Ofsted puts Market Drayton school in special measures

Longlands Primary School in Market Drayton will now be subjected to regular monitoring – including a return visit by inspectors in the next few months – by the school's watchdog to ensure standards are improving.

The school was judged to be "inadequate" after an inspection in February and comes almost 18 months after it was judged to be "good".

School bosses today said an action plan is already in place to ensure improvements are made.

Despite inspectors recognising pupils feel safe at the school and teaching in the reception class is consistently good, they noted the behaviour of pupils requires improvement.

In a report after the visit, inspectors said: "Over time, pupils' achievement has been inadequate because ineffective teaching has not been dealt with and too few lessons are taught well.

"Attainment in reading, writing and mathematics is far too low. Additional funding to help potentially disadvantaged pupils has not been used effectively. The gap in attainment between these pupils and their classmates has widened. Expectations of the presentation of pupils' work are not high enough and, at times, work is scruffy and disorganised."

The report added: "Children make a good start to their education in the reception class because teaching is good. Pupils feel safe, show respect for each other and are polite and courteous. A good range of clubs and sports activities enhance pupils' physical well-being."

Staff and governors at the school are now working with Shropshire Council to address the outcomes of the inspection. Kim Stokes and Marie Manton, headteachers at the school, said: "We are already working on the issues raised by the inspector. An action plan is in place to take the school forward, focused on the key priorities. Staff and governors are committed to securing further improvements."

Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for children's services, added:

"We are all committed to making the necessary improvements."