'TENACIOUS' school leaders have been praised for “significant improvement” but were told more needs to be done.

Education watchdog Ofsted has rated Southminster Primary School in Burnham Road as requires improvement.

At a previous inspection in 2016 it was found to be inadequate.

During a visit in July, inspectors Tracy Fielding and Jo Farrow found “decisive and effective action” had been taken to “stem the significant decline identified in the previous inspection.”

They praised the school leadership, including executive headtacher Pauline Ward, and found pupils’ behaviour was good.

But the report found pupils were not making consistent progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of key stage two.

Leadership and management and behaviour and welfare were rated good.

Quality of teaching, outcomes for pupils and early years provision were still found to require improvement.

The report said: “Leaders, governors and the trust tenaciously put the best interests of children and pupils at Southminster at the heart of what they do.

“Leaders refuse to resort to ‘quick fixes’ and have taken meaningful action to improve the school, despite significant challenges along the way.

“Leaders have quickly and firmly removed the inadequacies that were identified by inspectors in October 2016.”

It added: “Leaders have not shied away from making tough decisions to ensure that pupils get a better learning experience.

“Through regular checking, leaders have effectively raised standards in teaching and learning, and eradicated almost all weaker teaching and learning.”

But the inspectors found teaching of writing was inconsistent and the quality of teaching was too variable.

The report said: “Some teachers are not confident in teaching the full range of the wider curriculum subjects, most notably science.”

Parents had criticised the lack of communication and high turnover of staff at the school.

The school was told to improve the quality of teaching, develop early years provision and improve relationships with staff and parents.

Headteacher's reaction

Southminster Primary School's headteacher says she is confident an underscrutiny primary school will continue to improve.

Pauline Ward, who is executive headteacher at Southminster Primary School, say there “remains much to do” to improve the school further.

She said: “I am pleased that the Ofsted report recognises the many improvements that have been made and would like to thank the children, staff and parents whose contributions have enabled Southminster to make the progress it has.

“There remains much to do, but I am confident that together we will achieve success.”

The school is part of the Vine Trust which is managed by the Diocese of Chelmsford.

John Crane, chief executive of the trust, said: “We are encouraged by the news that Southminster has improved and would like to thank the executive headteacher, local governors and the whole school community for the progress that is being made.

“The Vine Trust looks forward to continuing to work in partnership on Southminster’s remaining development needs.”