Howard Junior School in King's Lynn keen for Ofsted return

The Ofsted visit was the first full inspection since Howard Junior School in Gaywood was converted to an academy in 2014

A school criticised by Ofsted for "serious failings" in safeguarding said it was keen for inspectors to return so it could show its improvements.

An inspection in March found those who were meant to check that children were safe "do not always do so" at Howard Junior School, in King's Lynn, Norfolk.

It was then run by Apollo Academies Trust and given a rating of inadequate.

Eastern Multi Academy Trust, which has overseen the school since April, said safeguarding was now "very strong".

It took over temporarily at the request of the Department for Education, and has since added Howard Junior to its roll call of 11 schools in west Norfolk, Thetford and Wisbech.

Curriculum replaced

Interim executive head teacher Linda Hothersall said staff had worked hard to make improvements across the school.

The curriculum - which had been criticised for not being robust enough - had been replaced, with a new phonics intervention system introduced to test each child, she added.

Paul Shanks, the trust's chief executive, said he would welcome a reinspection.

"I think the community, the children and the staff, they have put in so much work, they deserve it," he added.

"We want this to be the best possible place for children to attend school, and as soon as we're there, we want that endorsement externally."