New head promises school can do better (From This Is Wiltshire)

A NEW headteacher at a primary school that has been told it needs to improve says action is already being taken.

Ofsted inspectors, who released their report on Even Swindon Primary School yesterday, said teaching had not been challenging enough over time and attainment was below average in reading, writing and mathematics.

Headteacher Alison Lowe, who joined the school in January, said: “As the new headteacher, I am confident that, with support from staff, children and parents, we can make the improvements required in order to be good and better.

“The inspectors worked alongside myself and senior staff to evaluate the school.

“The improvements can be made. An action plan is already in place, which was put in the report, and there are initiatives we are already doing.”

Inspectors visited 21 lessons or part-lessons at the school, taught by 17 teachers.

They said the school had already begun to improve under its new leadership.

The inspectors’ report said: “The new headteacher and deputy headteacher have made a good start and are well supported by staff and parents.

“Strong teaching in Years Five and Six enables pupils to make faster progress and close the gaps with all pupils nationally.

“Pupils behave well and have positive attitudes towards learning. All pupils are made to feel welcome.

“They enjoy learning and say they feel safe. As a result, their attendance is above average and improving.”

Ofsted gave the school an overall “requires improvement” rating and advised that, to become a good school, teaching needed to be made more challenging.

“Teaching has not been challenging enough over time and there remain some inconsistencies in the Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and lower Key Stage 2,” said the report.

“Pupils’ achievement requires improvement because pupils’ progress is variable.

“As a result, their attainment is below average in reading, writing and mathematics by the time they leave the school.”

Inspectors said pupils did not have enough opportunities to use their reading skills widely, or to practise their skills in writing and mathematics in other subjects.

They also said the quality of feedback and marking did not always help pupils with their next steps in learning.

Inspectors said: “Recent initiatives put in place by the headteacher have not yet had time to ensure consistent improvements across the school; for example, in the way that information about how well pupils are doing is used.

“Leaders and governors have not been effective in securing rapid improvement in the quality of teaching and pupils’ achievement since the previous inspection.”