The government's school inspectorate, Ofsted, has apologised to children and parents for what it describes as its failings in dealing with claims of sexual abuse at a Hampshire school.

Ofsted launched an inquiry following the revelations of abuse at Stanbridge Earl's School near Romsey, and today published a statement into the inquiry's findings.

The schools watchdog also says it has taken disciplinary action up to and including dismissal of staff.

In the statement, it acknowledges weaknesses and failings in the processes used when inspecting schools, saying that inspectors failed to "get underneath" what the problems at the school actually were.

This follows a Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability Tribunal, which found earlier this year that the school had discriminated against a girl and that staff members failed to tell the youngster's parents that she had complained of pain in an intimate part of her body.

As previously reported, the tribunal found that a vulnerable youngster had suffered “appalling abuse” at the hands of another student, while the school was slammed by panel members for being “unsystematic, unprofessional, ad hoc and completely inadequate” when it came to protecting the youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

It was revealed last month that Stanbridge Earls will close later this year.

In the Ofsted statement, Sir Michael Wilshaw said:

"Inspection is part of the safety net designed to protect children from harm and it is clear from our review of Ofsted’s involvement with Stanbridge Earls School that our inspections should have got underneath what was happening sooner.

"Our most recent inspections in January, March and June 2013 make clear Ofsted’s concerns, specifically regarding safeguarding, leadership and governance and what the school must do to improve.

"We offer our sincerest apologies to the parents and children who have been affected by historic events at Stanbridge Earls.

"We have learnt lessons from Stanbridge Earls that will make our systems, structures, processes and practices more effective.

"We cannot turn back the clock on what has happened at Stanbridge Earls School, but our actions show that when we get it wrong, we acknowledge our mistakes, take decisive action, and ensure that we use the learning to improve."