Struggling school put into special measures

Following a two-day inspection of Barrow Hill Primary School, a report by the Ofsted team said that pupils do not make enough progress and that the quality of education is “inadequate”.

They added that there has been “significant disruption” to the school’s management in recent months. Consultant headteacher David Smith took over at the beginning of this term, but he is set to be replaced by a permanent headteacher in the spring.

Mr Smith said yesterday: “We’re obviously disappointed to be given a notice to improve.

“But we are pleased the report highlighted some of our strengths and the new headteacher and I have already started to put things in place to improve standards.

“We’re committed to tackling the weaknesses identified to make sure pupils get the best possible education.

“Staff and governors are all committed to continue making the necessary changes.”

In their report, the inspection team say that attainment, particularly in English and maths, is “low and has been for several years, with little indication of any improvement”.

The report says: “Although the school does track pupils’ progress, it does not do so with sufficient regularity and too little is done with this information to address any underperformance through well-targeted support. Consequently, pupils do not make enough progress.

“The quality of education is inadequate. Teaching fails to have sufficient impact on learning to secure improvements and raise attainments.”

Coun Mike Longden, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “Our advisors are working closely with the school and decisive, swift and positive action will secure the necessary improvements as quickly as possible.”