School told it must improve

INSPECTORS have told Astmoor Primary School in Runcorn it needs to improve because there is not enough good teaching.

Ofsted said issues included the most able students not always being challenged enough, disadvantaged pupils not making the rapid progress they need, ‘uneven’ levels of progress and the lack of opportunity to learn a modern foreign language.

The inspection team of Lyn Pender, lead inspector, and Mavis Smith, also warned that some pupils cannot read well enough to understand their maths workbook, the quality of teaching is inconsistent, governors are not provided with enough information to monitor progress and their plans to find out the views of parents, children and staff were ‘at an early stage’, adding that the school does not plan sufficiently for the areas that need the most development.

Astmoor Primary was graded as ‘requires improvement’ overall and in the assessment categories for effectiveness, teaching and outcomes.

However, the inspectors rated it ‘good’ for pupil behaviour, development and welfare and also for early years. They highlighted strengths. The report said Asmoor’s children making a good start in their early years due to good teaching, the school ‘excels’ in its efforts to support vulnerable pupils and their families, youngsters with special needs make good progress, the school is ‘caring’ and behave well and governors are ‘passionate about what they do’.

Astmoor is a state school run by Halton Borough Council.

It is based on Kingshead Close in Castlefields and has 160 pupils on its roll.

Louisa Aldridge, Astmoor headteacher, welcome the compliments in the report and said it was tackling any issues raised.

She said: “The school already has a development plan in place to improve aspects identified by Ofsted.

“Inspectors judged the school to be good in relation to the personal development, behaviour and welfare of pupils and also for the effectiveness of their Early Years provision.

“Inspectors found that, leaders and governors are passionate about what they do and are committed to improving Astmoor Primary and are working closely with the support of the local authority.

“Inspectors also commented that the school is a caring community.

“Pupils are happy and feel safe.

“They behave well.”