Barrowford 'proud' letter school rated inadequate by Ofsted

Inspectors highlighted problems with teaching and attainment levels at Barrowford Primary School

A school at which pupils were told test results did not assess what made them "special and unique" has been rated as inadequate by inspectors.

The quality of teaching and early years' provision at Barrowford Primary School in Lancashire were both assessed as inadequate in an Ofsted report.

Staff expectation of pupils' attainment was "not high enough", the report said.

The school said it had implemented a "robust" action plan to "rapidly drive up standards".

Inspectors visited the school on Rushton Street on 7 and 8 July without any notice.

'Serious weaknesses'

While the previous Ofsted report in 2012 rated the school as "good", the latest assessment said the headteacher's leadership had emphasised developing pupils' emotional and social wellbeing more than the attainment of high standards.

In July 2014 a letter sent by the school to pupils went viral online. It told them to "enjoy your results" but to remember that "there are many ways of being smart".

Inspectors said there were "serious weaknesses" at the school.

They highlighted problems with teaching pupils how to read, labelling it "ineffective", and also said the school's governance required improvement.

A letter accompanying Key Stage 2 results in July last year told pupils the school was "proud" of them and there were "many ways of being smart"

Lead inspector Gill Jones said: "Children in reception are not prepared for the curriculum in Year 1. The proportion of children reaching a good level of development is too low.

"Pupils' achievement over time is not good enough, particularly in year groups where teaching is weak."

The report highlighted some strengths at the school:

• Standards are improving

• The school is inclusive

• Pupils are polite and friendly to visitors

• Pupils say they are confident to tell staff how they feel

Chair of governors Doug Metcalfe said: 'Whilst we were very disappointed with the outcome of the recent Ofsted inspection, as a school, we immediately focused our efforts on the issues raised by the inspection team and firmly believe great progress has been made following the decision several weeks ago."