A headteacher has spoken of her ambition to create a ‘high-achieving’ school following an Ofsted report calling for further improvement.

In February 2015, Rowans Primary School was told to improve and following a visit in November 2016, inspectors have again called for improvement in their latest report.

In the latest report published last month, it is noted: “When joining the school, the headteacher and deputy headteacher faced the significant challenge of a legacy of inaccurate assessment information, weaker teaching and resulting pupil underachievement.

“They, along with governors, are determined that standards will improve.

“However, since the previous inspection, pupil progress has not been rapid enough to ensure pupils, particularly in key stage 2, catch up quickly.

“The headteacher has taken rigorous action to eradicate weaker teaching.

“Teachers are now being held more to account for the progress that pupils make and there is regular monitoring in place to review teachers’ performance.”

Headteacher Joanne Reed said: “We are disappointed that the last Ofsted inspection has not resulted in a higher rating for the school.

“However, the report highlights many of the improvements that we have made at the school since the last report and recognises the strengths that the school is now developing.

“Ofsted praised the ability of the headteacher and deputy headteacher, including our rigorous action to eradicate weaker teaching and capacity to secure further improvements for the school.

“It also recognised that the school’s early years provision is good and one of the strengths of the school.

“The report noted that attendance is rapidly improving as a result of close scrutiny of attendance information and that pupils are well cared for in a nurturing environment.

“However, we recognise that we have further to go.

“The report highlights a number of areas where we can improve and we have already implemented changes to address these. We continue to robustly address underperformance issues, teachers are held more accountable for the achievement of pupils and the vast majority of students are now making progress.

“It is also very clear that parents are now very supportive of the school.

“According to Ofsted’s online questionnaire for parents, 94% said they would recommend the school to other parents this year. We are very appreciative of this support and we are fully committed to making Rowans a high-achieving school that the community can be proud of.”