St Matthew's Primary School in Redhill rated inadequate

AN EXPANDING primary school has been rated "inadequate" – the lowest possible ranking – by education watchdog Ofsted.

St Matthew's Primary School in Linkfield Lane, Redhill, was given a notice to improve following a two-day visit in March.

St Matthew's School in Redhill was rated inadequate by Ofsted inspectors
St Matthew's Primary School head teacher Janet Lightfoot
St Matthew's Primary in Redhill still has plans to expand its school roll in September

Its report, published last week, highlights reading and writing and says children are not making the progress they should.

The school has 474 pupils on its roll. It is one of seven primaries in the borough that will take an extra class in September to cope with a shortfall in places, and work is underway to extend the building.

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Ofsted said: "Although improving, the school is still addressing longstanding underachievement and for this reason its effectiveness is not satisfactory. Over time, pupils' attainment by the end of Year 6 has been low and their achievement inadequate."

Quality of teaching and leadership are rated as "satisfactory" and pupil behaviour and safety as "good", but pupils' achievement is rated "inadequate" and the school is deemed "inadequate" overall.

"Most parents and carers feel their children are making good progress but inspectors found that there are still areas of significant underachievement in literacy to address." .

Inspectors said the quality of teaching was "not strong enough" and highlighted the lack of progress by lower-attaining white British pupils as a particular concern. They said the school also needed to improve attendance.

However, they praised the diverse school as a "very harmonious community", and noted its capacity to improve.

Head teacher Janet Lightfoot said: "We are of course disappointed and concerned to have received an overall 'notice to improve', but we would stress that we had already identified the areas that Ofsted said needed action, and included them in our school improvement plan.

"There is much to be proud of too, as the inspectors recognised and praised the school's many strengths. It was also noted that the head teacher provides a strong strategic direction, well supported by the senior team and staff.

"Ofsted recognised that the school is improving and has the capacity to continue to make progress, and we are confident we have all the necessary measures in place to make this happen."