SENIOR leaders at a primary school in Holcombe have been criticised for failing to take effective action after a negative Ofsted report.

Emmanuel Holcombe Primary, in Helmshore Road, was judged to “require improvement” when inspectors visited in September.

When Her Majesty’s Inspector of Schools (HMI) Joanne Olsson visited on December 10 to check on their progress, they found that there were “no planned actions” to improve the state of teaching, and they had been “slower to gain an overview of the school’s performance” in comparison to other areas.

Inspectors recommended that an external review of the governing body should be set up with the support of Bury Council, to ensure that problems are addressed.

In addition, the report revealed that teachers and governors “do not have a realistic understanding of teaching across the school”, although it did note that some actions taken by staff were starting to take effect.

In the September report, Ofsted described the achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, leadership and management as ‘requiring improvement’, but the behaviour and safety of pupils was deemed ‘outstanding’.

But the follow-up December report stated: “Not enough attention is given to the evidence in pupils’ books or your own progress data to draw conclusions on what teaching is typically like on a day-to-day basis.

“Although there is work to do to ensure the school is good by the next inspection, some of your actions are bearing fruit.

“The systems for checking on teaching and holding teachers to account for the progress pupils make have been reviewed and tightened up so they happen far more frequently.”

Headteacher Ellie Lorenzo said the school accepted the main thrust of the report, but pointed out that improvements had been noted. She said: “It is a little disappointing that this latest monitoring visit was made only 10 weeks after the original report, which is not a lot of time to make the required improvements.

“However, HMI has noted that we have not stood still since that time, and there is a common sense of purpose in making the necessary changes, which are already starting to bear fruit.

“HMI has recognised that we are eager to succeed, as are our governors and the local education authority, whose help has been invaluable. I am confident that, with the continuing support of all concerned, not least the parents of our young students, we will get there.”