A Tolworth primary school has been rated inadequate in its latest Ofsted inspection, with a report claiming the school has several serious weaknesses.

Inspectors found student progress at Knollmead Primary School had dipped significantly in the past two years, with senior leaders too slow to recognise the reasons for the deterioration.

Pupils were not provided with a consistent challenge and expectations of students’ capabilities was often too low, the report said.

However, inspectors found progress in reception and nursery classes, as well as years 1, 2, 3 and the special needs unit for autistic and hearing-impaired students to be consistently good.

The behaviour and safety of pupils was also good. The report, published this week, outlined concerns over the achievements of students in years 4, 5 and 6, saying the quality and consistency of teaching needed to improve.

It said: “Pupils throughout Key Stage 2 are not making the rapid progress needed to overcome their previous underachievement.

“Despite individual lessons providing good opportunities for learning, over the longer term, pupils of all abilities in years 4, 5 and 6 still need greater and more continuous challenge in their learning to ensure they make the best possible progress over time.”

It added: “Teachers do not use information about what pupils know and can do already, particularly in English and mathematics, well enough to inform future lesson planning and they do not always have high enough expectations or provide the challenge needed to build on what pupils have learnt previously.

“This has a negative impact on pupils' progress.”

The report said poor progress had been made by year 6 pupils in both 2011 and 2012, particularly in English and maths, which was significantly below national standards.

It also said that since its last inspection in 2010, which rated the school good, a significant number of staff changes had taken place.

Since July's inspection the school has a new headteacher, Emma Kelty, who joined in September.

Nobody from Knollmead was available for comment.