Ofsted inspectors praise efforts of improving Upton Heath Primary School but standards are still inadequate

Mar 2 2010 by Ben Coulbeck, Chester Chronicle

INSPECTORS praised the efforts of staff and pupils at the reforming a Chester primary school but warned standards are still inadequate.

A monitoring report, published last month by Ofsted, described Upton Heath Primary School pupils as self-motivated but concluded that positive attitudes covered up under achievement.

Last year, the Upton Lane school was made subject to special measures, designed to improve the school, after Ofsted inspectors published a damning report after their visit in September.

Since then, the board of governors has disbanded and been replaced by an appointed Interim Executive Board. Paula Moreton continues in the role of acting headteacher in the absence of full time head Claire Lyons who is on long term sick leave.

The monitoring report, written by inspector Sonja Oyen, criticised staff for not following new procedures and lacking subject knowledge.

It reads: “Pupils are underachieving because of weaknesses and inconsistencies in the teaching. The school now realises it faces the dual task of dealing with the legacy of poor habits and gaps in learning while also raising the bar substantially to get the best out of pupils.”

Improving the curriculum and pupils’ assessment were graded as inadequate but the report did praise the acting headteacher for her “sterling work to date in leading improvement despite several barriers to progress, including negativity and lack of co-operation from staff and parents”.

The report also praised the improved management and administration of the school.

To read the full monitoring report, visit www.ofsted.gov.uk. The school will be subject to further monitoring visits before a full inspection within the next two years.