A TAUNTON primary school has been rated as 'inadequate' by the inspection body.

Ofsted visiting Minerva Primary School, Outer Circle, in May earlier this year.

Minerva Primary School opened in 2016, and has seen a change in leadership since during its three years.

The school is part of the Redstart Learning Partnership Trust, which also looks after seven other primary schools in Somerset.

The report, published this month, outlines the failings of the school and highlights areas which need improvement.

Somerset County Gazette:

Julie Carrington, lead inspector, said: "Since opening, the quality of teaching and pupils’ outcomes have been inadequate at the school.

"Trustees’ actions to appoint a new leader and deputy chief executive officers (CEO) this year are providing the capacity that this school urgently required.

"Current leaders are making headway in ensuring that the school functions as it should.

"They have made notable improvements to middle leadership and pupils’ early education. However, they have not ensured that pupils’ underachievement across the school is fully eliminated.

"Many pupils have gaps in their knowledge and understanding. Teaching is not yet remedying these significant weaknesses effectively enough. Some pupils’ work is not matched to their needs.

"Teaching has not covered the national curriculum as a minimum in the past. This has prevented pupils from mastering the concepts they need as they progress year on year.

"The English and mathematics curriculums have been overhauled. However, current teaching is still too inconsistent.

"School leaders are addressing weak teaching stringently. A comprehensive training package is improving staff subject knowledge.

"Leaders have taken decisive action to increase teaching time for basic skills to help pupils to catch up. As a result, the curriculum is narrow in the short term."

The report also noted how exclusion and absence rates are too high.

The new school leader was praised in the report, stating he understood the weaknesses that needed to be improved and the leaders do not 'shy away' from difficult decisions.

Headteacher, Steve Beynon, said: "This is a really significant improvement for the school and while we are fully aware of the journey ahead, the inspection team were very clear that we are doing all the right things.

"While there is much still to do to get the judgement of Good in all areas in our next inspection, we are all heartened by the significant amount of strengths reflected in this report.

"Following this report we will be reviewing our improvement plan and we will share this with parents as well as giving regular up-dates on our progress against this plan."

To read the full report click here

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