Ofsted report: Totland Community Primary School

A PRIMARY school on the Isle of Wight has been put on special measures after "serious weaknesses" were noted in its performance by a team of Ofsted Inspectors.

The Island's council is to take over the running of Totland Community Primary School from December 2 this year after an inspection identified serious problems with aspects of teaching at the school and the standards pupils achieve.

The governing body is to be dissolved from the moment the council starts runnning the school next week.

Cliff Huggins, acting chair of the governors, said: "My fellow governors and I are very disappointed at the overall judgement of special measures, given the hard work of all connected with the school and the progress, which the inspectors recognised, that has been made in many areas.

"However, we recognise that we have not moved far or fast enough. To secure the most rapid improvement for the pupils, we have asked the local education authority to use its powers under the 2002 Education Act to assume delegated powers and take direct control of the school."

The three-strong Ofsted team visited the school in September. Though they noted a number of significant improvements since the last Ofsted two years previously in respect of the attitude of pupils and their enjoyment in learning, the strong links with the community and parents support of the school, the latest inspection judged that the school was failing in its teaching standards.

Head teacher Jane Blake, said: "I am equally disappointed in the outcome of the inspection. However, my staff and I fully support the governor's decision, as the best way of returning the school to health and enabling us to set and achieve the highest possible standards for the children and community.

"Though we recognise the issues raised by the inspection, we are also pleased to note the school was found to be caring and standards in mathematics were above average by the end of Year 4."

Keith Simmonds, senior inspector of the local education authority, said: "We have agreed to the governing body's request and will take responsibility for the school from Monday, December 2, 2002. By working directly with the school we can ensure a rapid improvement for the pupils.

"Already, we have been able to support the school's teaching and Foundation Key Stage work with an Early Years specialist. The next task is to produce an action plan, which will be sent to all parents, to address the issues raised.

"In the long term, the authority intends to return delegated powers to the school and to assist this process will establish a consultancy group from the school community."

A parents' meeting to discuss the report and improvements will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, December 3 at the school.