Primary school is put into special measures

Education watchdogs have put a Shropshire school into special measures after a damning report criticised its standard of teaching.

An Ofsted report on Morville Church of England Primary near Bridgnorth concluded there was not enough “good or better” teaching to stop under-achievement.

Headteacher Helen Heaton-Cooper and governors are said to have felt the report was “quite harsh” and parents will meet at Morville Church on Wednesday to discuss Ofsted’s findings.

Liz Townsley, chairman of the governors at the school, said: “We believe we have found ourselves in a situation where the new Ofsted inspection arrangements have resulted in our small class numbers influencing the final report. However, we believe this is a great opportunity to focus on those areas indicated by Ofsted where we as governors can further support the school.”

The report, which followed an Ofsted inspection of the school in in May, said there was a need to improve the overall standard of teaching at the school.

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council cabinet member for education and skills, said: “The inspection was conducted under the new inspection arrangements which are harsher and more demanding than previous inspection frameworks.

“While feeling the report is quite harsh, the headteacher and governors are already working with us to ensure the required improvements are made.”

The inspector said there was some excellent teaching in Early Years groups and in some lessons pupils were challenged to work hard and were fully engaged in their learning.

However the report concluded that teaching was not yet consistent enough and progress was not rapid enough as pupils went through Key Stage 1 and 2.