Primary school placed in special measures

Ofsted inspectors also spotted teaching assistants completing work for less able youngsters at St Benedict Biscop CE Primary School in Wombourne.

The 258-pupil school was given an overall bottom-rung grade of inadequate following an inspection at the end of September.

A report released today concluded there had been a decline in standards at the school since its previous inspection which was rated as 'good' in June 2011. Inspectors said that bright pupils were given work that was too simple, and that school leaders had no plan for how to improve teaching and raise pupils' achievement.

High ranking teachers were said to have an 'over-generous' view of teaching and did not have the skills needed to help staff improve their practice.

"Pupils in Years 1 to 6 make inadequate progress because teaching is weak," the report said.

Class activities were not matched to pupil abilities, while writing was 'not taught well' and some work was presented as scribble, it added.

Lead inspector Usha Devi wrote: "Teaching assistants do not always know how to provide effective support for pupils.

"During the inspection adults sometimes completed the work for disadvantaged pupils, disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs instead of helping them to do it themselves. Work set by teachers is often dull and does not encourage pupils to want to find out more."

Leadership and management were rated 'inadequate'. Leaders and governance were said to have an inaccurate picture of pupils' achievements. "School leaders do not know how to improve teaching and raise pupils' achievement," the report added.

Behaviour was given the third tier rating of 'requires improvement', with some pupils said to be 'disengaged'.

The report said: "They fidget, chat quietly, peer out of windows and work at a leisurely pace when their work does not interest them." The school's early years' provision was said to be 'good', while most pupils were said to behave well.

Recently appointed headteacher Helen George was said to have 'an accurate view' of the school's priorities for improvement.

She said: "In the short amount of time I have been the headteacher I have found the children to be confident, well-rounded individuals who show compassion and consideration for others.

"The school has already changed noticeably since the inspection and many of the concerns that were raised have been addressed."