A PRIMARY school headteacher has said a “robust action plan” is being implemented after the establishment was criticised by Ofsted inspectors.

The inspectors deemed Shipton Bellinger Primary School “required improvement” overall, following a visit in March this year.

Three areas were given the same rating, including ‘effectiveness of leadership and management’, ‘quality of teaching, learning and assessment’ and ‘outcomes for pupils.’

In the report, it said: “Leaders and governors have not done enough to improve the school since the last inspection.”

Leaders knew what aspects of the school’s work was not good enough, but “they did not follow through their planned actions for improvement with enough rigour.”

However, it added: “Leaders have only just started to evaluate teaching and learning and to put in place actions to improve them.

“It is too early to see whether these are making a difference.”

Throughout the report, inspectors said teachers do not consistently use assessment information to identify what pupils need to learn next and that current pupils make inconsistent progress.

They added governors admitted they are aware they do not fully understand their roles, yet they are committed to the school.

Despite saying the school required improvement, inspectors rated its ‘early years provision’ and ‘personal development, behaviour and welfare as “good”.

The report said: “Pupils enjoy good relationships with adults and each other.

“They feel safe and are proud to belong to the school.

“They behave well in lessons and around the school.”

In order to improve inspectors recommended governors hold senior leaders to account on teaching and learning quality and to improve upon pupils’ attainment and rates of progress from their starting points.

Rebecca Roberts, headteacher, said: “This is the first inspection the school has had since 2013.

“There is a new headteacher and deputy headteacher now in post.

“When I began leading the school, in January of this year, one of the first steps I took was to evaluate the school.

“In doing so, I identified both clear strengths and areas for development.

“The areas for improvement, highlighted by Ofsted, are in line with my own assessment of the school for which we have developed, and are implementing, a robust action plan.

“I am pleased that Ofsted inspectors recognised this and noted the enthusiasm of the teaching staff in taking forward our plans.

“We are working closely with the county council’s school improvement team, to drive these actions forward in order to bring about rapid improvement.

“Both governors and staff are committed to raising standards and are excited about the direction the school is now taking.”