A HEAD teacher has said that “plans are in hand” to improve her school after it was criticised by Ofsted.

Accrington Woodnook Primary School, in Hudson Street, has been rated as ‘requires improvement’ after an inspection last month.

The school received the same grading when it was last reviewed in 2014.

It was criticised for its leadership, teaching and pupil outcomes, but praised for the personal development of the pupils and the early years provision.

Head teacher Nicola Trayner said: “Although we are a little disappointed with our latest Ofsted report, it did contain a great deal of praise, however, we accept the judgement and issues raised by the inspectors, and there are plans in hand to improve the school.

“We will work closely with the county council on those areas where we can do better.

“The suggestions that Ofsted made are helpful and clear, and we will do all we can to meet the challenge.

“Parents are being kept fully informed and I would like to thank them for their enthusiastic support for the school throughout.

“I’d like to reassure them that we are fully committed to providing the best possible education for our pupils.”

She added that she was pleased that the inspectors noted “many strengths”, including the behaviour of pupils, the happiness of pupils in school and their keenness to learn.

The report also noted that staff were dedicated in the support they provide to help the pupils to develop.

Inspector Andrew Morley said: “Achievement requires improvement because pupils’ progress is inconsistent, resulting in standards by the end of Key Stage Two in 2015 being below average in reading, writing and mathematics.

“Teachers’ expectations are not always high enough, and so pupils do not make consistently good progress across the school.

“Progress is not rapid enough in Years One to Four.

“Teachers do not always use assessment information to help them set work at the right level of difficulty.

“This is particularly so for the most-able pupils, who are capable of learning more deeply and more quickly.”