ACOMB First School “requires improvement” just four years after Ofsted inspectors rated it as good.

The latest report, published on January 11, says former school leaders have allowed the quality of teaching and learning to decline, but acknowledges positive steps being taken by a new acting headteacher and chairman of governors.

In a joint statement, acting head Angela Speed and chairman of governors, Chris Hamlin, say they agree with most of the findings from the inspection which was carried out in November and consider it to be a fair and balanced reflection of the school’s current position.

Mr Hamlin said: “In September there was a significant change in school leadership. Most of the challenges that the school faces had already been recognised and the new management has actively begun to address them.

“Unfortunately, the inspection came before a number of significant initiatives could bed in.”

Lead inspector Fiona Manuel found that all five key areas – of leadership and management; quality of teaching; personal development, behaviour and welfare; outcomes for pupils and early years provision – require improvement.

In her findings she recorded that teaching does not always support or challenge different groups of pupils appropriately, in order to enable all pupils to reach their potential.

The report says: “Leadership roles are underdeveloped. A lack of wider accountability and professional development opportunities has hampered school growth.”

However, there was much recognition of the efforts of the new leadership team to turn things around and the report is clear that the school is now heading in the right direction.

The report says: “Newly-appointed leaders are beginning to have a positive impact on school improvement. A commitment to improvement is now tangible among leaders. Increased clarity about the school’s position, as well as a realistic strategy for driving the school forward, is thereby developing rapidly.”

Mr Hamlin added that, prior to the inspection, staff and governors visited a number of “outstanding” first schools in the Tyne Valley, including Sele First School in Hexham and Broomhaugh First School in Riding Mill, and are integrating their best practices at Acomb.

He pointed out that the most recent Government data on the school shows that Key Stage One outcomes for pupils reaching the end of Year Two are significantly above the national average and that this is highlighted in the report.

Mr Hamlin said: “The new school leadership are working hard to address the issues raised and are determined to implement the changes necessary to get the school back to its deserved ‘good’ status and beyond.”