OAKDALE Junior School has been downgraded from ‘outstanding’ to ‘requires improvement’ in the latest Ofsted inspection report.

The school, then Oakdale South Road Middle School, received the highest rating after its 2010 inspection, but just four years later, the standard has plummeted two grades – with pupils’ achievement, teaching quality and leadership all graded three – requiring improvement.

Only behaviour and safety of pupils was deemed ‘good’.

After extensive building work to accommodate the change in the age of transfer, the school became Oakdale Junior in September last year. Ofsted inspectors who visited in July, found a number of weaknesses including in attainment especially in writing and mathematics, which has ‘not been consistently above the national average’ at the end of Year Six – although ‘most pupils start Year Three with skills typically above those expected for their age’.

Some pupils ‘do not make good progress’ and at times ‘teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve are too low, especially for the most able’. In addition ‘the quality of marking and feedback is not of a consistently high standard’ and ‘poor presentation and handwriting are not routinely challenged’.

A list of recommendations in the report includes setting suitably challenging tasks, giving high quality feedback, requiring work to be presented to a high standard, raising teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve, and improving pupils’ handwriting and mathematical skills.

The Ofsted inspectors also point to strengths including the head and senior leaders and governors ‘taking positive action to raise pupils’ achievement’, teachers’ ‘positive relationships with pupils’ and the learning enriching visits and out-of-school clubs. It also adds that ‘pupils enjoy school and feel safe’ and ‘behave well in lessons and around the school’.

David Mann, chairman of governors at the school, said: “While the judgment is disappointing, we are pleased the report recognises that steps have already been put into place to ensure further improvement. The school and the governing body will continue to ensure all pupils are provided with the best possible all-round education and we will use the recommendations of the report to support our plans for continued improvement.”

Vicky Wales, head of children, young people and learning, Borough of Poole, said: “The headteacher has very clear expectations and a strong desire to improve the school’s performance.

“Her vision and commitment to the needs of the pupils are having a positive impact on improving the school.”