School rated inadequate

Python Hill primary school on Kirklington Road Rainworth was rated inadequate following a visit by the education watchdog in February representing a dramatic fall in standards from the previous Good rating.

The report criticised the quality of teaching, learning and assessment at the school, and said that teaching, learning and assessment were also inadequate.

Inspectors also said personal development behaviour and welfare requires improvement; outcomes for pupils was inadequate and early years provision requires improvement.

However the report adds teaching and the progress made by all pupils are consistently good in Year 5 and Year 6.

The education watchdog said leaders, including the governing body, have a ‘clear and accurate view of where improvements are needed’.

The report adds that pupils are making better progress this year than last and leaders this year have demonstrated a sound capacity to improve the school in the future.

More positive aspects of the school were highlighted, the report added: “Year 5 and Year 6 pupils are mature, polite and hard working.

“They are considerate to each other and to visitors.

“The school keeps pupils safe in the school and looks after them well.”

However criticisms were made in the report which said standards were below average.

Teachers sometimes do not expect enough of pupils, especially of the most able.

There are weaknesses in the curriculum for reading, writing and mathematics.

These weaknesses have led to too many pupils making insufficient progress and showing too little interest in these subjects.

To improve the shcool was told to eliminate weak teaching in Years 1 to 4 and ensure that the quality of teaching and the use of assessment are consistently good

Additional recommendations were to improve teaching by the use of assessment and progress in the early years by ensuring that staff tailor their work to the needs of individual children, especially the most able, in the light of the assessments they have made.