School criticised in Ofsted report
STAFF at a primary school have been slammed by inspectors in a recent Ofsted report.
Teachers and management at Christ the King Primary School in Macclesfield, have been blamed as the school was given an ‘inadequate’ rating.
The report states that staff have ‘ overseen the decline of the school’s effectiveness since the previous inspection’ in 2014, when the school was rated as ‘good’.
Inspectors Maggie Parker and Mike Merva observed lessons and spoke to both pupils and parents during their visit to the school.
In their report they wrote the school was failing due to poor teaching, mismanagement of funding, and poor leadership.
They wrote: “A legacy of weak teaching and a high turnover of teachers has resulted in a notable decline in pupils’ outcomes. By the end of year six, pupils’ progress and attainment in reading, writing and mathematics are well below average.
“Some subject leaders lack the skills required to lead their areas of responsibility effectively.
“Additional funding is not used effectively to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities.”
Despite the damning report, inspectors did note that the school had some strengths, such as leadership of English and maths.
The report also said that the standard of teaching in Key Stage 1 and lower Key Stage 2 was improving.
There is also praise for pupils’ ‘spiritual, moral, social and cultural development’, with ‘ opportunities for pupils to participate in sports and to learn about different cultures and religions’.
According to the inspectors the governors of the school have been actively working to improve standards.
Jenni Hardy, newly appointed chair of the Interim Executive Gov- ernance Board for Christ the King School, said: “The report is disappointing. Whilst the findings are broadly as expected, it is reassuring to know that we are on the right path and already improving in the areas that have been prioritised.
“We now need to work with increased pace to improve overall performance outcomes for pupils and to make lasting change happen. Parents have been generally supportive of both the Head Teacher and staff and our overall direction of travel.”