sufficient action over health and safety concerns and for not reacting quickly enough to address falling standards in maths and science.

The inspection, which was carried out on March 12 and 13, found that "too many areas of improvement from the last inspection have not been addressed and a number of key judgments indicate the school's overall effectiveness has declined".

The last inspection report for Grazebrook, published in 2004, described the school as "good".