A primary school which has been graded 'good' for more than 15 years until this month has spoken out about the 'disheartening' Ofsted report.

Christ Church C of E Primary School on Delph Road teaches almost 100 youngsters between the ages of four to 11 and has historically been considered a 'good' school since its first Ofsted inspection in 2009.

However, following a routine visit in March this year, inspectors stripped the primary of the 'good' grade and said it now 'requires improvement'.

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The headteacher of Christ Church Primary School said the new grade is "obviously disheartening" but is "confident" it can make the necessary improvements to become a 'good' school once again.

In their report of the premises, inspectors Will Smith and Peter Berry had plenty of praise for the school.

The inspectors found pupils "enjoy" going to school and that the staff "know them well and sort out any problems that they might have".

As a result, the primary has recently improved its pupil absences in the past year.

Amongst strengths in the curriculum, Mr Smith and Mr Berry said the school delivers a "successful" phonic programme as teachers support students who are at risk of falling behind and read books that "consolidate their learning of new sounds".

This helps the children to read with accuracy and expression, and foster a love of reading through events such as 'bedtime stories'. 

The youngsters also enjoy a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities through clubs, such as choir, brass and coding club, and take part in sports and competitions through the Dovestone Learning Partnership.

Their personal development is further enriched through field trips, such as residential trips and visits to the zoo. 

Meanwhile, staff are well supported to meet the demands of working in a small school and they "appreciate this support".

However, inspectors identified weaknesses in the quality of education and the governance of the school, writing that improvement work between the school's governing body and the council is "in its infancy".

While the curriculum is "ambitious", the inspectors said there is "too much variation" in some subjects.

The report added: "The school has not identified the important knowledge that pupils should learn or the order in which this should be taught."

This then hampers the students' "depth and breadth" of their learning and means all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are "not supported to learn and achieve well", the report added.

Despite this, Ofsted said the school does deliver "some" aspects of the curriculum well and highlighted recent changes to the way pupils are taught to write as a key example.

Mr Smith and Mr Berry said pupils' writing was "weaker" than their mathematics and reading but teachers now help them to develop this skill "more effectively than in the past".

However, "even so", Ofsted said there remains "too much variation in how well teachers deliver subject curriculums" in the early years and that they do not check pupils' understanding consistently, meaning some may need more help which teachers have been unable to identify. 

When it came to the behaviour of pupils, Ofsted said staff "do not do enough" to promote positive behaviour which "sometimes" hinders their learning in lessons.

The inspectors also noted pupils have a "limited knowledge and understanding of diversity and knowledge" in areas relating to equality, diversity and fundamental British values as a result of the curriculum. 

When it came to children with SEND, Ofsted found the school had improved the way it assessed pupils and strengthened partnerships with parents and carers, yet it still does not "meet the needs of these pupils".

The report continued: "Some staff are unclear of the best ways to support the learning of pupils with SEND.

"On occasion, staff inadvertently reduce the independence of these pupils by doing things for them that they are able to do themselves."

Ofsted has now given the school five areas to improve on, including the delivery of the curriculum, the children's behaviour and the way in which teachers check pupils' learning and teach fundamental British values.

Reacting to the report, Michala Uttley, Headteacher of Christ Church Primary School, said: "While this is obviously disheartening to all our school community, our own school self-evaluation and development plan had already identified similar priorities and strengths before Ofsted’s visit.

"Whilst there are some significant strengths in the report around safeguarding, phonics, wellbeing and new developments in some areas, leaders and staff, including those new to role, know what these are, and are being externally supported to bring about the necessary improvements that have been jointly identified to be areas for development prior to and during the inspection.

"This work is just beginning and as an outward-facing school, we welcome this support."

The headteacher added: "I have full confidence in our team here at Christ Church – we are a strong and committed team with a clear vision and unwavering commitment to your children.

"We truly believe that they deserve the very best and that we have the capacity, to make lasting and sustained changes for the best possible education and holistic outcomes for your children".

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