An Oldham primary school has been ordered to improve after an inspection by Ofsted.

The education watchdog said Littlemoor Primary School's quality of education 'requires improvement' and that the leadership and management also needed to be better.

The school did achieve 'good' ratings in behaviour and attitude, personal development and early years provision.

Littlemoor joined the academy of the Kingfisher Learning Trust after it began to fall in Ofsted ratings, going from 'good' in 2014 to 'requires improvement' in 2018. 

The report into the school said that the main issues were due to previous weaknesses in the curriculum meaning there are existing gaps in pupils' learning. 

The Ofsted report said: "Pupils are happy at this vibrant, welcoming school. They enjoy learning and socialising with their friends.

"The school values of friendship, independence, respect and excellence are evident in the way that pupils conduct themselves.

"The school has high aspirations for pupils’ achievement. Following some major changes to the curriculum, an increasing number of pupils now meet the school’s high expectations for their academic success.

"However, because of weaknesses in the previous curriculum, some pupils have gaps in their learning.

"They do not achieve as well as they should."

Inspectors also said that in some subjects, staff do not help connect new learning with previous knowledge. 

The report into the school said some teachers are not selecting activities that support the content matter as deeply as expected meaning that pupils struggle to link old and new learning.

It also stated that teachers in some subjects do not help pupils remember prior learning, which hinders students from learning as well as they should.

However, the school now has introduced experiences that 'go beyond the academic curriculum' with dancing, cooking, outdoor activities and theatre trips just some of the opportunities. 

The report also stated that staff supported pupils with difficulty reading in a timely and appropriate way. 

The school also identifies the pupils who have additional needs including those with SEND, quickly.

The report said: "Staff receive effective guidance to equip them with the knowledge to support these pupils effectively.

"Although staff adapt their delivery of the curriculum to help pupils with SEND access learning, these pupils do not achieve as well as they should.

"This is because they experience the same shortcomings in the delivery of the curriculum as their peers."

The school, on Littlemoor Lane, received an overall rating of 'requires improvement' and must now follow the guidance of areas to improve set out in the report.

Littlemoor Primary School has been approached for comment.