BIRCHWOOD CE Primary School has become the latest to fail its Ofsted inspection.

A damning report calling it 'inadequate' has been delivered today, Thursday, following an inspection in January.

It describes a school where achievement has fallen 'significantly below the national average' in both key stage one, infants, and key stage two, juniors.

It says most pupils - especially girls, disabled students and children with special needs - do not make enough progress.

While teaching needs improvement and behaviour is inconsistent, with inspectors reporting children losing concentration during lessons.

It does say standards are beginning to improve, especially in reading, attendance is up and leaders and governors know what needs to improve. And inadequate teaching has been 'eradicated'.

The school is the second in town to fail this month following a disastrous report at St Gregory's High School.

Acting head teacher Dawn Rapson, said: “As the inspectors noted, we have a well-developed understanding of what the school needs to do to improve and we strongly believe we are already on a clear path of improvement and will continue to work together, with the support of the local authority, to raise outcomes for all our children.

“We are also delighted that the Ofsted report highlighted key strengths at the school and we are very proud of these.

"Such positive comments also provide us with the encouragement and determination we need to continue to make changes in key areas such as quality of teaching and leadership that will have a positive impact on our pupils’ achievements.”

Warrington Borough Council’s operational director for children and young people’s universal services, Sarah Callaghan, said:

“We have been assisting the school in a number of ways including carrying out a review of governance and senior advisors.

"A national leader of education and a specialist leader of education have been provided as additional support. We will continue to monitor progress and are confident that they can build a bright future at the school.”

A meeting for parents takes place in school between 5pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday.