A SCHOOL previously rated 'good' has been downgraded after inspectors found that pupils are not being 'adequately prepared for life in modern Britain'.

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic School in Church was rated 'requires improvement' with inspectors identifying four key areas to be worked on including effectiveness of leadership and quality of teaching.

Lead inspector Margot D'Arcy found that while pupils at the school are taught to value and respect religious and cultural diversity, they are not being given the adequate range of teaching when it comes to issues such as gender identity and different types of families and relationships.

She said this would mean pupils were not being 'adequately prepared' for life in modern Britain.

The school, which has 232 pupils on the roll, is also struggling to promote children's personal development and the welfare of students requires improvement.

Ms D'Arcy said: "Over time, the quality of teaching has not been good enough to ensure that pupils make consistently strong progress and attain the standards expected for their age in reading, writing and mathematics.

"While the teaching of reading, writing and mathematics has improved in the last two years, is not consistently good across the school.

"Some teachers do not make effective use of assessments in lessons to get the best out of pupils and while all pupils work towards the same mathematical and literacy objectives, teachers do not routinely adapt tasks to pupils’ needs and prior attainment."

But while certain areas do need to be improved on, the inspector did find that Kathyrn Thomas, the school's headteacher, had made good progress since she joined the school in 2016.

Ms D'Arcy said: "The headteacher has not shied away from making difficult staffing decisions for the long-term benefit of pupils. In this, she continues to be supported by the local authority and her senior leadership team.

"Under the headteacher’s leadership, there have been clear improvements to pupils’ progress and attainment by the end of Year 6 and to pupils’ behaviour. Efforts to improve teaching have ensured that there is strong practice in some parts of the school. Work to secure consistently good teaching across the school remains a challenge. The unsettled staffing situation in some year groups adds to this."

Ms Thomas said: "Although we are disappointed with our latest Ofsted report, we accept the issues raised by the inspector's findings and, with the support of the local authority, are developing a wide-ranging improvement plan to address the matters that have been identified so that improvements happen both effectively and quickly.

"As the inspectors recognised, the school has experienced a difficult period of late. This situation has now improved, including my appointment as headteacher.

"We were pleased that the inspectors found many things to praise about our school, including that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported, and that they progress well from their individual starting points. The inspectors also recognised that children in early years receive a great start to their education and make good progress. Pupils also achieve well in science.

"Children say that they like being in school, and feel safe.

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