School's curriculum delivery 'needs improvement'

Ghyllside Primary School in Kendal was inspected in July

A primary school has been told to improve the way it delivers its curriculum and how it supports children with special educational needs (SEND).

Ofsted inspectors visited Ghyllside Primary School in Kendal, Cumbria, and graded its quality of education and management as "requiring improvement".

The school was, however, rated "good" for pupil behaviour, personal development and early years provision.

Headteacher Huw Davies said inspectors had recognised the "substantial progress" made since the previous visit in March 2024, however he was frustrated the school had not had enough time between visits to "embed the changes".

The school, which has about 450 pupils aged between three and 11, was inspected in July, with the report published this month.

Mr Davies said: "It is a little frustrating that we did not have enough time between this inspection and our last one - only four school terms - to embed the changes we have put in place, as I feel strongly that some of the outcomes would have been different if this had been the case, but the team have to report on what they see on the day."

'Gaps in knowledge'

The Ofsted report said pupils behaved well in lessons and at social times and were confident they were valued and listened to by staff.

"[Pupils] enjoy school, which is reflected in the school's high rates of attendance," inspectors said.

They added the school was "ambitious for its pupils" and had made "substantial changes" to the curriculum to reflect that.

Mr Davies said he welcomed Ofsted's positive comments, which reflected "staff's dedication to educating our pupils".

The report said while children at the end of key stage two achieved well in English and maths, the same could not be said for other areas of the curriculum.

"This means there is variability in how well pupils learn, and they have gaps in their knowledge," it added.

Inspectors said the school worked with parents and carers to identify the needs of SEND pupils, however there was "variability" in how effective the support was.

"This is because the school does not guide staff in identifying pupils' next steps precisely," the report said.

"It does not ensure there is clarity about how pupils will achieve these goals. Consequently, some pupils with SEND do not achieve as well as they should."

Mr Davies said the areas that needed improvement were already being addressed.

He added: "Moving forward Ghyllside will continue to be a thriving primary school that provides well for our pupils as evidenced by the wide range of opportunities they have here, their excellent national test results and their ability to transfer smoothly to secondary education."