A headteacher has hit out at inspectors after a primary school was told it must make improvements.
Ofsted told St Andrew’s CE Primary School in Oswaldtwistle it ‘requires improvement’, less than two years after giving it a ‘good’ rating.
Headteacher Christina Wilkinson believes the school has been penalised as a result of more severe grading by Ofsted.
She said: “This has been a very stressful and disappointing time for all the staff, children, governors and parents.
“We were inspected two days before the Christmas holidays. It is only 21 months since our last inspection, when we were judged good.
“Twenty one months ago I had five outstanding teachers, who have gained experience and continued to improve.
“In December I was told that my outstanding teachers are now good and the good teachers now require improvement.
“I was told that this is because Ofsted’s expectations have changed. Despite seeing more good teaching than not, the inspection report says that ‘teaching is not good enough’.”
Ofsted inspectors reported that too few pupils were achieving the expected standards by the time they leave at the end of Year 6.
According to their report progress in reading and maths is ‘too slow’ and boys ‘lag behind’ girls. The quality of teaching is deemed ‘not good enough’ and governors do not have a good grasp of performance data.
However, performance in Key Stage 1 maths and Key Stage 2 writing was found to have improved.
The report added: “Pupils’ behaviour is good. They enjoy learning and working together, their attendance is above average and they say they feel well looked after and safe in school.
“The headteacher, senior leaders, staff and governors work well together. Leaders’ current strategies to improve the quality of teaching are beginning to have an impact on achievement.”
Mrs Wilkinson added that SATs practice sessions have begun to improve exam results.
