Former ‘good’ school is told it must do better
But staff are proud of the positive aspects of report
APRIMARY school has dropped from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’ following an Ofsted inspection.
Ofsted says Accrington Spring Hill Community Primary School ‘requires improvement’ following a visit from inspectors on November 28 and 29.
The Exchange Street based school was rated ‘good’ in the categories; behaviour and attitudes, personal development , leadership and ma n a g e m e n t and early years provision.
The school was given ‘requires improvement’ for its quality of education and therefore the school was rated a ‘requires improvement’ overall.
However, headteacher, Helen Kershaw, says staff are proud of the school and are pleased Ofsted recognised their achievements and hard work.
The report, which was published on February 6, applauded Spring Hill for its commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment, ensuring that every pupil, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receives an education that is both challenging and supportive.
The report reads: “Staff are well trained to understand how to meet the needs of pupils with SEND.
“This helps pupils with SEND to learn the curriculum alongside their peers.”
Inspectors also acknowledged that the school has made ‘transformational, positive changes required to improve the quality of education for pupils’ and describe the overhauled curriculum as ‘well thought out’ and ‘ambitious for all pupils’.
However, they noted ‘weaknesses’ in the previous curriculum which means that ‘some pupils have developed gaps in their learning over time.’
The report reads: “Some teachers are still developing their expertise to deliver aspects of the curriculum successfully. This hinders how well some pupils acquire and develop a deep understanding of subjects over time.
“As the school implements its refined curriculum, it should ensure that teachers are supported to deliver subject content consistently well.
“In where those subjects the curriculum remains in development, th d the school is st still shaping it its approaches to assessment.
“This preve vents teachers fr from identifyin ing some pu pupils’ misc conceptions an and the gaps in their prior learning as quickly as they should.
“The school should ensure that, as it develops assessment systems in these subjects, teachers are suitably equipped to check that pupils’ earlier learning is secure.”
Headteacher, Helen Kershaw, said: “We are immensely proud of our school and it is good that Ofsted have recognised our achievements.
She continued: “This positive report is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, the resilience of our children and the unwavering support of parents and the wider community.
“We are committed to building on our successes and will continue to strive for excellence in education, ensuring that our pupils receive the best possible learning experience, with whatever support they may need, to prepare them for the best possible future.”
The school was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in 2018.
Together they even travelled to Australia and Trinidad and Tobago to watch England play.
Joan’s family would like to thank Higher Heys Surgery, the District Nurses and East Lancashire Hospice for all their support.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 7 at St Mary’s RC Church in Clayton-leMoors, followed by a private cremation.
Family flowers only, or if so desired, donations may be made in memory of Joan to East Lancashire Hospice c/o Hyndburn Funeral Services, Penny
House Lane, Queens Road, Accrington BB5 6DR Tel:- 01254 233133
For more information, please contact Isabelle Turner - 07393981711