Inadequate school placed in special measures

A WARRINGTON primary school told by Ofsted inspectors last year that it required improvement has now deteriorated still further and has been judged to be “inadequate.”
The education watchdog says it is now a school that requires special measures. The headteacher and senior leaders have not addressed the key issues from the previous inspection – in January last year – and as a result the school’s effectiveness has declined.
Actions taken to improve teaching and learning have been too slow and, as a result, pupils’ progress across Years 1 to 6 at St Augustine’s RC Primary, Henshall Avenue, Latchford, is inadequate, particularly in mathematics and in writing.
The school has been found to be inadequate for the achievement of pupils, quality of teaching and leadership and management.
It also requires improvement for the behaviour and safety of pupils, according to Ofsted.
Leaders do not check accurately, nor often enough, whether their actions are making a difference to the achievement of all pupils.
Governors do not hold the school to account for weak teaching and pupils’ poor progress.
Targets set for teachers to improve their performance are not always met, particularly in mathematics and writing for Years 1 to 6.
However, Ofsted says the school has some strengths.
Efforts to improve attendance are effective, with more pupils attending regularly. Arrangements to keep pupils safe are good – they feel safe and secure in school. Most pupils in Years 3 to 6 achieve well in their reading. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage achieve well and are well prepared for Year 1.
The school is a smaller than average primary with 156 pupils
St Augustine’s says it is determined to accelerate progress at the school following the inspection. School leaders and the local authority are working together to bring about improvements.
Governors’ chairman Margaret Morgan said: “We were disappointed in the outcomes of the inspection but the governors and staff are both confident and determined to increase the pace of progress to show impact on all the issues identified.”
Head teacher Andrea Towey said: “Inspectors identified several areas for improvement in the school. They recognised that there are appropriate actions in our improvement plan, but that progress has not been quick enough. We remain determined to accelerate progress and are 100 per cent committed to raising standards. We are having a meeting at the school so any parents can come and chat to us about any concerns they may have.”
Warrington Borough Council’s operational director for children and young people’s universal services, Sarah Callaghan, said: “We have been assisting the school in a number of ways and have offered a range of support including training for governors. We will continue to monitor progress and are confident that they can build a bright future at the school.”