TWO schools in Bolton have been found to “require improvement” after visits by Government inspectors.
Cherry Tree Primary School and Bolton Parish Church CE Primary School failed to impress Ofsted inspectors, who found that all but one area of both schools could be better.
Areas examined by the inspectors included achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership management.
At Cherry Tree Primary School, only the behaviour and safety of pupils, which were described as good, did not come under fire from the inspectors.
Cherry Tree, which forms part of The Orchards in Highfield, Farnworth, opened in 2009, bringing together special and mainstream schools on one site, with Cherry Tree and Green Fold each occupying half of the building.
The federation has the same governing body and an executive headteacher. Although the children are taught separately and the schools kept their identities, the pupils interact daily and share resources.
At the time, schools minister Jim Knight described the concept behind The Orchards as both “innovative and exciting”.
But Ofsted, on a recent visit, found that pupils’ progress in Cherry Tree Primary School was “not yet good” in all subjects, and attendance was below average.
However, inspectors also found that the proportion of teaching that is good or outstanding has improved.
They reported: “Pupils enjoy school, behave well and feel very safe. They have great confidence in the adults to help them with their work or with any problems they have.”
Inspectors added: “Leaders and managers, including the governing body, have successfully improved pupils’ progress over the last year. They have accurately identified most of the remaining shortcomings and are working to tackle them.”
At Bolton Parish Church CE Primary School in The Haulgh, weaknesses lay in the teaching.
Inspectors reported: “While there are signs of recent improvement, teaching, particularly in Key Stage Two, over time has not been consistently good enough to ensure all pupils do as well as they can.”
Positives included above average attendance and initiatives beginning to “accelerate progress for many pupils”.
John Wallington, chairman of governors at the Parish Church school said: “The school was pleased that the developments they have been working on were recognised by Ofsted. The improvement points are being actioned and school aims that these should be judged as good by the end of the year.”
Cherry Tree headteacher Jane Grecic said: “Ofsted acknowledged that progress has been made since the last inspection and that the school is moving in the right direction.
“The staff and governors are confident that our improving school will secure a judgement of ‘good’ in the near future.”
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