A primary school has been placed in special measures and told it cannot recruit newly-qualified teachers after being inspected and deemed ‘inadequate’. Cadishead Primary School in Salford got the lowest available overall grading by Ofsted following a visit by inspectors in November. However, in the sub-categories of behaviour and attitudes and personal development, the school on Allotment Road was said to be ‘good’. The inspection report said that the 333 pupils at the school ‘do not receive the quality of education that they deserve’. It said: “The school’s focus has been on managing behaviour at the expense of ensuring that pupils can thrive academically. “This has overshadowed and hindered too many other aspects of the school’s development. “Pupils said that behaviour has improved recently. Most pupils behave well. They told inspectors that they feel safe and happy in school. Pupils trust staff. “They know that staff will look after them and listen to their worries. Staff act quickly to stop harmful behaviours.” But the report sent on to say that leaders and governors lack the capacity to tackle the shortcomings at this school. It went on: “Over time, due to the considerable focus on behaviour, the school has not taken the action needed to improve the quality of education that pupils receive. This has declined since the previous inspection (when its overall rating was ‘good’).” The report said the school has not set out an ambitious curriculum that meets the needs of pupils. “Too little thought has been given to what pupils need to learn and when this content should be taught,” it said. “This prevents pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieving well across many subjects. “The published data for 2023 showed Year 6 pupils were ill-prepared for the next stage of their education (secondary school).” In a list of issues the school needs to put right, the report says: “The school must clarify its curriculum thinking as a matter of urgency. It should design a curriculum that enables pupils to achieve well.” It also said the school must ensure that the curriculum enables pupils to become fluent readers and writers, so that they are ‘ready for their future learning’. Children in the early years are not as well prepared for Year 1 as they should be and this needs to improve as well as checks on what is being taught and how well pupils are learning. The school was also told it must continue to improve pupils attendance with too many being regularly absent from school, which further impedes their achievement. In conclusion, the report said: “In accordance with the Education Act 2005, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that this school requires special measures because it is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education and the persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement in the school.” Salford city council has been contacted for comment.
