ST Stephen's Kearsley Moor CE Primary School, which has undergone many changes in recent years, is now progressing well under the "strong" leadership of headteacher Margaret Cross.

That is the verdict of Ofsted inspectors who also concluded that the governing body provide clear educational direction for the work of the school. Relationships between staff, pupils and parents are highlighted as a strength.

The Government appointed inspectors report that 50 per cent of the lessons they observed were good or very good .

At the end of Key Stage 2, when pupils are aged 11, and moving on to secondary education, levels of attainment in maths and physical education are above national expectations and others are in line.

The school's wide variety of extra curricular activity is praised and and the provision for pupils' spiritual, moral and social development is good.

Among the key issues for action is the need to raise standards of attainment in information technology.

The school is also urged to apply a more rigorous approach to teaching and monitoring of reading and provide more challenging work for the high achievers.

These issues and others will be contained within an action plan which is being drawn up. However the team recognised that "the school's own planning has identified the issues and action has been planned in order to address them."

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