School with teaching faults told to improve
A primary school where the 'quality of teaching is not consistently good' has been told to improve by the education watchdog.
Thorns Primary School, located in Thorns Road, Brierley Hill, was rated as 'requiring improvement' by Ofsted during its latest inspection which took place on March 9.
It 'required improvement' across four-out-of-five categories, but was also rated good in another.
The overall inspection found faults with the standards of teaching and the development of pupil's education, but the behaviour and politeness of pupils was praised.
In its previous inspection by Ofsted held on March 19, 2013, Thorns had been rated as 'good'.
The categories which the school were told to improve in were 'effectiveness of leadership and management', 'quality of teaching, learning and assessment', 'outcomes for pupils' and 'early years provision '.
In a summary of 'key findings' for pupils and parents in the report, an inspector said: "The quality of teaching is not consistently good. Pupils make uneven progress across subjects, year groups and pupil groups.
"Not enough pupils make the progress of which they are capable, especially in key stage two, and outcomes are too low.
"Teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve are developing but are not yet consistently high enough. Activities do not always match the ability of the pupils, especially the most able.
"Some pupils do not know well enough how to improve their work. Some teachers miss opportunities to clarify pupils’ next steps in learning.
"Some pupils’ basic skills are weak. In literacy, this is impacting on pupils’ ability to write fluently. In mathematics, it is affecting their ability to apply skills in order to solve problems."
However the inspection report also listed the school's strengths. Thorns was rated 'good' for 'personal development, behaviour and welfare'.
An inspector said: "Pupils behave well in lessons and around school. They are polite and respectful to adults and each other.
"Spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is strong. Pupils feel safe in school. They are eager to learn and attend regularly.
" Parents are positive about the school and the approachability of staff and leaders.
"The proportion of pupils reaching a good level of development at the end of the reception year has increased in each of the last three years and is now in line with the national average."
The school declined to comment.
