INSPECTORS say a Downend primary school does not give pupils the quality of education they should have.
Ofsted visited St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School in Boscombe Crescent in December.
The three inspectors said the school’s Early Years provision, for children in Reception, meets its expected standard.
But they said pupil achievement, attendance and behaviour, and personal development all need attention. Their report said the school’s curriculum and teaching, leadership and governance, and inclusion work also need attention.
The inspectors said: “Pupils at St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School do not benefit from the quality of education they should. Many do not achieve as well as they could.
“This is because teaching does not consistently help them to know and remember important knowledge and skills.
“Staff expectations of behaviour are not consistently high. Consequently, not all pupils remain focused on learning.
“Leaders have only recently started to improve attendance and punctuality. Currently, not enough pupils attend regularly.
“The school’s programme for personal development and well-being does not prepare pupils well enough for life in modern Britain.”
The inspectors pointed to “significant turbulence in leadership and governance”, which they said has now stabilised.
The school was without head teacher Mark Hilliam for several months last year through illness, including during Ofsted’s visit. He has now returned but is moving to a new school in April, having relocated to Gloucestershire.
The report said: “Leaders have an accurate view of the school. They have begun to strengthen weaker areas.
“However, this work is very recent and has not yet improved pupils’ learning.”
Figures published in the report showed the proportion of pupils reaching expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics combined over the past three years was 49%, below the national average of 61%.
The inspectors highlighted a number of strengths of the school, which has 184 pupils aged between four and 11 on its roll.
They said: “Pupils are happy and feel valued.
“Pupils are safe and know that staff will help them if they have any worries.
“Staff and pupils are proud to belong to a close-knit school.
“Bullying is rare and pupils are confident that any instances are dealt with promptly and effectively. “The school’s distinctive values underpin its caring, compassionate atmosphere.”
The inspectors praised the school’s work with children joining its Reception year, including positive relationships with parents, work with children who have special educational needs or disabilities, and “keen focus on developing children’s language, early reading and positive behaviours for learning”.
In a statement, the school’s governing body said: “We are disappointed by the wording of the report, but accept the findings of the Inspectors.
“Although disappointing, the areas needing attention had been identified by governors and the Senior Leadership Team and actions already put in place to address them, along with the support of the local authority.
“We were especially encouraged that the inspectors were clear they could see the beginning of the positive impact of these actions, and that they had faith in the leadership of the school (governors, leaders and staff) to quickly move these areas forward to reach expected standards.
“We are also pleased that inspectors acknowledged the many positive areas at the school.
“The inspectors were also confident leadership and governance has stabilised, and leaders have an accurate view of our school, focus on the right priorities, that governors fulfil their statutory duties and decisions are made in the best interest of all pupils.”
School governors, leaders and staff held a meeting for parents to ask questions or “voice any concerns”.
The governors said: “This was a positive meeting, and all present were fully dedicated to ensuring the continued improvement of the school for the benefit for all of our pupils and staff.”