Barnacre Road Primary School: a once good primary school is told it is now inadequate

Barnacre Road Primary School was reinspected by the educational watchdog on February 2-3, and was given an ‘inadequate’ rating for quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision.

Whilst behaviour and attitudes and personal development were rated ‘good’, the overall judgement was ‘inadequate’, and the school has been told it “may not appoint early career teachers before the next monitoring inspection.”

Barnacre Road Primary School was rated ‘good’ in its last full inspection in 2013, following ‘satisfactory’ reports in 2007 and 2009.

What did Ofsted say was particularly good about Barnacre Road?

The report begins by saying “some pupils at Barnacre Road Primary School receive an acceptable standard of education”, and this “helps them to achieve well”. Pupils are also said to “rise to leaders’ high expectations for behaviour and conduct”, showing “consideration and respect for their classmates.”

Inspectors wrote: “Leaders ensure that pupils’ personal development is catered for well. Pupils benefit from trips that enrich the curriculum. They develop a strong understanding of British values through what they learn in school. Pupils develop a secure knowledge of physical and mental well-being. They are tolerant of others.”

Similarly, the school was praised for offering “a range of clubs that develop [pupils’] talents and interests”, as well as opportunities to take on leadership roles, and to develop their sense of citizenship through activities such as fundraising events.

Special mention was also made of the school’s off-site woodland area which is used to enhance aspects of their curriculum.

What does Barnacre Road need to improve on?

Inspectors noted that "in some subjects, teachers are not clear on the specific knowledge that pupils need to learn and how best to deliver it”, they “do not know how to assess pupils’ learning”, and “pupils do not develop their knowledge securely over time”.

Moreover, “leaders have not prioritised the needs of pupils with SEND. They have not kept an eye on the curriculum experiences for these pupils and have not provided guidance to staff on how to adapt their delivery of the curriculum where necessary.”

Leaders have also “not designed a suitable curriculumin the early years”, explaining “children repeat the same themes each year without sufficient forethought given to their different ages and prior experiences of the same themes” and so “are not ready for the demands of Year 1.”

In addition, “teachers are not well trained to provide effective early reading catch-up support", and “maintenance of records, policies and procedures related to behaviour, bullying and safeguarding are not as robust as they should be.”

Inspectors also wrote that "Leadership of the school has deteriorated since the last inspection”, and “Governors do not have the appropriate knowledge and expertise that they need to evaluate the work of leaders”.

Ofsted summarised: “Weaknesses in leadership means that there is insufficient capacity to tackle the shortcomings at the school that contribute to pupils’ poor achievement. Leaders’ oversight of many aspects of the school, including the delivery of the curriculum, is lacking. Leaders are too reliant on external support. Governors must ensure that urgent action is taken to secure sufficient leadership capacity throughout the school.”

What does Barnacre Road say about its Ofsted report?

Jo Banks, associate headteacher, said: "Everyone is bitterly disappointed with the overall rating, though were pleased to be rated 'good' in two categories.

"We will strive to improve standards and have taken swift action to address the inspector's findings.

"We are working closely with Lancashire County Council Monitoring an Intervention Team, who are providing staff with the guidance and training needed.

"The first phase of a detailed action plan is now beginning to be implemented across the school.

"A robust audit and review of our SEN provision has been competed, with staff training on interventions planned for the end of this term.

"The Early Years curriculum has also been reviewed and overhauled, with support from a foundation teacher from an 'outstanding' Early Years school.

"We are also supporting staff who are understandably upset by Ofsted's findings.

"Though staff are saddened at the inspector's overall findings, we were pleased to see that the inspector noted that Pupils rise to leaders’ high expectations for behaviour and conduct.

"Pupils also show consideration and respect for their classmates, with the inspector stating that pupils’ relationships with staff are equally positive.

"The inspector noted that leaders deal with instances of bullying effectively and concluded that pupils are safe and happy at the school.

"Despite the positives, we know we have fallen way below our high standards.

"Parents have been kept fully informed of the situation and I would like to reassure them that we are committed to doing whatever it takes to turn things around as soon as is physically possible.

"The school's governing body are fully behind the leadership team and, following a review of their own governance, look forward to the improvement process."

The MailOnline has reported that headteacher Simon Wallis has taken long-term sick leave following the Ofsted report.

Simon, who has been headteacher at Barnacre since 2003, last made the news in May 2022, when he was invited to Buckingham Palace after being awarded the High Sheriff of Lancashire award.