School needs 'urgent improvement' across subjects
PA MediaA primary school where "too few pupils" reach the expected standard across subjects has been told to take action to address its issues.
Ofsted inspectors visited Vickerstown School in Barrow, Cumbria, and found pupils' achievement needed "urgent improvement".
The watchdog also flagged four other areas, including leadership and inclusion, that "need attention", but attendance, behaviour and personal development reached the "expected standard".
Executive headteacher Caroline Vernon said a "clear plan" had been put together to "strengthen the quality of education".
New Ofsted reports no longer give schools an overall score, instead they grade different areas of interest.
Inspectors found many students at Vickerstown, which is part of the South Cumbria Multi-academy Trust, struggled with phonics and numbers.
The inspection report said disadvantaged children also achieved "significantly below their peers".
"Across year groups, pupils do not secure the important basic knowledge that they need.
"For example, many pupils struggle to write fluently and accurately."
'Decline in quality'
However, inspectors found pupils "enjoy coming to school" and arrive there "happy and eager to learn".
"Generally, pupils behave well and feel safe," the report said.
"Bullying is rare. Any incidents are dealt with effectively."
At the time of the inspection, 174 pupils attended the school - below the 210 capacity.
Inspectors said the school had been through a "period of turbulence" which had had a "significant impact on staff".
The report said: "Over time, those responsible for governance and trustees have overseen a decline in the quality of education provided by the school."
Vernon, the current executive headteacher, said she had worked with Mick Cull, who was leading the school at the time of the inspection in March, on a plan to improve achievement.
She said: "While we know there is more work to do, we are already seeing encouraging signs of progress, particularly in phonics."