A Bushey Primary School has been told in requires improvement in all areas in a recent inspection by Ofsted.

This is the first time Ofsted has inspected Little Reddings Primary School in Harcourt Road since it converted into an academy two years ago. Prior to that, the school had been rated as good.

The report, published last week, states that "leaders and governors have not ensured that all teaching has been good over time. Despite recent improvement there remains some inconsistency across classes and year groups in the progress pupils are making, particularly in writing."

In order to improve, the report suggests that the quality of teaching needs to improve. In particular, spelling, grammar and punctuation are not taught consistently well.

The reports says: "In a few classes, the most-able pupils do not make enough progress as the work set is too easy and does not motivate them. This is because teachers do have consistently high enough expectations of what pupils can achieve.

"Teachers do not always ensure that pupils of all abilities know what to do to be successful in their learning."

As a result, the report states that the achievement of pupils requires improvement, especially in reading, writing and maths year-on-year. However, it notes that the progess of pupils has been "hampered by frequent changes of staff, weaker teaching and some disruptive behaviour."

According to the inspectors, some pupils are not always focused and quiet as they should be, and a small number occasionally become "boisterous in their learning", which is "not always dealt with swiftly by teachers."

Whilst behaviour is an area that needs improvement, the report suggests that the school's new behaviour policy needs to be implemented consistently by all staff.

The report also points out that the headteacher, Carly Simmonds, who was only appointed to the post in April this year, knows the strength and weaknesses of the school well and has shown strong leadership.

Since April she has already improved the nursery provision and increased attendance and expectations of teaching and pupils' achievements.

Miss Simmonds said: "The report clearly states that the school has made great changes and that these are already having a positive impact upon the children and their families.

"Myself and the Senior Leadership Team have a robust plan in place to return Little Reddings to its previously ‘good’ Ofsted status as soon as possible, and will strive for an outstanding school for our local community.  

"We are a friendly, nurturing school where the children and their families feel safe and happy."