A PRIMARY school that was previously rated as "outstanding" by Ofsted has now been told to improve. 

The latest report for Parkfield Primary School says that weak governance has contributed significantly to the school’s decline. 

The inspection took place on October 31 and November 1 and the report was published today (November 21). This is the first time the school has been inspected after receiving an 'outstanding' in 2011. 

The school was given a 'requires improvement' rating.

The school has been under new leadership since Gareth Jones took over as headteacher in September. , after having an interim headteacher. 

 Stewart Gale, inspector, said: "Since the last inspection, weak governance has contributed significantly to the school’s decline.

"Recent appointments to the governing body are now having a positive impact. However, governors recognise that despite ‘steadying the ship’, it is too soon for these to have enough impact on teaching, learning and pupils’ outcomes.

"Middle leadership is weak. Key roles and responsibilities are not clearly understood, which reduces the impact of leaders.

"Leaders do not check the impact of the school’s pupil premium strategy well enough. As a result, disadvantaged pupils fall behind their peers academically and have poor attendance. 

"Internal assessment information is unreliable. This provides a false sense of security and prevents teachers from identifying pupils who need rapid intervention.

"The quality of teaching is not good and too variable. As a result, pupils do not make enough progress by the time they leave the school.

"Teachers do not always check, respond and adapt quickly to pupils’ learning needs. This slows pupils’ progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

"The teaching of spelling and phonics is poor. Pupils lack the knowledge and strategies to spell well.

"Teachers do not always identify gaps in pupils’ number skills accurately. This leads to teachers planning work which is not always well matched to pupils’ needs.  

"Teaching does not focus sharply enough on critical aspects of improvement for pupils who find writing difficult, especially boys. This slows the progress they are capable of making."

The report did outline a number of strengths. 

Inspector Gale added: "The new headteacher is ambitious and effective. He has already started to bring about the necessary improvements.

"Recently appointed governors are taking effective action to improve the school, including safeguarding.

"Pupils enjoy a rich and diverse curriculum.

"The early years foundation stage is good. Children get a good start and are well prepared for key stage 1.

"A new policy and strategies for improving behaviour are having a positive impact so that pupils’ general conduct is good."

Mr Jones, headteacher, said: “This report and judgement is disappointing for the school community, but it clearly acknowledges that since September much work has already begun, to deal with underperformance and drive school improvement. 

“We are just starting on this journey and it is important that every part of the school community works together to take the school where we all want it to be.

"There is a sense of excitement and anticipation amongst staff and the school is clearly greatly valued in the local community. I look forward to this exciting challenge and leading Parkfield through its next phase of development."

Click here to read the full report.