A PRIMARY school is failing its pupils.

St Gregory's RC Primary School has been placed into special measures after a damming report by Ofsted inspectors who downgraded the school's from requires improvement in 2016 to inadequate after finding the Farnworth school was failing to given its pupils "an acceptable standard of education".

Headteacher Kelly Watson said that the school was "disappointed" in the judgement but the school was addressing issues raised in the report.

Inspectors found that weak teaching is resulting in too few pupils reaching the expected or higher standards with numbers dipping further last year — apart from in reading.

The progress of the brightest children was described as weak because they are not challenged in class — and the number of children persistently absent is higher than the national average.

St Gregory's RC — which is said to have experienced "considerable turbulence" — was found to be "overly reliant on external support".

Inspectors reported: "Standards in reading, writing and mathematics are falling, and too many pupils are not well prepared for the next stage of their education."

It added: "Governors say that the exceptionally low outcomes from the 2017 statutory tests at the end of Year Six were ‘a total shock’. They now accept that the school needs to improve. However, governors do not understand just how weak the school’s performance is in comparison with other schools nationally nor the urgency of the need to address this considerable shortcoming."

Most pupils were described as being keen to learn but become restless when "teaching does not meet pupils' needs".

But Ofsted did note that teaching has improved in Years Five and Six which is being to have an impact on standards in English and mathematics and noted teachers develop good relationships with the children.

Mrs Watson said: "We are disappointed with the inadequate judgement given by Ofsted. They do however recognise that safeguarding is effective and that we provide a safe place where pupils can learn and play together.

"We are glad that the inspection team recognised that the leadership team have accurately identified strategic priorities for St Gregory’s and that staff and parents speak positively about the school.

"The leadership team and governors, with the support of the Diocese and council, are already working to address the issues raised in the report. We are determined to ensure St. Gregory’s moves forward by continuing to put the welfare and education of our pupils at the heart of everything we do."