A PRIMARY school has been told it 'requires improvement' after a visit by Ofsted inspectors.

Sudell Primary School in Sudell Road, Darwen, has been given the results of their inspection in February.

On its previous inspection, in June 2013, the school was also graded as 'requires improvement.'

Inspectors said the proportion of pupils achieving the expected standard in reading and maths at the end of key stage two was 'well below the national average.'

A report also said the behaviour of pupils is not consistently good, particularly when teaching is not well matched to their needs.

However, inspectors praised the recent improvements at the school and said that the recently appointed principal, the executive principal and senior leaders are making substantial improvements.

They also said that pupils are making faster progress as a result of improved teaching.

The school's 'Early Years Provision' was graded 'good' during the inspection.

Mrs Lenny Lewis, who joined the school in September and was appointed permanent principal in December, said: "The inspection was very thorough and fair, and the report accurately lays out what we need to do to replicate that Good Early Years judgement across all of the school.

"We are determined to do that and are committed to taking on board the Inspectors recommendations and acting on them swiftly. "