School sees Ofsted rating drop from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’

A primary school in Leicester which was previously rated ‘good’ by Ofted has had its rating downgraded to ‘requires improvement’ following a visit by inspectors. Slater Primary School, in Slater Street, Frog Island, retained its ‘good’ rating in four of the categories reviewed by officials, but needs to do better in two categories – quality of education and leadership and management. The school’s overall rating is based on the lowest category ratings.

Chief inspector Liz Moore praised many aspects of the school in her report, but said absenteeism was too high, some pupils did not achieve what they were capable of and “some subject leaders are not yet taking full responsibility for their implementation and impact . curriculum”.

In response, headteacher Richard McKenzie told LeicestershireLive the school was “happy, safe and inclusive” and had “very supportive parents”. He added that “staff have been working hard to make improvements.”

READ MORE: ‘Ravenous’ kitten left outside Leicester church

Mrs Moore said in her report: “The levels of absenteeism and persistent absenteeism remain too high for a minority of pupils. Some students miss too much learning and do not do as well as they should. The school should fully implement and integrate its policies and procedures. to improve attendance.”

“Leadership is at an early stage of development in some subjects. Some subject leaders do not yet take full responsibility for the implementation and impact of their curriculum. The school should ensure that subject leaders gain the necessary knowledge and understanding to measure implementation and impact. therefore ensuring that all students achieve well.

“The school has not devised effective approaches to assessing students’ knowledge in some subjects. Staff are unclear about what students know and don’t know.

“Some students have learning gaps that make any future learning difficult for them. The school should ensure that effective assessment systems are in place to check what students know and remember and that they are used consistently well.”

The report added that staff were “proud” to work at the school and pupils reported that there was little bad behaviour. The report added: “Pupils are well behaved most of the time. Students say there is little bad behavior. School values ​​help students know the difference between right and wrong.

“They know how to raise a concern and are confident that staff will help them. The school places a high priority on student safety.”

The report said students felt valued and safe, but received a variable quality of education. It said: “Students represent a diverse range of communities, backgrounds and families. Many students join or leave school at different points in their school career. They are welcomed and helped to feel valued, happy and safe in this inclusive school. They are kind and respectful to each other.

“However, pupils are not yet confident in all the values ​​that are important to prepare them for life in modern Britain.

“Students face a variable quality of education. The school does not carry out sufficiently thorough checks on student learning. Some students do not remember the school curriculum well enough”.

Headteacher Mr McKenzie said: “Slater Primary is a happy, safe and inclusive school and we are pleased that inspectors have recognized this. We are also thankful to have very supportive parents who value education.

“We are proud to be rated ‘good’ in behavior and attitudes, personal development and early years provision. This was the school’s first inspection since the education inspection framework changed in 2019, with a greater focus on the curriculum. Staff have worked hard to make improvements with the wider curriculum and will continue to do so with the support of governors.”