A primary school has made improvements since its “inadequate” Ofsted - but there is still room for further development, inspectors say.
Helmingham Community Primary School received the education regulator’s lowest rating after a visit from inspectors over two days in November 2017.
The report criticised school leaders, saying they had “not maintained the school’s standard of education since the last inspection” - adding that “outcomes have declined due to ineffective teaching and a lack of effective monitoring”.
However in a recent report following the school’s first monitoring visit since the inadequate report, inspector Steve Mellors said leaders had provided a clear focus for the school’s improvement.
He wrote in the report: “There is a greater clarity regarding the order in which priorities are tackled.
“Training is targeted well to support the development of teachers and achieve the actions identified in your school improvement plan.”
Inspectors said staff “value the support they are receiving by working alongside teachers in other schools. Consequently, the quality of teaching is improving over time.”
The report continued: “Parents I spoke with were positive about the school’s provision. They told me that staff dealt with concerns effectively and that Helmingham is a safe and happy school.
“Parents appreciate the inclusive and nurturing environment to ensure that pupils’ needs are met well.”
However, the report also acknowledged the need for the school to continue its improvements.
The report said: “You rightly acknowledge that aspects of your work have yet to fully impact on teachers’ practise and pupils’ achievements.”
It also said that the school must improve leadership and management by “ensuring that improvement plans include specific interim targets, so leaders can measure the impact of their actions on raising pupils’ achievement over time”.
A spokesman from the school said: “We are pleased our actions have been recognised by HMI as effective and the school has made progress in all areas.
“We are looking forward to becoming part of the Consortium Multi Academy Trust and continuing our improvement.”
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