A STRUGGLING school has been told improvements are "too slow" and itneeds to work on issues across the board.

Education watchdog Ofsted has rated Southminster Primary School in Burnham Road as inadequate.

At a previous inspection in 2018 it was rated as requiring improvement.

During a visit earlier this year, inspectors found issues with safeguarding, the curriculum and support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

They praised the pupils' polite attitudes, and the extra-curriculum activities.

But the report found behavioural managament was not consistent and that reading was not given a high priority.

It said: “A significant proportion of pupils are not receiving a broad and balanced curriculum.

“Pupils in a few classes have not been taught the full range of subjects for some time, such as music and art.

“Pupils with SEND are not given support to achieve well.

“Learning for pupils with SEND is not reviewed routinely to check that teachers are providing the support so that pupils can successfully access the curriculum.

"Consequently, they do not achieve as well as they should.

“The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

“Concerns recorded about pupils who are not in school are not followed up quickly enough.

“In addition, pupils’ persistent absence is high and continuing to rise.”

The inspector did recognise the school is beginning to change, but criticised the speed of improvement.

The report said: “Leaders have overcome significant challenges over the last year.

“While they are starting to address the areas of improvement identified at the previous inspection, changes in staff have contributed towards school improvement being too slow.

“The quality of education that pupils receive from Reception to Year 6 has taken far too long to improve.”

The report finished with ways the school can improve.

It said: "Leaders need to ensure that all persistent absences are followed up and immediate action taken to provide the support to help pupils to attend.

"Leaders need to design a curriculum that builds on important knowledge and skills throughout the school from Reception to Year 6."

It also added that trained adults are needed to provide precise support to SEND pupils to ensure they are making positive steps towards their academic, social and emotional goals.

Deputy director of education at Vine Schools Trust, which is currently based at Southminster Primary, Becky Farchild said: “Since receiving our latest Ofsted inspection results, we have implemented a ‘rapid improvement plan’ at Southminster C of E Primary School.

"This comprehensive plan will target all areas of the report where the school received unsatisfactory results.

“The school will be receiving on-site support from the trust, which will ensure progress is being monitored and measured.

"This includes curriculum development, advice, staff training and development, and quality assurance.

"In addition, there will be on-site support from experts in extensive maintenance work. 

“We are committed to doing everything we can, alongside the staff team, to enhance our provision and ensure that Southminster C of E Primary is considered a good school.

"We believe that this renewed focus will result in marked improvements.”

CEO of Vine Schools Trust Emma Wigmore added: "It has been disappointing to read the judgements of the latest Ofsted inspection for Southminster C of E Primary School. Ofsted identified several areas where significant and rapid improvements are required.

“At the Vine Schools Trust, we are committed to supporting Southminster C of E Primary School as they strive towards school improvement.

"The headteacher and staff at this school have worked hard to embed meaningful changes in the past year, whilst contending with the impact of two years of disrupted school experience.

“We were pleased to see this reflected in the report, as it references how leaders have overcome 'significant challenges in the over the last year' and how “parents are noticing the improvements leaders are making".

“Moving forward, we will be doing everything we can to ensure that the pupils at Southminster C of E Primary School are receiving a high-quality provision and feel happy and valued whilst at school."