Maureen Strudwick, headteacher at Thomas Clarkson Community College, said there is a recruitment issue and schools across the area are struggling to attract new staff.

One parent contacted the Citizen concerned over the number of supply teachers at the school.

The mother claimed a lack of specialised teaching in some areas was affecting her children's education.

Mrs Strudwick readily admits there are supply teachers at the school, but said it is unavoidable at the moment as there is no permanent staff to replace them.

"We have advertised for teachers and only received a couple of applications," Mrs Strudwick said.

She said the school have been working hard to rectify the supply teacher issue and has dropped the number from 10 per cent in 2006, when the former Queen's School was placed in special measures, to the current two per cent.

New teachers are also being trained and Mrs Strudwick said a number of those have been judged to be "outstanding".

Thomas Clarkson Community College is working closely with Fenland District Council to try and help the recruitment problem, doing what Mrs Strudwick is calls "joined-up thinking".

A Fenland council spokesperon said: "We understand that the nature of the district means that it can be a challenge to recruit teachers to this area.

"That is why we have committed to supporting the schools in Fenland, including Thomas Clarkson, to promote the district as a great place to live, work and visit.

"We are actively engaged with our partner organisations to help support teacher recruitment and retention in Fenland."