Ellingham Primary School in Chessington has been rated ‘requires improvement’ in its latest Ofsted report.

The report found that since the school’s last inspection “leaders have not ensured that pupils receive a good standard of education” and that “as a result, pupil’s outcomes have declined”.

The school has dropped from ‘good’, the rating it received in 2013.

See related: Chessington primary school rated good in latest Ofsted report

The latest report stated because of “weak governance” leaders have “not been held to account” for the school’s performance.

Although the curriculum is “broad”, the report found it does “not offer pupils sufficient opportunities to deepen their learning”, particularly when it comes to science.

Pupils’ progress is tracked well when it comes to reading, writing and maths, but checks in other subjects are “not robust”.

During the inspection, the quality of teaching varied, which “has resulted in all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, most able pupils and those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities, making inconsistent progress in English, mathematics and a range of subjects”.

On the other hand, the report found safeguarding procedures are “thorough and arrangements to keep pupils safe are effective”.

The amount of Year 1 pupils who achieved the expected standard in the phonics screening check, a test to ensure they have learned phonic decoding to an appropriate level, was above the national average.

The children’s behaviour is “good”- they were described as “polite” and “demonstrate pride in their school”.

As well as this, children is the early years were found to make “good progress”.

To improve, Ofsted has said teachers must raise their “expectations of what pupils can do and achieve” by “setting challenging learning activities”.

The curriculum must be further developed to “meet the learning needs of all pupils”.

Leaders need to improve on assessments in English and Maths “so that all pupils make consistently good progress and no pupil is left behind”.

In future, governors must challenge and “ask probing questions” about the school’s performance.

An Achieving for Children spokesman said: “The Ofsted inspection in January 2018 validated the school’s self-evaluation of Requires Improvement, and confirmed the ambitious approach of the school leadership team, school governors and local authority to improve outcomes for children. 

“Inspectors recognised particular strengths in the personal development, behaviour and welfare of the children and in early years provision, both of which were graded as Good.

 “The improvements recommended by Ofsted align closely with the existing school action plan and Ofsted recognised that leaders had already identified the correct priorities to raise standards.

“The impact of some of the initiatives praised by the inspectors are beginning to embed and will show impact over the coming year.

“School leaders, governors and the local authority are fully committed to rapid improvement at Ellingham Primary School, and will be working with parents, carers and the community to make Ellingham a Good school as soon as possible.”