BOSSES at a Ribble Valley school have launched an external review of governance after its Ofsted rating plummeted from “outstanding” to “requires improvement”.

Whalley CE Primary School labelled parts of its latest inspection report “inaccurate” and said it was “disappointed” at its conclusions.

The school’s acting head teacher, Richard Blackburn, said an action plan had been drawn up to improve teaching standards, pupil progress and leadership.

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The Church Lane school was rated outstanding after its last inspection in February 2007, but inspectors last month noted inconsistent teaching quality and a decline in pupils’ progress.

Lead inspector Deana Aldred said: “Leadership and management requires improvement because leaders and governors have not ensured that the school’s previously high levels of performance have been maintained. Achievement fell sharply in the 2013 national Key Stage Two tests.”

She added: “The school relies on the leadership of the head teacher and the assistant head teacher, particularly in raising standards in English and mathematics. Middle leaders and subject leaders have not taken full responsibility for raising achievement within these subjects. This has slowed the pace of improvement.”

The report did recognise many of the school’s strengths, including the “exemplary” behaviour of its 226 pupils and Mr Blackburn’s “clear direction” in tackling problems.

In a letter to parents, Mr Blackburn and chairman of governors David Borland OBE said it was their mission to return the school to its outstanding status.

It said: “While we accept most of the findings, we are extremely disappointed with the judgement that our early years’ provision ‘requires improvement’.

“In response to our questionnaire, which was sent out recently to parents of reception class children, the parents were unanimous in their support for the school and the provision, which it provides for the new entrants.

“Exciting plans are already in place for reorganising the early years’ foundation stage department next year and these will improve the provision even more.”

They added: “We also feel that comments made about the governors are inaccurate. Minutes from meetings show clearly that the school has extremely proactive and challenging governors who have a clear idea about the areas of the school which need to be stronger.

“An external review of governance has already been commissioned and a robust plan for school leadership is in preparation.”

The school said a survey of parents found that 98 per cent of them were happy that their children attended it.