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Walsall's Croft Academy primary school still needs to improve

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Improvements are still required at a Walsall primary school two years after an education watchdog demanded performance get better.

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Croft Academy, which caters for 245 pupils, has this week been given a level-three rating of 'Requires Improvement' after Ofsted carried out an inspection over two days in June.

It is the same rating handed to the school in 2014 and the watchdog has pointed to frequent changes in staffing as to why improvement has been hindered.

Pupils' standards were still deemed not good enough while youngsters were found to have 'gaps' in their understanding.

  • Click here to see the full report

In the latest report, Her Majesty's Inspector Martyn Pye, and Ofsted inspector Susan Plant said: "Standards at the end of Key Stage 2 in reading, writing and mathematics, while rising, remain too low.

"This is because, over time, pupils' progress has been hampered by variations in the quality of teaching, especially across Key Stage 2.

"Since the previous inspection there have many changes of staff and this has restricted the pace of school improvement.

"Over time, teaching has not built carefully on pupils' existing knowledge and skills.

"This means that pupils have reached upper Key Stage 2 with gaps in their understanding in some subjects. These gaps prevent them from reaching the standards that they should.

"Currently, pupils do not have enough opportunities to apply key literacy and numeracy skills in meaningful ways."

The report also said the numerous changes in leadership at the school had created 'uncertainty' within the school community.

However the watchdog did credit the current school bosses for being 'capable' and 'ambitious' whilst creating stability at Croft Academy.

"They understand the school's position, but are still developing systems to gather detailed information about the school's work," the report added.

Four out of five key areas were ruled to 'Require Improvement' including categories around leadership, teaching, results and pupil welfare, while provision for early years was rated 'Good'.

Ofsted did identify several strengths as well.

The inspectors said: "Provision in the early years is good. Children do well when they first start school.

"The support provided for pupils who have special educational needs or disability is commendable.

"Arrangements for keeping pupils safe at school work well.

"Pupils behave well and staff are attentive to pupils' and parents' welfare. Pastoral support is strong and responds quickly to needs.

"Phonics (letters and sounds) teaching in the early years and Key Stage 1 is effective."

Finally they complimented school bosses for having 'appropriate plans' to raise standards and teaching, noting chiefs had already made 'tough decisions' to make improvements.

Travis Latham, regional director for the Elliot Foundation West Midlands, which runs the school, said: 'I am pleased that Ofsted has recognised the continued improvement at Croft academy particularly,

"Since the previous inspection, the multi-academy trust has put the new leaders in place.

"Together an executive principal and principal lead a capable and ambitious team and there have been numerous improvements.

"Four years ago none of the eight Elliot Foundation Academies in the West Midlands were outstanding; today 50 per cent of them are.

"Whilst there is still much work to be done at Croft, we have every confidence in the teachers and leadership team at the school."

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