MEADOWHEAD Junior School has been criticised by Ofsted and ordered to improve.

Ofsted reviewed the school, which is based in Anglesey Street, Blackburn, last month.

In a new report, it was downgraded from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’.

It was also criticised for the effectiveness of the leadership and management, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment as well as the outcomes for pupils.

However, it was praised for the personal development, behaviour and welfare of the youngsters.

The school, which has 261 students on its roll, was last inspected in 2013.

Lead inspector Sally Kenyon said: “The quality of teaching is variable.

“As a result, pupils do not make good progress from their starting points.

“Teachers’ lack of subject knowledge hampers their ability to stretch the most able pupils.”

However Ofsted said behaviour is ‘good’ and standards in maths are ‘rapidly improving’.