Inspectors have recognised “huge changes” at a Suffolk primary school, but they still felt it “requires improvement”.

Ofsted praised leaders at Woolpit Primary Academy, but said the quality of teaching needs to be improved as well as outcomes for pupils.

Inspectors, who visited the school in November, felt overall it “requires improvement”, but awarded good ratings for early years provision, personal development, behaviour and welfare and effectiveness of leadership and management.

The report said since the appointment of headteacher Jen Carlyle in September 2017 she “has worked quickly to set high expectations for pupils’ behaviour” and “has established an inclusive, nurturing culture that is shared by pupils, parents, carers and staff”.

And one parent commented: ‘The school has improved no end since the new headteacher has been in post.’

Ms Carlyle said: “Our recent Ofsted inspection has many positive elements.

“Whilst we were disappointed to remain as ‘requires improvement’ as our overall judgement, we were very pleased that the Ofsted team recognised the huge changes in the school since September 2017 when the current leadership team took over.

“We were particularly pleased that the inspectors picked out the uniquely caring and inclusive ethos of the school, supported by fantastic parent feedback.

“Many of the judgements made were preceded by comments about the relatively short time in which change had happened and indicated a capacity to improve even more quickly in the future, acknowledging the ‘good’ leadership and management of the school.”

She added the inspectors picked out “the strength of our hard-working governing body who have supported change and improvement through the school”.

The report said the quality of teaching and learning varied across the school, which has resulted in pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, making progress that is not good enough in reading, writing, mathematics and other subjects.

It also said over the last two years, too few pupils have achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of year two and year six.

To improve, Ofsted wants teachers to raise their expectations of what pupils’ can achieve, use accurate assessment information, ensure that mathematics activities enable pupils to develop their knowledge and skills in reasoning and problem-solving and provide increased opportunities for students to write more fluently and at greater length across the curriculum.

Ms Carlyle said: “There is a clear plan for the school to continue to progress and we are all optimistic and excited about the future of Woolpit Primary Academy.

“We are very proud of our school, the staff, the pupils, the parents and the Woolpit community and look forward to moving the school onwards.”

Woolpit Primary Academy is run by the Thedwastre Education Trust.