A HEADTEACHER has criticised an Ofsted report which downgraded his school’s rating.

Bincombe Valley Primary School in Littlemoor has been told it ‘requires improvement’ after its latest inspection, losing the ‘good’ rating it previously held.

According to the report the school failed to uphold its good rating due to failings in several areas including the teaching standards in Years 3 and 4, the standard of marking, the progress of pupils and attendance.

But headteacher Les Strong aid the report ‘doesn’t paint a full enough picture of the richness of activity’ within the school.

Mr Strong, who is retiring after almost 40 years of teaching, said: “The school had identified the areas that required improvement with the Ofsted Inspection team.

“We had already put in place measures to support the progress of pupils and to increase attendance. These measures have had an immediate and successful impact.

“Ofsted itself attempts to assure quality provision, but has become increasingly data driven, often viewed as condemning rather than supporting and affirming, and in some respects has lost touch with the holistic development of each child as a unique individual.”

He added: “My disappointment with the report is that it doesn’t paint a full enough picture of the richness of activity in our school.

“There is no mention of the residential and outdoor activity pupils regularly experience, to which teachers devote a good deal of time.

“There is also scant recognition and little appreciation of the variety of sports and activity clubs run by the school every day for pupils.”

The school was praised for the achievement of pupils and teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The good work of teaching assistants helping children who are disabled or who have special educational needs and the good behaviour of children both inside and outside the classroom was also recognised.

“Parents have raised concerns about the inspection team’s findings, stating a view borne out of their experience, that Bincombe Valley Primary is a very good school,” Mr Strong said.

“The school is determined to continue to build upon its many successes over recent years. We are confident that we will fully support the needs of our children and exceed the requirements of Ofsted.”