A head teacher said she is ‘disappointed’ that her primary school has been downgraded from ‘good’ as Ofsted found the quality of education and leadership needed improvement.

Briercliffe Primary School was inspected on June 6 and 7 by Ofsted inspectors who stripped the school of its overall ‘good’ rating from 2020.

The school is described in the report as a welcoming learning place where “all pupils are made to feel part of the community regardless of their differences” and was rated good in three out of five of the key areas of inspection.

However, inspectors highlighted issues with the delivery of learning activities which results in some pupils struggling and not achieving as well as they should.

The report states: “In a few subjects, some pupils have gaps in their knowledge as a result of the weaknesses in the previous curriculum.

“Leaders have not put systems in place that help teachers to check what these pupils remember from previous learning.

“Some pupils, including those with SEND, experience lesson activities that do not build on what they already know, or address the gaps in knowledge that they have.

“This means that over time, in some subjects, pupils’ learning is insecure.”

Responding to the recent inspection, Lancashire County Council provided a statement on the Briercliffe Primary School Ofsted report.

Joanne Ramsbottom, head teacher of the Delamere Road school said: "Naturally, we are disappointed with the overall rating of the latest Ofsted inspection, though we are pleased that our school was rated good in three out of the five categories that were assessed by the inspectors.

"We were especially pleased that inspectors recognised that our school is a welcoming community where children feel happy and safe, and where we have high aspirations and high expectations for all our children.

"Inspectors have identified a number of areas around our curriculum that need to be developed further. Under my new leadership, these areas had already been identified prior to the inspection and have been discussed with the governing body. Steps have already begun to ensure the improvements are embedded as quickly as possible.

"While we know there is work to do, there are lots of positives to take from the report.

"Inspectors concluded that leaders are aspirational for all pupils and have effective systems in place to identify the additional needs of pupils with SEND.

"The good behaviour of our children came in for a lot of praise, with inspectors saying pupils are 'polite and well mannered' and are 'kind and considerate' towards one another.

"Children told inspectors they felt safe at our school and inspectors found that leaders have effective systems in place to identify any bullying.

"Leaders also noted that our pupils know how to keep themselves safe when using the internet and understand the importance of not sharing personal information when working and playing online.

"Despite the many positives we know that there are areas where we need to improve, and we are now working with Ofsted and Lancashire County Council to ensure the necessary changes are made.

"Parents have been kept fully informed of the inspectors' findings, and we would like reiterate our commitment to providing the best education that we can for our pupils."