Pupils have 'borne' brunt of serious decline in quality of education' - Ofsted report

A primary school where pupils have ‘borne the brunt of a serious decline in the quality of education’ has been deemed ‘inadequate’ by inspectors. This follows a visit by an Ofsted team to Kerem Shloime in Broughton in January. At its prior inspection the school was said to be ‘good’.

“[The pupils’] academic development has suffered considerably,” the report said. “They deserve better.” It said expectations for pupils’ achievement were low. “In most subjects, the work that they receive does not help them to build up the knowledge that they need,” it continued.

“In some subjects, they have hardly any lessons at all. This means that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), do not achieve well.”

READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community

In contrast, it said, leaders’ expectations for children in the early years are much higher. “They thrive and learn in their well-organised environment.”

The report said that pupils understand and follow school rules. Older pupils are respectful to adults and the school is ‘generally calm and orderly’. “Leaders take swift action to address any bullying if it occurs,” the report said.

“Pupils have opportunities to visit sports centres and local parks in order to learn more about their community. They learn that they must respect people who are different from themselves. However, their understanding of the range of differences that exist between people is limited.”

The school, which has a capacity of 221 pupils, has been without permanent leadership since its last inspection when it was judged to be ‘good’.

“During this time, the curriculum has become disorganised and fragmented,” the report continued. “Leaders have failed to