A PRIMARY school in Holme Wood has been told it is taking “effective action” towards getting out of special measures, following a recent Ofsted visit.

The monitoring inspection by Ofsted at Ryecroft Primary Academy, in Kesteven Close, was the fourth visit by the school inspection body in the past two years, after being rated inadequate in November 2016.

Following the visit, the academy was told it was making good progress by inspectors.

The letter said: “Leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures.

“Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that the academy may appoint newly qualified teachers.”

Ofsted said senior leaders have pursued improvement “with vigour”, and have “melded into a unified, energetic force”.

It said: “The lead inspector noted, at the previous inspection, that the seeds of improvement had taken root.

“Green shoots are now beginning to mature. This is evident, not least, in the further enhancing of the school’s positive culture.

“Leaders have further tightened the safer recruitment process. They have ensured that all the required checks on newly appointed staff have been made.

“The statutory record of these checks is complete and accurate. New staff are well trained.

The great improvement in behaviour observed at the last inspection has been sustained. The vast majority of pupils conduct themselves well.

“Desired positive behaviours are becoming normalised for many pupils, who are now behaving well regardless of whether they will be rewarded.”

The finding in the report were “very pleasing”, said principal Helen Pearson.

She said: “I am very pleased with the report.

“The inspectors were clearly aware of the challenges we face and recognised the improvements we are making throughout the school, noting that the improvement in behaviour observed at the last inspection had been sustained.

“We have also appointed two new teachers and a business manager since the last inspection. This has made a big difference to stability and capacity.

“The support we continue to receive from our sponsor, Northern Education Trust, especially from our new deputy CEO, who has vast experience of the primary setting and visits regularly, combined with the hard work of staff, pupils and governors, will enable us to continue to make significant improvements.”

While Ofsted did acknowledge teaching has improved, particularly in numeracy and literacy, it said this is not reflected across all subjects, and needs to be designed better to engage pupils.

Exclusions were also identified to be above average at the school, and while children make rapid progress from their starting points, the attainment level of the majority of pupils is below average, with poor English language development a particular problem for many children.