A WORCESTER school that was placed in special measures has started to improve.
Ofsted inspectors recently visited Warndon Primary School for the second time since it was deemed to be failing its pupils in 2011.
Then the school was told to raise attainment, improve attendance and improve the effectiveness of leaders.
A previous monitoring inspection found progress was inadequate but the latest report said there had been a rapid improvement since Di Smith, a local leader in education, was seconded as acting headteacher.
Mrs Smith is also head at Abbeywood First School in Redditch. Previously, Sarah Allen, the school’s deputy headteacher, was acting headteacher as head Simon Tranter was off ill but this situation was branded unsustainable by inspectors as Miss Allen was also still doing her job as deputy.
Mr Tranter has now resigned and a plan has been put forward for Warndon and Abbeywood to form a federation with one headteacher. The inspection said the Edgeworth Road school had made good progress in improving the effectiveness of leaders at all levels with a clear strategic direction now in place.
The governing body now had a more accurate view of the school’s weaknesses.
Middle leaders had been given clear job roles although these leaders were of inconsistent quality and often had an insular view of pupil achievements.
The inspection also found year six pupils were working at levels in English and mathematics below those expected for their age.
Their attainment in English and mathematics at the end of Key Stage 1 was below average.
However, improvements meant they had made more progress than previous pupils. Teaching in this stage was at least satisfactory and sometimes good.
Children made satisfactory progress overall in KS2 although this was due to accelerated progress in the later years. This meant they should achieve broadly average attainment in mathematics by the end of year six but below in English.
The quality of teaching at KS2 was said to be variable ranging from inadequate in lower years to good in later years. However, in all lessons, including those that were inadequate, classroom management was good and teachers established positive relationships with pupils.
Pupils were praised for their behaviour and for working enthusiastically.
Good progress had been made at improving attendance with a quarter of pupils enjoying 100 per cent attendance so far. The local authority was said to have provided effective support.
Acting headteacher Di Smith said: “Her majesty’s inspectors recognised the good progress now happening at Warndon Primary School and this is reflected in their judgements.
“Everyone connected with the school is confident that this rapid progress can be sustained. Inspectors recognised that the continued improvement in attendance reflects the strong support of the parents and the whole community.”
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