TEACHERS at Swindon school are not doing enough for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities say inspectors.

Holy Cross Catholic Primary School has been rated as requiring improvement for a second time in a row and Ofsted says that while some changes have been made since the last inspection in 2017 they have not been implemented well enough

In the latest report the regulator said: “Not all teachers are sufficiently ambitious for pupils with SEND. Leaders have not ensured that teachers are helping pupils achieve their targets as detailed in pupils’ individual plans. Consequently, some pupils are not able to join in with the learning in class.”

Although the school’s leaders identified pupils with special educational needs, learning was not planned well enough to meet the needs of children who struggled. “They put a range of support in place. But some teachers do not plan learning that focuses on these pupils’ individual needs. This means that some pupils with SEND struggle to learn what they should.”

“Leaders must ensure that there is clear guidance for what teachers teach, when they teach it and how they teach it in each subject.”

The inspection was carried out last month and the requires improvement rating was given for the quality of education, behaviour, personal development and leadership. There was some good news for early years provision, which was rated good and the inspectors acknowledged governors had undergone training and sought external advice. Teaching of mathematics and science was praised because the content and sequence of learning had been thought about.

Efforts to improve attendance were recognised although the inspectors said too many children had time off during term time, hampering their learning.

Executive Principle Paul Hughes said: “The governors and staff of the Holy Cross accept the findings of the recent Ofsted report. It acknowledged the areas of the school which are successful including the early years provision and the fact that pupils feel safe and well cared for.

“We have already begun to address the key areas which require improvement, these are mainly around curriculum planning and implementation. Ofsted recognised that there have been improvements since the last inspection and we have a commitment and clear focus on moving the school forward.”