A PRIMARY school in Herefordshire rated inadequate by inspectors due to leaders being overwhelmed with responsibilities and workload is said to be improving.

Ofsted inspectors left Bredenbury Primary School near Bromyard a damning report after visiting in October 2019, saying key stage two pupils lacked confidence and concentration in lessons.

They also said curriculum planning was thin, and there was not enough guidance for staff to follow.

But in a monitoring visit, which sees an Ofsted inspector visit a school in special measures periodically, the school was said to be improving.

Inspector Nicola Harwood said after her remote visit, due to the coronavirus pandemic, that "leaders and those responsible for governance were taking effective action to provide education in the current circumstances".

OTHER NEWS:

While curriculum plans still need to be developed and refined further, as well as the quality of teaching, she said leaders had "stabilsied" the school.

Since the damning report in October 2019, headteacher at the nearby Queen Elizabeth High School had become Bredenbury's executive headteacher.

Hereford Times: Queen Elizabeth School, Bromyard Queen Elizabeth School, Bromyard

Executive headteacher Martin Farmer said: “The hard work of the staff and Head of School Mrs Sam McAtear, pupils and governors is leading to Bredenbury once again being a school of choice for the area it serves.

"We are especially pleased that Ofsted have recognised significant improvements, especially over what has been a turbulent 12 months."

"Since the last inspection, leaders have stabilised the school and made a positive start to improving the quality of education," the interim report said.

OTHER NEWS:

"Parents and staff say that the school is improving quickly. Pupils want to come to school and enjoy their learning.

"You have developed a ‘can do’ attitude across the school community. You have not allowed the COVID-19 pandemic to hinder your work on developing the curriculum or from providing an education in the current circumstances.

"The new head of school has worked quickly to establish a long-term curriculum plan. Together, you identified that pupils had gaps in learning mainly because of historical weak teaching and previous low expectations at the school.

"Using this information, you rightly prioritised work in reading, mathematics, science and physical education.

"These subjects are now carefully planned and sequenced. You adapt and refine the plans as they are implemented, and as you identify further gaps in pupils’ knowledge."

There was also praise for teachers continually checking what pupils know and can do, how well they know their pupils, and how to provide effective support.

The inspector added leaders were passionate about developing a love of reading, and provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) was a key priority.

Governors were also praised for how they acted quickly in response to the issues identified at the last inspection.

Chair of governors Kitty Edwards said: “Governors of Bredenbury are delighted to see the rapid progress being made under the new school leadership and are confident the school will once again be judged good at the next graded inspection."