Primary vows to improve after unfavourable Ofsted visit
A PRIMARY school in Waterfoot has been told by Ofsted it requires improvement.
St Anne’s Church of England Primary, Edgeside was found to require changes in three out of five key assessment criteria: leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment and outcomes for pupils.
Inspectors said in their report: “The quality of teaching is not good enough to ensure pupils make consistently good progress and reach standards expected of them.
“The most able pupils are not stretched enough academically. Too much of the work in pupils’ books is incomplete, of a low standard, or poorly presented.”
They added key stage one standards had been ‘too low for too long’ and improvements in key stage two were ‘not consistent’.
Senior leaders were criticised for being ‘overly positive’ in evaluating the school’s performance and not ‘rigorous enough’ in comparing it to other schools’.
The report added: “The school development plan does not focus sufficiently on its main weaknesses. It lacks clear targets for improvement and measures to check how well the school is progressing towards those targets.
“Governors have not been sufficiently rigorous in identifying the underperformance in the school and questioning reasons for it.”
The school was praised however for good early years provision. Inspectors said: “The curriculum is rich and varied, with strong provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.”
They added: “Pupils behave well around the school and relate well to each other and adults.”
Headteacher Charlotte Hartley said: “While disappointed with the outcome, we accept the findings and have actions in place to address issues.
“As inspectors ●● St Anne’s CE Primary has been told to improve by Ofsted recognised, this is a small school which has been through a challenging transition period, including my appointment as new headteacher.
“We’ve made significant changes and are committed to further improving leadership and management of the school.
“We’re working with council advisers on an improvement plan with clear timescales and are reviewing governors’ training as most were appointed recently.”
Miss Hartley added she was pleased inspectors had praised many things. She said: “We’re determined to build on our many strengths, tackle areas that need improvement and ensure children receive the education they deserve.” CONTACT: DANIELLE ROPER OFFICE: 0161 2112295 @RoperDanielle DANIELLE.ROPER@TRINITYMIRROR.COM