A SCHOOL has been told not to appoint early career teachers after it received an Inadequate Ofsted report.

Heckmondwike Primary School, on Cawley Lane, had been rated Good until inspectors visited on January 25-27.

In its report, the watchdog identified problems with attendance, leadership, and the education Heckmondwike Primary provides.

Bosses at the school say they are working closely with Kirklees Council to fix the issues.

The report starts by saying: "Pupils at Heckmondwike Primary receive a very poor standard of education."

It adds: "Children in the early years do not experience an acceptable education. Despite some recent improvements in the Reception Year, many weaknesses remain."

On attendance, the report said: "A significant number of pupils are persistently absent from school and this is showing little or no sign of improvement.

"Leaders are working determinedly with families to ensure that pupils’ attendance improves. Despite this, attendance rates remain stubbornly low."

Pupils "do not achieve well" because "leaders have not ensured that staff are well trained in delivering the school’s curriculum".

The report also said: "Pupils’ knowledge of healthy relationships and fundamental British values are not well developed. Consequently, pupils are not being sufficiently well prepared for life in modern Britain."

Leadership at the school is "weak" with Governors accepting "too much of what leaders tell them without question".

The report said: "The pupils who attend this school, particularly pupils with SEND, have been failed by deep-rooted weaknesses in leadership."

Although, inspectors did say the arrangements for safeguarding are "effective".

They added that pupils are "friendly, courteous and behave well" as bullying is "rare" and staff respond quickly if it does happen.

The report ended by saying: "Having considered the evidence, the inspectors strongly recommend that leaders and those responsible for governance do not seek to appoint early career teachers."

A spokesperson for the school said: "Whilst we are extremely disappointed by the overall outcome, the school and governors accept Ofsted’s judgement identified in the report.

"Prior to the inspection, the school were already working with the local authority to address some of the issues raised by Ofsted.

"The school continues to address these issues in order to make rapid improvements and we will continue to work alongside the local authority."

Since the inspection, the school has appointed an Executive Headteacher to lead and drive improvements and add additional leadership capacity.

They also say they have improved their curriculum and provision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).