Urgent improvement needed at 'ineffective' school
GoogleA school has been told it is "failing to provide an acceptable standard of education" by a watchdog.
Ofsted inspectors recently visited Millom Infant School in Cumbria and found it required special measures, with urgent improvements needed to pupil's achievement, leadership and "ineffective" early year provision.
A report said although there was a "caring and safe school culture" where bullying was rare, pupils had "considerable gaps in their knowledge", with many struggling to write.
A school spokesperson said the inspection outcome was "disappointing" and while acknowledging the points raised, the result did not "fully reflect improvements already under way".
The spokesperson said: "The school leadership team and governors have been working closely with external partners on targeted improvements and have a clear way forward."
The Lapstone Road school was found to require special measures in 2023.
'Turbulence' in leadership
The most recent inspection found the school met safeguarding standards and staff kept "a strong focus" on children's personal development, including on learning how to stay safe online and to be kind to others.
However, a "considerable number of children leave the early years ill prepared for the demands of key stage one".
The Ofsted report said: "Writing is a common weakness across the school. Pupils struggle to form letters correctly, spell accurately or write clear sentences."
Inspectors found reading was improving, with more pupils reading confidently.
The report said leaders and staff "care deeply" about the children, but governors and leaders were "too reliant on external partners to identify weaknesses".
"Turbulence in leadership and limited leadership capacity mean that the school has not eradicated the serious weaknesses identified at the previous inspection," inspectors said.
They added many families spoke "highly" of the school and relationships between staff and children were "warm".
A school spokesperson said: "We are focused on ensuring that every child receives the support they need to succeed."
