Ainthorpe Primary School in special measures over 'inadequate' education

A Hull school has been told it is letting down pupils by failing to provide them with an adequate education.

Ainthorpe Primary School has fallen into special measures after inspectors said standards at the Willerby Road site were not good enough.

The inspection report, which has just been published, lists a series of problems.

It identified achievement, teaching and leadership as all being inadequate.

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But senior leaders at the school say since inspectors visited, measures have been put in place to turn its fortunes around.

Staff at the school are saddened by the report, but say standards will improve as quickly as possible.

Head teacher Anita Gladwin said: "The staff are upset and extremely disappointed at the outcome, but are determined and committed to moving the school forward.

"We want to provide the best standard of education we can for the children and we will ensure we get the necessary support to ensure this happens as quickly as possible."

The report said: "Although teaching in most lessons observed by inspectors was satisfactory, work in pupils' books and the schools assessments of pupils' attainment indicate that teaching over time is inadequate.

"Consequently, too many children underachieve."

The report noted teachers' expectations of pupils' learning are not high enough and that the school has deteriorated rapidly since its last inspection.

It said: "The curriculum is inadequate because the basic skills of writing and numeracy are not developed well enough."

It criticised the governing body for failing to monitor the schools' work rigorously enough.

Mrs Gladwin said the west Hull school had made a start on turning things around and considerable improvements had been made already.

This, she said, consisted of strengthening the leadership team with the two new members leading on maths and reading – areas identified as poor in the school.

Staff have taken part in significant training since the inspection and an enhanced, rigorous monitoring programme is in place, she said.

The schools curriculum provision has also been audited and interventions have been tailored to meet the needs of all the children.

Chair of governors Stephen Whaley said: "I know the key areas identified for improvements are already being addressed and I have every confidence we are making huge strides in ensuring the school is a great place for our children."

An aspect of the report that was earmarked for improvement was achievement at Key Stages 2 and 3.

The report noted children in reception were making progress, but those in Key Stages one and two were not progressing quickly enough.

Since the inspection, the Key Stage One results are improving and the Key Stage 2 results in July have exceeded the Government's expected target for the combined English and maths score – with 64 per cent of children achieving the level 4 standard.

The school has also been working closely with the council to implement an action plan to make the improvements that have been identified by the Ofsted inspectors.

Staff say they are determined to make the improvements as quickly as possibly and will build on the positives highlighted by the inspectors, including children's behaviour, pupils with special educational needs who are receiving the support they need, pupils' good attendance and their kindness and respect for adults.