AN OTLEY school has expressed dismay at being given another 'requires improvement' Ofsted rating.

Inspectors reached the same conclusion about The Whartons Primary in late 2013, but noted that the then newly-appointed headteacher was driving forward positive changes.

That had given the school hope that it might be classed as Good this time around.

Instead, the new report once more flags up the need for wide-ranging improvements, noting "The progress pupils make is not consistently good in every class and every subject."

It continues: "The work teachers set is not always appropriately matched to pupils’ abilities.

"Teaching has not been strong enough over time to secure consistently good progress for all pupils."

Headteacher Julia Dickson, however, is convinced the school is making strides forward.

She said: "Our entire staff team and governing body are very disappointed with the ‘requires improvement’ judgement.

“We have made good progress since our last inspection having invested significant time and energy on embedding shared best practice, setting personalised targets for children, allowing children time to respond to marking and

feedback, and making improved progress for middle ability children.

“We are pleased Ofsted acknowledged that the recent improvements in teaching have started to accelerate pupils' progress, and this is reflected in our strong SATs results this year.

“I am immensely proud of our pupils' achievements and the way staff have responded.

"We are all committed to continuing to raise attainment and I am confident we have a strong basis for moving to an overall ‘good’ judgement in the near future."

Parent and Vice Chairman of Governors, Dr Anne Tallontire, added: "The governing body believes the school is making really good progress in addressing the issues raised, and in sustaining high achievement and a supportive culture for learning for all.

"We are all disappointed this has not been acknowledged, but are committed to building on the improvements already made."

Resident Leonie Pearce meanwhile, a former university lecturer and teacher trainer who has helped at the school, was critical of the report.

She said: "Its lack of inclusion of the school’s positive features is surely misleading.

"The overall conclusion is that the school ‘requires improvement’ in all areas - despite the 2015 end of Key Stage 1 and 2 results being above the national average, teachers are told that they need ‘higher expectations of all pupils, particularly in their behaviour and effort’."

She also criticised "contradictory" statements within the findings, and fears they could undermine staff morale.

The inspectors, meanwhile, did note a number of the school's strengths and recent improvements in teaching under the headteacher's "strong leadership".

They concluded that: "The school is well placed to move forward effectively."