Poor attendance and under-performance by disadvantaged pupils at a primary school have been highlighted by Ofsted.

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Batley, “requires improvement”, according to inspectors.

Other criticisms of the 355-pupil school included: “Too few pupils make good progress in years 1 to 3 in particular. Teachers do not always take enough account of what pupils know and can already do when planning lessons. Sometimes pupils are set work that is too easy.”

Inspectors said that leaders and governors needed to have more impact.

They praised the school for its Early Years Foundation Stage and said: “Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strength.

“Pupils’ behaviour around the school, with adults and with each other is good.

“The headteacher is working hard to improve the school.”