education chiefs forced to send in a troubleshooter to an Eastleigh school for emotionally-disturbed youngsters have pledged to step up their support during a shake-up of its leadership.

The search is already on for a new headteacher for Pitmore Special School in Chandler's Ford after the resignation of its former head forced government watchdogs to cancel a planned inspection.

In the meantime, the school's attached inspector from the county council's standards and improvements department, Chris Lloyd, has been brought in to run the beleaguered school until the end of this term.

A deputy head from a similar school will be appointed acting-head next year while the education authority continues to seek a permanent replacement.

The Winchester Road school, which caters for 50 boys aged 11-16 with emotional and behavioural problems, was thrown into turmoil by the departure of its headteacher ahead of the Ofsted inspection scheduled to take place last week.

A spokeswoman for the county council said it had not yet been announced when the inspection would now take place but added that it had been deferred while the school shake-up was being dealt with.

She added: "The school will receive considerable support from Hampshire County Council.

"In January Chris will revert to his role as attached inspector and will provide more support for the new acting head."

The spokeswoman also explained that Pitmore's previous head had resigned to pursue "further professional development".