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Struggling primary school told to improve
6:02pm Monday 7th April 2008
A PRIMARY school has been told to improve by Government inspectors, who said that pupils were not making enough progress.
St Oswald's Primary School, Knuzden, requires "significant improvement" in all areas according to Ofsted, which said the school has declined in recent years due to staffing problems.
The current head is praised for halting the decline and "keeping the school moving in the right direction", and inspectors say "signs are more promising for the future".
But Ofsted, which has given the school a "notice to improve" criticises governors for their lack of support.
"Notice to improve" is one step away from being placed in special measures, and means a school is under-performing in most areas.
If the school remains inadequate after a year, it is likely to go into special measures.
Andrea Gray, who took over as head of the Stanhill Road school in June 2005 after three years as deputy, said the report had not come as a surprise.
She said: "We had already requested support from the local authority as we were aware that there were issues that needed improvement.
"We have had a lot of staffing instability; when I became head I then had no deputy for over a year.
"Due to long term sickness and career changes, we have had four new staff members, and we only have seven classes.
"I had other, confidential issues to deal with and it was, overall, an extremely difficult period.
"But we have turned the corner, and all of us are determined to move forward.
"I welcome this report because it draws a line under everything - the only way is up for us now."
Whilst the school's overall effectiveness is inadequate, with poor teaching and below average standards, inspectors found pupils' development to be good.
They enjoy coming to school and have good behaviour and positive attitudes, and are well looked after, the report said.
Your Say YourTelegraph
Informed Parent, Blackburn says...
12:05pm Wed 9 Apr 08
Joseph Yossarian wrote:Mr. Yossarian: Amazing that you can make such a comment about a Lancashire school all the way form London! Please check your facts before sharing your lazy and misplaced wonderments.
I find myself wondering if those identified as poor performers are amongst those threatening strike action.......
And Ms Lewis, I suppose its a good time to pick on schools with the strike action looming (hence the two week delay in publishing this piece). It's just a shame that you pick one which isn't closing because of strike action!
And no mention of the fact that the same report states that the school is very successfully instilling Christian values into its pupils. That wouldn't be very newsworthy I suppose...
Informed Parent, Blackburn says...
12:14pm Wed 7 May 08
Informed Parent wrote:I am a parent with 3 children that are attending this school & well what can I say that the Ofsted report hasn't already said!!!! I feel I must point out to readers that this school has only declined since the new headteacher took up post! The school needs good leadership - how dare she blame this on the governors, staffing issues & other personal problems. She gets paid a big hefty salary - what does she expect? We all have problems & responsibilities at work but most of us get on with it & don't blame anyone else for mistakes or poor management. Whilst instilling Christian values is good, this doesn't teach children to read & write - so this proves that the school have definately got their priorities wrong. The school is far too busy attending church sessions & spending a huge amount of time in their daily assemblies. Infact if this school spent as much time on learning the curriculum as it does on christian values then the Ofsted report would have been much more positive!!!!
Joseph Yossarian wrote: I find myself wondering if those identified as poor performers are amongst those threatening strike action.......Mr. Yossarian: Amazing that you can make such a comment about a Lancashire school all the way form London! Please check your facts before sharing your lazy and misplaced wonderments. And Ms Lewis, I suppose its a good time to pick on schools with the strike action looming (hence the two week delay in publishing this piece). It\'s just a shame that you pick one which isn\'t closing because of strike action! And no mention of the fact that the same report states that the school is very successfully instilling Christian values into its pupils. That wouldn\'t be very newsworthy I suppose...
Lawrence, South West Rover says...
10:32pm Sat 28 Jun 08
Your sayYourTelegraph
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Joseph Yossarian, London says...
10:30am Tue 8 Apr 08