Leeds primary told it must improve

Ofsted has rated Gildersome Primary School as “Requires Improvement” overall in a fresh report.

Inspectors found that teaching and outcomes for pupils at the school have declined since it was previously judged to be “Good” in 2013.

The report raised concerns about its top-level leadership. It also noted that “pupils’ attainment at the end of key stage 2 in 2017 was below the national average in reading, writing and mathematics”, and that “the quality of teaching in the school, including in the early years, is not consistently good”.

However, Ofsted praised staff for their approach with pupils who are well-behaved.

Caroline Hoyle, headteacher at Gildersome Primary School, said: “We accept the latest Ofsted report in which inspectors have judged the school to be, in some areas, as ‘Requires Improvement’, in part, due to last year’s results not following the normal trend.

“It is, however, important to note that the inspectors noted a number of strengths in our school, acknowledging that staff know the children well individually, and that Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare and safeguarding is a real strength of the school. We are really proud that this area was graded ‘Good’, and that 93 per cent of parents stated that they would recommend the school to another parent.

“We are obviously disappointed by the overall outcome but are determined to rise to the challenge and use the Ofsted recommendations to bring about improvements in the areas which inspectors identified as needing to be better. We are confident that we can meet this challenge.”