Myrtle Park Primary School rated as requiring improvement

Myrtle Park Primary School had been rated as good after its previous Ofsted inspection in July 2013.

But after inspectors returned earlier this month it has now been rated as requiring improvement in four out of the five areas of its inspection: effectiveness of leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; outcomes for pupils and early years provision.

But the Ash Terrace school was rated as good for the personal development, behaviour and welfare of its pupils.

The inspection found expectations of children when they entered the school’s early years were too low.

Inspectors said activities were not sharply focused on what children needed to le arn, which led to pupils’ progress not being fast enough.

It also said “recent turbulence” in staffing and the management of budget constraints had distracted the school’s leaders from its pupils’ progress.

The report states: “Although the majority of parents are happy, the reduction in staffing has resulted in some loss of confidence in leadership and management.

“Parents raised concerns about the school’s special educational needs provision.

“Insufficient attention has been given to monitoring the attendance of pupils who have special educational needs.

“Support for those pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities has not been well co-ordinated or effectively monitored.”

But Myrtle Park was praised for some high-quality teaching, a well-planned curriculum, and pupils’ good behaviour. Inspectors said it was a caring school where the pupils felt safe.

The school’s head teacher, Sarah Crowther, was not available for comment yesterday, but in a statement to parents on the school’s website she said the school was already addressing the areas for improvement in the report, including increasing the rates of progress for lower-attaining pupils and those with special educational needs.