BRIDPORT: Ofsted inspectors have said Bridport Primary School requires improvement.

The last inspection in 2011 rated the 413-pupil school ‘good’ but this year’s report says improvement is needed in every aspect, except for early years provision.

It said leadership and management, pupils’ behaviour, the quality of teaching and achievement of pupils all need to get better.

The school and governors have already talked to parents about what needs improving and say Ofsted has agreed with its priorities.

Inspector Sandra Woodman said the reasons the school had not been rated as good included leaders being too generous in the way they judged the school’s performance, governors not checking the school’s work with sufficient rigour, teachers not planning challenges for the most able pupils and pupils not behaving well consistently. Headteacher Debbie Brown , right, said: “I am determined that nothing will deter the school from improving its provision.

“We will continue to provide the very best for our pupils and take on all the advice we have been given because the children here deserve nothing less from us.”

She said they had been making significant improvements over the last two years – as was evidenced by achievements in the early years which Ofsted judged to be good.

Mrs Woodman said pupils settle quickly and happily and despite starting points below those typical for their age, catch up quickly and make good progress.

Mrs Brown said the same was now true in other years.

She added: “But unfortunately a few students in particular groups did not perform as well as we hoped last year and under the current Ofsted framework this had to be judged as requiring improvement. “The current progress is very good and we are confident that results next year will be good or better.”

Inspectors did praise the atmosphere and culture in the school.

Incidents of bullying were very infrequent and well managed, they said, adding that special educational needs and disabled students are well cared for and pupils feel safe.

Mrs Brown added: “While inspectors recognised that there have been significant improvements in the quality of teaching and learning they also felt that spelling, handwriting and the presentation of work could be better and achievement in mathematics could improve further.” Chairman of governors, Sarah Case said: “We are confident that the school has the capacity to improve further.

“The inspectors recognised that the dedicated headteacher had the complete confidence of the staff and 96 per cent of parents who responded to the online questionnaire said they are very happy and would recommend the school.

“The report also reflected that all are committed to making the necessary changes to raise achievement. “The governors share that commitment.”