A BOURNEMOUTH infant school has been told that 'the quality of education pupils receive is not good', following a visit from Ofsted inspectors.

Leaders at Stourfield Infant School in Cranleigh Road were told that their 'teaching is not consistently based on strong subject knowledge' and that 'as a result, pupils have gaps in their knowledge', following an inspection carried out last month.

The school, which has 346 pupils between the ages of four and seven, was given a rating of 'Requires Improvement' across the board.

Ofsted previously judged Stourfield Infant School to be outstanding when it was last inspected in 2007 prior to becoming an academy.

From then until November 2020, the school was exempted by law from routine inspection, so there has been a longer gap than usual between inspections.

In the latest report, lead inspector Julie Carrington said: "Teachers do not use their assessments well enough. Sequences of work do not always build on what pupils already know.

"Some pupils get stuck, others are not moved on in their learning when they are ready."

However, inspectors recognised that the school is improving after a significant dip in its performance. and praised some aspects of the school's work.

Pupils enjoy school and attend well, they feel safe and are adamant that bullying does not happen, the report added.

They added: "The trust’s work is bringing about many school-wide improvements. Subject leaders are developing their leadership roles and responsibilities well."

The school is part of Twynham Learning. This is a multi-academy trust of two secondary schools and four primary schools in the local area of Christchurch.

In a statement about the result of the Oftsed report, acting executive headteacher at Stourfield Junior and Infant School, Emma Rawson said: "Whilst we are clearly disappointed with the judgement of the Ofsted report, we agree that improvements are required and are pleased that it acknowledges some of the real positives about Stourfield Infant School.

"We believe in the school; in its families and its staff and the robust improvement plan already in place prior to Ofsted’s visit will continue to be implemented. We are confident that the next inspection will report a much improved position.

"The report recognised that children enjoy coming to our school and that they feel happy and safe; that arrangements for safeguarding are effective and attendance is good. They also saw how our focus on mathematics and reading is having the desired effect and recognised that the children do well in mathematics and enjoy it; a love of learning is absolutely what we want to inspire in our pupils.

"The work on the content and sequencing of our curriculum has also been a significant piece of work recently and the inspection team noted that it was too early to see widespread impact, but our work continues to fully embed this.

"The inspection team highlighted their confidence in the capacity of Twynham Learning to bring about the rapid changes identified. The school team, who are now under the leadership of a new executive headteacher, will continue to work closely with colleagues across the Trust to build on the strengths that were recognised during the inspection and to ensure that there is an accelerated rate of improvement in those areas where the school must do better.

"We are confident about our improvement journey with our motivated staff team and overwhelmingly supportive parents who all want the best for our amazing children. As a result, we will build a stronger culture of ”two schools, one community” for everyone who attends a Stourfield School."