A SCHOOL has retained its 'requires improvement' rating despite making some promising progress.

Bayards Hill School in Barton was judged to meet Ofsted's second-worst standard in 2017, and was reinspected in December to check if changes had been made.

A new report based on that inspection has delivered the same overall rating, with some areas rated worse compared to last time.

It stated: "Bayards Hill School is coming out of an unsettled time. Pupils have experienced frequent changes of teachers.

"The new headteacher has made key improvements to the curriculum over the past term.

"These changes were necessary and overdue."

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The 386-pupil primary school was rated 'requires improvement' in all areas except early years, which was rated 'inadequate'.

This was due to 'weak' reception provision, inspectors said.

Nursery provision was described as 'strong', however.

Early years in 2017 was rated 'good', as was leadership and management, and personal development, behaviour and welfare.

The latest report, published in January, was positive about more recent changes.

Inspectors wrote: "Pupils are glad about the recent improved stability in staffing.

"In almost all year groups, pupils are now learning better than they did before.

"Pupils behave well in class and like the calm purposefulness of their lessons. They are eager to show what they have learned."

Gareth Griffiths became headteacher of the school last summer, and said his team has 'put a number of structures and plans in place to ensure continued improvement within the school.'

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He added: "Successfully implementing change will continue to be our focus going forward to ensure rapid improvement for our school community."

The academy in Waynflete Road is run by Community Schools Alliance Trust, which also oversees Cheney School.

The trust's chief executive Jolie Kirby said: "It is positive that the inspection team noted that Bayards Hill Primary School is moving in the right direction.

"With our new headteacher and leaders we are seeing really important improvements in how pupils are making progress."

Maurice East, chair of governors at the school, said: "Governors recognise that much improvement work needs to be done, but with the stability, vision and leadership provided by our new headteacher, we are confident that rapid progress can be achieved for all our pupils."

Liz Tyler Bell, chair of trustees at the trust, said: "We welcome the feedback from Ofsted and agree that Bayards Hill requires improvement to give our children the life chances they deserve.

"We are encouraged by the recognition that recent changes to the curriculum, to staff training and the support we put in place for SEND children are giving children a better education.

"We are committed to ensuring these changes are fully implemented across all age groups and with a particular focus on rapid improvement in our early years provision."