Another Colne Valley school has been placed in Special Measures by Ofsted.

Marsden Junior School has been judged Inadequate by Government inspectors, and their verdict means that outside help will now be brought in to turn things around.

This week Colne Valley High School has just moved out of Special Measures after nearly 18 months.

Ofsted criticised pupils’ lack of progress, teaching and leadership at the 158-pupil Manchester Road primary school. They also said that conditions had worsened since the previous inspection over two years ago.

Headteacher Colin Bird described the report as “a major disappointment” and said: “We have already taken immediate steps to turn around the school’s performance.”

Ofsted said: “Pupils do not make enough progress from their starting points, especially in English and mathematics.

“Boys’ attainment is lower than that of girls. Pupils supported through the pupil premium funding attain less well than others. The most-able pupils do not reach high enough standards.

“The quality of teaching is too variable. Some is inadequate and too much requires improvement.

“A very small number of pupils persistently exhibit very poor behaviour. Dealing with this takes too much of teachers’ and leaders’ time. It also has an unsettling effect on some other pupils.

“The quality of teaching and pupils’ achievement has declined since the last inspection. This is because the headteacher is not providing the direction needed to bring about improvements and targets for teachers’ and leaders’ performance are vague and lack challenge.”

Inspectors added that the large majority of pupils behave well, attendance is above average and some teaching is good.

In a statement, Mr Bird said: “The progress of pupils will be monitored more closely and improvements have already been made to the way work is marked, giving children clearer guidance.

Ofsted did see examples of good teaching, but we are taking urgent steps to address the poorest performance and ensure teaching becomes more consistent across the school for the benefit of all children.

“In addition, while most pupils’ behaviour is very good, we still need to do more to improve the behaviour of a small number of pupils and minimise its impact on the rest of the school.

“A number of other measures are in place, or will shortly be in place, all clearly focused on raising standards as quickly as possible for local children and families.

“Ofsted did highlight some positive features of the school and they believe that the current leadership are able to make the urgent improvements needed.

“We will continue to work in partnership with the local community and the council to improve our school and to ensure all current and future pupils are helped to fulfil their potential.”

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