Primary school slammed by Ofsted

A primary school in Dukinfield where teachers went on strike over allegations of violence in the classroom has been slammed by Ofsted inspectors.

Ravensfield Primary School was visited by the education watchdog, who criticised the teaching, behaviour and achievement at the school. The school on Clarendon Street has many students ‘lacking the basic knowledge in writing and mathematics’ early on and leads to them falling behind in later years, according to inspectors.

Lead inspector Jo Olsson led a team of five around the school for an inspection in February. They gave a long list of improvements to the Tameside school, scoring them as either ‘needs attention’ or ‘urgent improvement’ in every category.

Representatives from Changing Lives in Collaboration (CLIC) Trust, who are in charge of the school, say they are working to make the necessary improvements for the pupils. 

Inspectors noticed how low expectations of pupil behaviour had ‘become the norm’, with challenging behaviour, poor attitudes to learning and a lack of desire to succeed all noted down in their report. Despite this, a new comprehensive behaviour policy is at the early stages of tackling disruptive behaviour. 

The report went on to say there is a suitable curriculum in place, but weak delivery means that pupils do not gain the knowledge and skills they need. Inspectors highlighted that pupils’ needs are not identified quickly enough as staff don’t have the information to understand the range of needs within their classrooms. This results in academic gaps widening compared to other disadvantaged pupils nationally, according to the report.

The recently published Ofsted report read: “Some pupils enjoy school. Others do not. Pupils dislike their learning being interrupted by the poor behaviour of others. “They object to name-calling, which does not show respect for the differences between people. Pupils hold a common wish for greater fairness and equity in how they are treated by staff.

“While most pupils do not cause serious disruption, they have poor attitudes to learning. Many do not try to do their best. “This is due to staff’s low expectations. Pupils do not gain a sense of pride or a determination to succeed. Attendance rates are close to average but declining over time. “Pupils’ achievement is weak. The curriculum is not taught well. Pupils’ barriers to learning are not identified swiftly, and gaps in their learning go unnoticed and unresolved. “This is especially true for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.”

The relationship between management and staff was described as fractured by inspectors. ‘Morale is low because staff do not believe their wellbeing is considered’, the report found. Ravensfield was one of two primary schools run by the Changing Lives in Collaboration (CLIC) Trust that went on strike over a number of days in January. Both Ravensfield and Lily Lane Primary School in Moston took to the picket line waving flags and holding placards with messages like ‘zero tolerance to violence’ and ‘out here for their future’.

A spokesperson for the education trust said: “We fully accept Ofsted’s findings and recognise the need for significant improvement. The school joined the trust in late 2024 because it needed the support of a strong and collaborative trust to tackle the long-standing challenges. “As Ofsted notes, recent changes in leadership are beginning to make a positive difference and leaders are taking the right action to tackle deep-rooted weaknesses, with a clear and accurate understanding of what needs to improve. “Additional leadership capacity is now in place, essential systems have been strengthened and work is already underway on the urgent priorities highlighted in the report. Importantly, Ofsted confirmed that safeguarding standards are now met, with an open culture where concerns are identified and acted upon, and where pupils are made safer and feel safe.

“As the Ofsted report says, this is just the start of the journey. Staff are engaging positively in this process and we are committed to rebuilding relationships, expectations and trust across the whole school community. Every child deserves a school that is calm, ambitious, well-led and focused on their success and wellbeing. “We are confident the plan underway will deliver the school transformation our pupils need.”