MOULSHAM Junior School has been told it “requires improvement” – a rank down from the rating it held following its last Ofsted inspection.

The school received “good” for leadership and personal development, however, teaching quality and pupil outcomes required improvement.

Inspectors said pupils’ progress has not been good enough, especially in maths, and had concerns about teaching quality.

The report said: “Pupils do not always know what they need to do to improve work. At times, they do not have sufficient opportunity to redraft their writing to show improvement.

“Teachers do not consistently use what they know about the prior achievement of pupils to plan learning that systematically challenges and stretches all pupils to excel.

“Pupils’ progress over time has not been good enough, especially in mathematics.

"The quality of teaching and how much progress pupils make is variable across the school.”

The school, which has about 600 children aged 7-11, was praised for its leadership, pupils’ good behaviour, an above average attendance, and strong progress of the Year 3 class.

Children’s moral, cultural and spiritual development was also applauded.

The inspector added: “Staff provide a welcoming environment where children settle well and form close attachments to their key person, other staff and one another.

"Staff work with parents, before children start, to provide an environment that meets children’s needs and helps them to feel safe.”

The school has been told to more closely monitor children’s progress, and to work harder in encouraging problem solving.

Head teacher Marie Staley, who has been in the job for 18 months, said: “For the next step I want every single member of my staff to have great expectations of every child.

"We’ve got an extremely strong team and we will get there.

"The school is on an upward trajectory, and my belief is it entered a slump after the previous inspection.”