Primary school with two headteachers told to improve by Ofsted

A PRIMARY school with two headteachers has lost its “good” Ofsted rating after inspectors ordered it to improve.

St Ann’s Junior and Infant School in Eastwood, which is run by co-headteachers Lee Rowan and Sharon Blagden, was rated as “requires improvement” overall following the two-day inspection in March.

During its last inspection in 2013, the Eastwood school was rated good in all areas.

The only area of the 421-pupil school to retain its good rating in the latest report was personal development, behaviour and welfare.

Alan Chaffey, lead inspector, said: “The quality of teaching and learning is inconsistent. 

“Leaders have not been vigorous enough in addressing weaknesses.

“Leaders are not monitoring the work of teachers effectively and this is hindering pupils’ progress.

“Governors do not hold leaders sufficiently to account for the school’s performance.

“Teachers’ expectations are not high enough. 

“Too many pupils across the school are working below the expected standard for their age.”

Mr Chaffey said teachers were not routinely challenging the incorrect spelling of simple everyday words in pupils’ writing and too many pupils were working below the expectations for their age in reading, writing and mathematics. 

But he praised the school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare.

“Leaders have established an ethos of care and consideration that runs through all aspects of the school,” he said.

“Pupils spoke highly of their learning experiences and enjoy the curriculum themes that develop real-life experiences and meaningful outcomes.”

To improve, he said, the St Leonard’s Road school needed to improve teaching, quality of leadership and management

The school has been contacted for a comment.

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