A primary school in Oldham which has been graded 'good' or higher for more than 18 years has been ordered to improve by the education watchdog.

Mayfield Primary School on Mayfield Road in Derker teaches children between three and 11 and has historically been considered a 'good' school by Ofsted since its first graded inspection in 2006.

The primary was graded 'outstanding' in 2009 before dropping back down to 'good' four years later and in 2016, the school was converted into an academy.

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Ofsted inspector, Gill Pritchard, later praised headteacher Couper Barton in a brief inspection in 2018, commenting on his "commitment", "integrity" and "high aspirations for pupils". 

However, in a fresh follow-up inspection in June this year, a team of three inspectors, Claire Cropper, Nicola Howard and Joan Grant, said the school "requires improvement", despite scoring high in three main areas of criteria.

The report revealed pupils are "happy" at school and enjoy a range of opportunities through clubs and responsibilities such as business challenges or where they can become a 'Mayfield Marvel'. 

Students are "polite and respectful" while those who find it difficult to manage their behaviour are well supported by "skilled staff".

As a result, Ofsted said the school is "a calm and welcoming place" where strong relationships "permeate all aspects of school life".

As for learning, Ofsted described the curriculum as "ambitious" while pupils told the inspectors that staff "make learning fun".

The report added: "Teachers typically deliver the curriculum with fidelity."

Children in the early years achieve well as they learn to cooperate and considerate others in their learning and play which builds a "firm foundation" for their behaviour as they progress through the school, the report continued.

Since the last inspection, it was noted Mayfield Primary has reinvigorated its focus on ensuring pupils are better prepared for secondary school by the end of Year 6 and has reduced its absence figures.

When it came to leadership and governance, Ofsted said bosses support staff effectively, know the school and the community well and has a "tangible sense of common purpose".

However, the inspectors found some pupils "do not achieve as well as they should" because the curriculum "is not as effective as it could be".

The team also found there are "inconsistencies" in how well teachers adapt the delivery of the curriculum to meet some pupils' needs, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and "inconsistency" in how well teachers support pupils to rehearse and embed their learning.

Teachers do not "check carefully enough" that students' understanding of a subject is secure before moving on, the report continued, which means some have gaps in their knowledge as they progress through the school.

While reading is promoted well from the reception year through to the end of year 1, Ofsted said some pupils "struggle to be able to decode unfamiliar words" in key stage 2 which "limits their ability to access the rest of the curriculum with ease".

Children with SEND do not achieve as well as they could, Ofsted wrote, as they "struggle to access the curriculum" and "teachers are unsure how best to support them".

As a result, Ofsted said the school is 'good' in three areas - behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early years provision - but found it 'requires improvement' in the quality of education and leadership and management.

To restore its overall 'good' grade, the Ofsted team said Mayfield Primary should ensure teachers check pupils' learning to prepare them for their next stages, particularly in reading, and support staff to improve their delivery of the curriculum. 

In addition, the school should better equip teachers to meet the different needs of pupils including those with SEND in the school.

Mayfield Primary School has been contacted for comment.

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk