An Oldham primary school has been blasted by Ofsted for not dealing with bullying effectively during a recent inspection.
Lyndhurst Primary and Nursery School scored the worst possible ratings in leadership and management, the behaviour and safety of pupils, the quality of teaching and the achievement of pupils.
Standards have severely dropped at the school, which was rated as ‘good’ during its previous inspection.
The report read: “Pupils do not feel safe because of misbehaviour and the incidence of bullying.
“Leaders fail to deal with bullying effectively and, as a result, it persists.
“Pupils do not understand how to deal with bullying and the school’s work to keep pupils safe is inadequate.”
The education regulator recommended for an external review of the school to be undertaken, in order to assess how the aspect of leadership and management and governance may be improved.
They put extra emphasis on rapidly improving pupils’ behaviour and safety, particularly in Years 5 and 6, by ensuring that leaders take effective action to tackle incidents of bullying, poor behaviour and disrespect to all staff and pupils.
They believed that staff had to make an extra effort to manage pupils’ behaviour effectively, show consistent support, and challenge all pupils to develop good attitudes to learning and respect for others.
The quality of teaching was also blasted by Ofsted, with teachers accused of having ‘low expectations’ of pupils.
The report further read: “Teaching is inadequate because it is not securing the progress pupils are capable of over time.
“This is the case for all groups of pupils, including boys, the disadvantaged, pupils with special educational needs and the most able.
“Expectations of what pupils can achieve are low. Work is not matched well enough to pupils’ varying abilities.
“In Key Stages one and two, too many pupils underachieve in reading, writing and in mathematics and the work set does not capitalise on the good progress children make by the end of Reception.
Although the report was predominantly negative, there were some positive aspects highlighted by the inspection.
These included children making good progress in the early years and well-preparing themselves for learning in year one.
Between years one and four, pupils were generally well behaved and respectful to each other and adults.
Attendance has also improved and is above average. Aspects of the school’s work, such as assemblies, were said to make a good contribution to pupils’ spiritual and cultural development.
MM attempted to get in contact with Lyndhurst Primary School for comment, but was unsuccessful.
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