A primary school in Mayford has been praised for its high-quality support and improved reading, although inspectors have identified areas for development in its latest Ofsted report.

Barnsbury Primary School and Nursery met the expected standard in six areas in the recent report, with inspectors highlighting the school’s work to support pupils’ wellbeing, writes Josh Howard.

The report was positive about the school’s progress, claiming that “pupils typically achieve well.”

Inspectors recognised improvements in reading, stating: “Leaders have secured improvements in pupils’ achievement.

“They have now rightly identified the need to further develop other aspects. This work has already begun.”

The school’s teaching was praised with staff being able to identify pupils’ needs and provide appropriate support. However, inspectors noted that teaching was not always consistent in helping pupils develop an understanding of what they had been taught.

“Sometimes, teachers’ decisions about how they deliver the curriculum do not always lead to all pupils developing a detailed knowledge and understanding of what has been taught,” wrote the inspection team.

The school’s nursery was identified as a drawback with inspectors finding that children’s language and communication skills were not developing as effectively as they could.

They added: “Teaching does not routinely build children’s language or knowledge as well as it could.

“For example, the quality of interactions between adults and children varies too much.”

The school has been praised for its approach in supporting special educational needs and disabilities. Barnsbury’s pastoral support lies at the heart of its approach and leaders make sure those who have additional vulnerabilities receive the high-quality support they need.

Throughout the last three years, the school’s combined results in reading, writing and mathematics have remained below the national average. However, reading performance is above the national average, offering signs of progress.

The inspection was carried out by Luke Graham, His Majesty’s Inspector.