CROW LANE Primary and Foundation Stage School in Milnsbridge requires improvement, according to Ofsted inspectors.
In the newly-published report, the 212-pupil school was graded as 3 in the four main areas – pupil achievement, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, and leadership and management.
Previously, 3 was ‘Satisfactory’, but since last autumn it has been redefined as ‘Requiring Improvement’. The school also got a grade 3 in its previous inspection of May 2010.
Headteacher Wendy Wallace, pictured, said that the report was broadly in line with staff expectations, but that they were disappointed not to get a Good for pupil behaviour and safety, particularly as most of the Ofsted comments were positive.
She believes this was down to a single incident with a group of inattentive boys during one lesson. The school has more boys than girls.
Mrs Wallace said: "In general, the report highlighted many strengths, especially in pastoral care, which is very important for us.
"We have a high number of vulnerable children and others who are facing challenges. Given the work we have done on behaviour and safety, we thought it ought to have been judged as good.
"The report confirmed areas which we are already working on, those issues are already part of our action plan."
Mrs Wallace admitted that genuine staff absences due to ill health had caused problems and added: "We are looking for real stability with staffing moving forward.
"It is about raising standards and making sure every child is reaching their potential and has high aspirations. Overall we are on track."
Some 39% of Crow Lane pupils, almost all of whom are of white British heritage, receive free school meals (Pupil Premium).
The school also has a high number of both vulnerable children as well as pupils who join the school midway through the school year.
