A SCHOOL has been ordered to improve following a visit from Ofsted inspectors.

The education watchdog visited St William’s Catholic Primary School, Young Street, Girlington, in July and judged its overall effectiveness as ‘requires improvement’ - the same as in an inspection two years ago.

The report states: “Leaders and governors have not improved the school’s overall effectiveness since the previous inspection. Teaching and pupils’ outcomes still require improvement.

“Children in the early years do not make good progress...by the end of Reception, too few children are ready for learning in Year 1.”

Inspectors also said teaching is “variable in quality” and assessment information is not used to plan and provide work which meets the needs and abilities of pupils.

“Plans to support pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language are vague,” the report says.

“These pupils do not make good progress. Poor speaking skills of some pupils hamper their progress, particularly in writing.”

The school’s curriculum is criticised for failing to motivate and excite pupils in their learning, attendance is highlighted as being below average and the report also says pupils’ behaviour needs to improve.

However, it says the new headteacher is taking “swift and decisive action to drive school improvement forward”, which is beginning to have a positive impact.

It also says teaching in upper Key Stage 2 is good, pupils are “welcoming and friendly”, safeguarding arrangements are effective and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is said to be strong.

Headteacher Paul Urry said the school accepts the findings of the report and the work it is doing is already improving results. He added the school is “committed to delivering the best possible education for the children” in its care.

A Bradford Council spokesperson added: "The school has a well targeted programme for improvement in place and staff, pupils and parents are working together. It is encouraging to see the inspectors’ report praises the school’s headteacher and senior leaders for the impact their work is having.

“We want all Bradford pupils to attend a school that is good or better and we have confidence that St William’s Catholic Primary will continue to improve.”