Ofsted tells Wigan school it must improve

A Wigan primary school has been told it must improve amid concerns about the progress being made by pupils.
Ofsted reportOfsted report
Ofsted report

Ofsted inspectors have given Abram Bryn Gates Primary School the overall rating of “requires improvement”, a drop from the “good” rating given after their previous inspection.

However, they did judge it to be “good” for early years provision and personal development, behaviour and welfare.

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The Ofsted report said: “The quality of the school’s effectiveness has slipped since the previous inspection. The quality of leadership, teaching and learning and the standards pupils achieve are inconsistent.

“The new headteacher and leadership team are starting to bring about improvement but it is too soon to evaluate the impact of their actions.

“The quality of teaching is variable. Some pupils are not learning well. The progress of disadvantaged pupils remains weaker than that of other pupils nationally.”

The inspectors found the quality of teaching needed to improve and that teachers did not always challenge pupils’ learning so they made progress.

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There were not consistent opportunities for pupils to deepen their knowledge, skills and understanding across the curriculum, according to the report.

Pupils’ attainment in key stage one was “low” and pupils in key stage two did not make as much progress in reading and maths as they did in writing.

The report said: “Pupils across the school do not make consistently strong progress.

“This is particularly so in reading and mathematics in key stage two. The proportion of pupils in key stage two working at greater depth in mathematics, reading and writing is rising. In 2017, compared with 2016, more key stage two pupils achieved and exceeded the expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics.

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“However, not enough pupils are making as much progress as they should, including the most able.”

Attendance was “improving” but remained below the national figure.

However, Ofsted did find the proportion of key stage one pupils achieving the expected standard in phonics was above the national figure and children in the early years “learn successfully and make good progress”.

Pupils were described as “polite, confident and caring” and “enthusiastic learners” and their personal development, behaviour and welfare was “a high priority in the school”.

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Leaders were said to be “creating a strong, shared vision among staff for improving the school” as they tackled “the legacy of underachievement”. The inspectors said: “Parents are very supportive of the school. They speak to the headteacher and staff with great respect.”

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