A primary school in west Suffolk that was previously rated “good” by Government inspectors now “requires improvement”, according to the latest Ofsted report.

The rating, which is the third lowest out of four scores handed out by Ofsted, followed a visit to Great Waldingfield Primary in June.

Inspectors judged that students were not making enough progress in English and maths, and that teaching was not consistently good enough to enable pupils to make good progress.

Another reason for the drop in rating was that attendance at the Folly Road school is below average.

The school governors were also deemed not to have enough detailed knowledge of the variations in standards and progress across the school.

However, in his report, lead inspector Gavin Jones noted that pupils’ behaviour was good and sometimes exemplary. He also said the school provided well for pupils’ social and cultural development. Following the schools re-organisation in Suffolk, it is the first year that Great Waldingfield has had students in year six and there are only nine pupils in this year group.

In addition, headteacher Tina Hosford has only been at the school since September and Mr Jones recognised changes made by her had not had sufficient time to take effect.

A statement issued by the school read: “We are particularly proud that a strength of the school is the behaviour of the children.”

A deputy headteacher with a proven track record in raising standards has also been appointed and will start in September.