Walsall's Palfrey Junior School primary school told it must do better despite efforts

Ofsted ruled Palfrey Junior School 'Requires improvement' in every key area following an inspection in December.

However, the Dale Street school which caters for around 360 pupils, had hauled itself up from an 'Inadequate' rating – the lowest on the scale – handed out following the last full inspection two years earlier.

See the report here

Her Majesty's Inspector Usha Devi attended the school in May for the first monitoring visit on the back of the comprehensive December inspection.

In her findings, published last week, - June 21 - she said 'decisive action' was being taken to move the school towards being Good.

The headteacher at Palfrey Junior has been absent since October due to ill health and in the interim headteachers from Alumwell Junior/Butts Federation have been brought in to support.

It is expected the school will formally join the Federation next month.

A report from the HMI Inspector addressed to interim executive headteacher Max Vlahakis states: "You, the headteacher of Butts Primary School, and the interim deputy headteachers have taken decisive action in response to the areas for improvement identified in the most recent inspection. During my brief visits to classes, pupils of all ages were keen to talk to me about the changes that have taken place in the school.

"Senior leaders, for example, have worked with staff to make important changes to the curriculum. Teachers now make sure that the activities they plan capture pupils' interests and encourage pupils to be inquisitive."

Interim executive headteacher Max Vlahakis said: "We are really pleased the inspector said they expect us to be a Good school by the next full Ofsted inspection which will be in the next 12 to 18 months.

"We came in, in October, and the school was moved out of special measures by December. From there, it has gone from strength to strength. There has been a marked improvement including improved teaching quality to better leadership. It is just a different place – we have had both parents and external advisers say how much it has transformed when they walk in."

The inspector also noted an improved level of teaching and mathematical activities were better planned. and actions taken to improve achievement among youngsters with special education needs was 'positive'.

They also highlighted three key areas which the school needs to do to improve further including identifying specific actions from teachers to help pupils make progress, increase opportunities to deepen pupil's mathematical understanding and ensure the school's overall success plan had a criteria to measures its success.