AN Orford school has been told to improve, following a visit from Ofsted representatives.

After a two-day visit from inspectors, St Ann’s Church of England Primary School was rated as ‘requires improvement’.

Despite this rating, the school, on Lathom Avenue, receiving a good rating in four out of six categories.

It was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in its previous two inspections.

According to Ofsted, if a school receives a ‘requires improvement’ grade, this means that any of the key areas looked about by inspectors needs improvement ‘regarding the overall effectiveness of the school’.

It is the third lowest rating (out of four) but it often concerns things that can be ‘quickly resolved’.

The report raised concerns over the lack of training and support that some subject leaders have had – claiming this means they are not able to carry out their roles as ‘effectively’ as they could.

It read: “Equally, some leaders do not always check how well teachers deliver the curriculum for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

“Some pupils with SEND do not achieve as highly as they should.”

Inspectors also highlighted how parts of the curriculum plan can ‘hinder’ some pupils’ achievements.

They said: “Several curriculum plans do not set out precisely the knowledge and skills that pupils must learn.

“Added to this, these plans do not always make clear the order in which new knowledge should be taught.

“This means that some teachers do not successfully build on what pupils already know and can do.”

However, Ofsted representatives did praise the school’s value of respect, hope and perseverance which are ‘golden threads running through the life’ of the primary school.

They were impressed by strong start in reading the school provides: “Teachers introduce the phonics programme at the start of Reception Year.

“Teaching staff have had the training and support needed to help them deliver the programme consistently well.

“Teaching staff across the school promote a love of reading.

“They signpost pupils to appropriate books that they may enjoy.

“Teaching staff also set up cosy reading corners and well-attended book clubs.”

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