A BARNSLEY primary school has been told it ‘requires improvement’ in an Ofsted report published this week.
Laithes Primary at Athersley South was previously known as Richard Newman Primary which was in special measures - Ofsted’s most serious category of failing schools.
The inspection on May 2 was its first since it became an academy as part of the Shire Multi Academy Trust three years ago.
“Until recently, members of the trust did not monitor the quality of teaching at school effectively,” the report says.
“They were unaware of the weaknesses in teaching at key stage two. As a result, the progress that pupils made in year six in 2017 was not strong enough and the standards they reached were too low.
“School leaders do not track the progress that pupils are making well enough in subjects other than English and mathematics.
“Teachers do not always plan lessons that meet the needs of different groups of pupils. Not all teachers have high enough expectations of what pupils can achieve.
Attendance is too low and too many pupils are persistently absent.
“Due to a legacy of weaker teaching, some pupils have gaps in their knowledge and skills. Not all teachers are addressing these gaps as quickly as they could. As a result, attainment is not high enough, including for disadvantaged pupils.
“The school’s motto is ‘learning to fly high’. School leaders and members of the trust understand that there is a way to go before this becomes a reality for pupils at school.”
The report did highlight a number of strengths.
“The new head of school has transformed the school in a relatively short period of time. She is passionate, capable, and effective. She has galvanised school leaders. Together, they are now improving the school at a pace.”
It also says teaching is now stronger due to greater accountability, children make good progress in early years, pupils are courteous, kind and respectful of others.
Nobody at the school was available for comment this week.
