A RAMSBOTTOM school has been criticised in a report which says some brighter students find work “too easy”.

Holcombe Brook Primary, in Longsight Road, was judged to “require improvement” by Ofsted inspectors during a visit in March.

The school had previously been given the same grade three rating — then described as “satisfactory” - but under revamped Ofsted criteria, is now described as “requires improvement”.

The report stated that children leave the school with levels of attainment that are “broadly in line with the national average”, but that brighter pupils are not challenged enough, and that overall achievement is “not good”.

It stated: “Although there is evidence of good progress in some classes and subjects, it is inconsistent.

“Most able pupils are not sufficiently challenged, therefore, too few of them reach the highest levels of attainment or make good progress.”

The report continued: “The most able pupils inparticular are not expected to tackle work that is hard enough. Often work is too easy for them.”

However, inspectors praised the behaviour of pupils, saying they are “very well mannered, respectful and show good care for each other and feel safe”.

They stated: “Pupils have very good manners. They are polite and treat each other and all adults with respect.

“They have the confidence to talk openly to visitors, asking as well as answering questions.”

Headteacher Gill Evans admitted she was disappointed with the report but said work to improve their rating has started.

She said: “We are obviously disappointed with our recent rating given the amount of hard work and progress made within school since our last report.

“All school staff, leaders, governors and pupils have been relentlessly focused upon improvement across all areas of school over the last two years.

“Whilst this positive development is actually recognised in many areas within the new report, the overall ‘good’ grading remains out of our reach until we are able to demonstrate further accelerated progress in our data between Key Stage One and Two.

“This is an area we will continue to focus on along with the new national curriculum which commences in September and a forthcoming change to the assessment system in primary schools over the next two years.”