An OFSTED inspection of a school in Gorton that was last inspected 14 years ago and judged ‘Outstanding’ has been judged inadequate following a new inspection visit this year
Pupils at St Francis RC Primary School in Gorton do not acceptable standard of education.
Inspectors said that from the early years, through to the end of Year 6, the curriculum is poorly designed and weakly implemented.
Pupils, they say,including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), do not gain the knowledge that they need to be successful.
Consequently, pupils across the school are not ready for the next stage of their education.
In the report OFSTED says:
“Little consideration is given to the order in which knowledge will be taught. This means that pupils do not have the knowledge that they need to be successful in their future learning. Pupils do not remember what they have learned. Their achievement across a range of subjects, including English and mathematics, is weak.”
Inspectors found that pupils were happy and that they felt safe at the school
The report says that the new headteacher and deputy headteacher recognise the significant weaknesses at the school. Governors and leaders have taken too much time to bring around improvement. Some of the weaknesses have become engrained. Governors have not ensured that subject leaders within the school have had the training that they need to develop their ability to check how well pupils achieve in their subject
Commenting on the report headteacher Lynn Elder told the Manchester Evening News:
“The Ofsted findings don’t reflect the ambition we have as a school for our pupils and we’re determined to do everything we can as quickly as possible to improve things and address the issues raised. Our school is nevertheless a happy place to be – with children who are all brilliant, hard-working staff, and parents and families whose support is very much appreciated by us.”
