Inspectors tell primary school to improve as it is placed on blacklist

A PRIMARY school in Hull has become the sixth in the city to be placed on the Government’s education blacklist.

Ofsted inspectors put Mersey Primary School in special 
measures, following a visit in October.

Hull Council said the school, in Derwent Street, and its governors were working closely with the local authority on an action plan to address concerns.

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Inspectors said leaders had not been effective at addressing “important” weaknesses, pupils’ achievement was inadequate and the school’s performance had declined since the last inspection.

Teaching was inadequate and leaders’ evaluation of the school’s performance was “inaccurate and too generous”.

On the plus side, teachers were committed to improvement and pupils “really enjoy school and feel safe”.

The report said the appointment of new staff, in particular a new deputy headteacher, had started to improve the quality of teaching.

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Overall the school was rated inadequate in three categories, although behaviour and safety of children was judged “good”.

Headteacher Peter Robinson said: “The staff are understandably upset and extremely disappointed at the outcome of this inspection. But they are determined and committed to respond to the issues raised and move the school forwards.”

Chair of Governors Margaret Holliday added: “This report is disappointing considering the hard work and commitment of all the staff at Mersey Primary School. I have every confidence that we will all work together to bring the school through this difficult time.”

Other schools currently in special measures include Wold and Ainthorpe primaries, and three secondaries, Kingswood, Sydney Smith and Endeavour. The news about Endeavour only emerged this week. It now hopes to become an academy.