An infant school previously classed as ‘outstanding’ by the education watchdog has been told it must do better.
Great Moor Infant School, in Stockport, was awarded top marks back in 2007, and officials were happy that standard had been maintained at an ‘interim’ visit three years later.
This meant it was exempt from further inspections until Ofsted assessments were overhauled in 2020.
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But it has now been told it ‘requires improvement’ after inspectors visited the Southwood Road school for the first time in over a decade.
While a newly published report finds plenty to praise, it also found significant shortcomings that the school has been told it must address.
Inspectors acknowledge that leaders have ‘developed an ambitious and well-organised curriculum’ to prepare pupils for the next stage of their education.
But the report adds: “However, teachers do not deliver the curriculum equally well in all subjects. Consequently, some pupils in Key Stage 1 are not able to recall their learning in different subjects.
“Furthermore, children in the early years do not achieve as well as they should. This is because leaders are still developing the early years curriculum.”
Inspectors also found that not all youngsters with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) were having their needs met, meaning some were not making the progress they should.
Another area of concern was phonics - a way of teaching children how to read a write, which involves matching the sounds of spoken English with individual letters.
The report reads: “Pupils at the early stages of reading benefit from practising their reading with books that match the sounds that they have learned.
“Even so, leaders have recognised that the school’s phonics programme does not meet the needs of all pupils. They are in the process of choosing a new one.”
However, leaders were said to have recently taken ‘some effective action to improve the reading curriculum across the school’.
Children’s ‘behaviour and attitude’ was still rated as ‘good’, as was the ‘personal development’ pupils make at the school.
Inspectors also noted that leaders were ‘restarting enrichment activities’ following the temporary pause due to Covid restrictions.
“These activities include sessions to help pupils to make healthy lifestyle choices,” the report adds.
“Leaders also provide activities that help pupils to build up their resilience and confidence in learning.
“Pupils enjoy working together. They reflect on different points of view. They understand the need to listen to each other and take turns.”
Headteacher Yvonne Dobson and Janette Johnson, chair of governors, said they were ‘pleased that the inspectors found much to praise in our community’.
They particularly welcomed the recognition of children’s behaviour, attitudes and personal development, noting their pupils ‘absolutely shone throughout the inspection’.
“The inspectors frequently commented on how impressed they were with our children’s love of learning, compassion and confidence,” said Mrs Dobson.
She added: “We appreciate that this outcome is not one that our community expects. We know our children are brilliant, our staff work tirelessly and the support that we continually receive from our community is heartening.
“We will, of course, listen and act on all that Ofsted has said, but we would like to reassure you that we were already working to address the areas raised.”
