CATHERINE Wayte Primary School has been praised by Ofsted, and head teacher Emma Brown is adamant the school has not stood still, despite a drop in overall effectiveness since its last inspection.

The Abbey Meads school, in Elstree Way, was visited by inspectors on March 17 and 18 as part of its first assessment in four-and-a-half years.

In 2010, the school was given top marks and considered outstanding, but after changes at the education watchdog, Catherine Wayte has gone down to a good rating.

Mrs Brown, who has been in the top job since January and deputy for eight years before that, said the school had not stood still between the inspections and higher standards from Ofsted were behind the lower effectiveness rating.

Leadership, management, behaviour and safety of pupils all remain outstanding, with quality of teaching, pupil achievement and early years provision rated good.

“Since our last inspection, in September 2010, the staff and governors have worked hard to further improve an already excellent school,” she said.

“Unsurprisingly, the Department for Education and Ofsted have sought to improve practice and raise standards in all schools.

“So legislation has been introduced to support this goal, and requirements and expectations of school’s have increased year on year.

“The Ofsted framework has been changed many times since our previous inspection in 2010 and each change has resulted in a raising of the bar.”

In its observations on why Catherine Wayte did not rate as outstanding, Ofsted said teachers do not always check on how well pupils are doing during lessons.

And in early years classes, activities children choose for themselves do not always have a clear focus on improving their learning.