A SOUTHAMPTON school that was named one of the best in the country has dropped down an Ofsted grade.

Portswood Primary School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted since 2001 and appeared on a list of the top 20 primaries in the latest edition of Parent Power.

But now the school has dropped to a "Good" rating following its most recent inspection on February 16 and 17.

Three out of five categories were rated as "Outstanding" by inspectors and the other two were rated as "Good".

READ MORE: Southampton primary school named as one of best in UK

Inspectors found that pupils are "proud" of their diverse and multicultural school and celebrate the ways in which this diversity contributes to their community.

The report highlights that leaders at the school have a "clear consensus about the knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn in each subject".

The curriculum was described as "broad and balanced", and assessment is used to check how well pupils understand their learning.

The report found that previously, leaders have "not always focused sufficiently" on how well the curriculum was being implemented for pupils with special education needs or disabilities.

But since joining a new multi-academy trust in July 2020, staff described a "sea change" in the approach.

The report said: "The youngest children learn how to stay safe and healthy, how to recognise and manage their feelings and how to treat others with kindness and respect.

"As pupils move through the school, they are supported to become responsible, respectful and active citizens."

The report states that the welfare and protection of students are "at the heart of their reasoning and decision-making".

However, the report also highlighted what the school needs to do better.

Inspectors found that a "small number" of children who struggle to learn to read do not consistently get the "right support" from sufficiently expert staff.

They said that leaders should develop the expertise of all staff in the teaching of early reading so that every pupil "receives precisely the right help".

The Daily Echo has contacted Portswood Primary School for comment.

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