PROBLEMS have been resolved at an Isle of Wight primary school after it was hit with a two-star food hygiene rating.

The headteacher called the rating 'disappointing and frustrating'.

Barton Primary School has responded to the Isle of Wight Council's recent environmental health report which meant improvement was necessary at the Newport school, assuring parents every effort has been taken to make the kitchen safe.

Inspectors found there was no hot water in the kitchen wash hand basin and a slip hazard created by a leaking steam oven.

The issues had been reported by the school's catering company Compass but wasn't immediately rectified by the primary school.

Headteacher Mark Snow has now said all the issues identified in the council's report have been resolved over the summer — including the water problems.

He said: "While the grading is frustrating and disappointing, we have of course been working with the catering team and the local authority to ensure the rating is improved as soon as possible."

Mr Snow said a project commissioned by the Isle of Wight Council — costing £120,000 — has refitted the heating and water systems across the site.

It was already planned before the food hygiene inspection and has since been completed, he said.

Inspectors have been back to the school to see the work and acknowledged all of the work has been followed, with a re-inspection set to take place in the coming weeks, he said.

Mr Snow said: "I would like to assure you every effort from the school and the catering company has been made to ensure that our kitchens are safe."

Chartwells, the parent company of Compass, said it would not be appropriate for it to comment on the inspector's report as the structural and cleaning issues were the responsibility of the school.