AN EASTCOTT school has made an encouraging start in its response to Ofsted’s poor appraisal back in March after inspectors made a return visit last month.

King William Street Primary School was rated as ‘requires improvement’ following an inspection by the education watchdog across March 10 and 11.

Its leadership, management, teaching quality, and pupil achievement was criticised, as inspectors left headteacher Margaret Clarke and her team clear expectations for improvement.

In a follow-up visit carried out on June 16, Her Majesty’s inspector Catherine Leahy said: “You have made an appropriate start in addressing the areas for improvement identified at the last inspection.

“Staff and governors share your vision to be good at the next inspection. You are working together effectively as a team to achieve this outcome.

“You have raised teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve to quicken the pace of improvement.

“Staff are positive about the changes being made and this supports improvement. The school development plan focuses on the key areas for improvement.

“You have set clear and appropriate timescales for improvement. However, you have not set targets for the progress of pupil groups.

“This makes it difficult for leaders and governors to check the impact of your actions.

“Also it is not clear precisely who will evaluate the impact of each action and how and when this will be done.”

In pulling out two points for special attention, Ms Leahy said specific progress targets needed to be set for pupil groups and specific responsibilities needed to be assigned to governors for evaluating improvements made.

Mrs Clarke said: “We were pleased with the recent report which stated ‘senior leaders and governors are taking effective action’ and shared the vision the school would be good at the next inspection.

“The inspector identified the headteacher is sharply focused on improving the quality of teaching of mathematics, and has already introduced strategies to deepen pupils' mathematical understanding, which is helping children to use and apply the skills they know more effectively.

“Work in books showed that the teachers are stretching and challenging children’s thinking and the gap is closing.

“Improvements have also been made to writing which includes providing writing opportunities every day and planning styles which motivate and inspire boys in particular.

“Catherine Leahy found work in the books also showed this improvement in both the quality and quantity of writing.

“The children agreed they liked being challenged more and agreed they were learning more. Staff are also very positive about the changes made.

“Governors have also made changes. They visit the school regularly to ensure they are better informed and already are on their way to understanding their roles and responsibility.”

To view the letter in full, visit reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/138479.