SPECIAL measures are needed to help improve standards at Broomwood Primary in Timperley - even though the school has made good progress recently.

Ofsted inspectors say the school has shown improvements during the past 18 months under the leadership of its new head, Ann Wood.

They also praised the school's partnership with parents and the community.

The report says: "Through high expectations of pupils' attainment, improved curriculum provision and better school development planning, the decline in standards in English and maths has been stopped."

Successes highlighted include improvements in school accommodation and learning resources; good provision for pupils who learn English as an additional language; efficient financial controls and administration; and good extra-curricular provision.

The inspectors also found that parents had very positive views about the school and felt encouraged to take part in the life of the school.

But the Ofsted report says the school has not made enough progress in tackling problems since the last inspection. Concerns include pupils' below average attainment in English, maths, science and religious education both at infant and junior levels; some unsatisfactory teaching in one in five lessons; and the integration of pupils with special educational needs into the mainstream.

Inspectors are pleased with the recent good quality changes to special education provision in the school, though they say these have not yet made a significant impact on standards.

"We have been working very hard to tackle the enormous problems faced by the school and obviously we are very disappointed that Ofsted consider we have not made enough progress," says head teacher Ann Wood.

"But there are many strengths to build on, including the support and involvement of parents. The areas identified as weaknesses had already been noted by the school and are included in our programme of action ."

Broomwood Primary has 209 pupils and half of them - well above the national average - are entitled to free school meals, while more than a quarter are on the register of special education needs, also above the average number.

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