School numbers drop as students replace families

A city primary school told to improve by Ofsted has seen its pupil numbers plummet due to an increase in students moving in nearby.

In a worrying report released by the education watchdog, inspector Margaret Coussins says families living near Parkside Community Primary School have been re-housed to make way for students, leading to a dwindling school roll.

This has affected the budget, causing “uncertainty” over its future. “Since the previous inspection, the school roll has declined,” said Ms Coussins.

“Much of the housing in the estate where the school is located has now been turned over to student accommodation, with families being re-housed.

“This has had an impact on the school’s budget and there remains uncertainty regarding the future. As a result, recruitment has been difficult and several staff are on temporary contracts.”

The school in Tennyson Avenue is smaller than the average primary, having just one class in each year group.

In the latest inspection, its ‘good’ rating dropped to ‘requires improvement’ and school leaders were ordered to improve pupils’ outcome in reading, writing and maths, and strengthen its leadership and management.

Ms Coussins said, however, that head teacher Ann Beaven works well with her deputy to form a strong team.

“They have managed the considerable turbulence in staffing and the changing profile of the school well,” she said.

“Despite a decline in the school’s performance since the last inspection and a legacy of underachievement, pupils’ progress and the quality of teach teaching and learning are now improv improving.”

But she stressed the quality of teaching is inconsistent and there are too few opportunities for pupils to develop and apply their skills.

She added: “Teachers’ expectations of pupils’ achievement are not sufficiently high enough or clearly explained. Consequently, pupils are not always clear about the purpose of their learning.

“The work of some middle leaders does not have a full impact on improving the quality of teaching and learning and pupils’ achievement.”

The report pointed out that pupils behaved well and showed positive attitudes to their learning.