School inspectors impressed with Riverside Primary School's progress

Inspectors have been impressed with a primary school’s progress since it was told it must improve.

Ofsted visited Riverside Primary School on Thursday, March 20 to monitor its progress for the first time since its official inspection last year.

In December the school, in Cookham Road, was told it 'requires improvement' and given the second lowest inspection rating.

It was criticised for not challenging its pupils, who it said were not fulfilling their potential.

The update says that since then two teachers have left the school, and a newly qualified teacher has joined. Senior staff are also spending more hours in the classroom.

The monitoring report praised the school for focusing on ‘the right priorities for improvement’ and teachers for planning activities that 'more closely match the needs of pupils'.

It says pupils are moving onto more difficult work quicker than before, and there is a higher expectation of what they can achieve. The children are also able to identify where they can improve, and struggling pupils are given extra support.

The report adds: "More able pupils are completing more challenging work in small groups with a dedicated member of staff."

The school, which changed its name from Ellington Primary School in January, has submitted an application to build an extension including a classroom, library and toilet.