A FAILING primary school is making progress towards being removed from special measures.

Longford Primary School in Britford was rated inadequate by education watchdog Ofsted in October 2013.

Since then it has been inspected four times and, in the latest monitoring report, inspector David Edwards concluded the school was “making reasonable progress”.

The report said the school was beginning to address pupils’ underachievement, with most Year 1 and 2 pupils making progress in reading and maths.

But concerns were raised over “less evident” progress in writing, particularly among the most able children.

The new reception teacher was praised for “quickly gaining an accurate understanding of the learning needs of the children in her class”.

And the report said Years 3 to 6 were now provided with “carefully tailored work to meet their individual needs”.

The inspector wrote: “Pupils’ good behaviour and positive attitudes to learning in lessons have improved significantly since the previous monitoring inspection.

“This improved behaviour is because teachers carefully plan lessons to provide all pupils with more interesting learning that motivates and keeps them engaged.”

It also said children were “developing positive attitudes to learning” and “enjoy coming to school much more”.

New head teacher Naomi Shrimpton has “successfully managed significant changes to teaching provision” since the last monitoring visit, said the inspector.

He also wrote that senior leaders at the school recognised that use of teaching assistants required improvement.

Mrs Shrimpton said: "The children here are very special. They are keen to learn and it is a joy to teach them.

"They deserve a fantastic education and that is what we are striving for. 

"Thanks to the hard work of staff, parents and of course, the children, the changes we have been implementing are having an impact and that this is beginning to be recognised by inspectors.

"There is still more work to be done to secure these improvements but I am in no doubt that the journey has begun and the school will continue to improve."

The 2013 report showed pupils’ achievement, quality of teaching and leadership were all inadequate and outlined a raft of measures needed to get the school back on track.

But in previous monitoring reports in July and October, the school was not deemed to be making enough progress.

Chairman of governors Stuart Fowler said: "I am extremely pleased that the inspectors have recognised the hard work and impact that our new head teacher has had in our journey to making Longford Primary a good school.

"The support of the staff, parents and community has been invaluable.

"The report has confirmed the governing body's determination to strive for the very best for every child in our care and all the governors are proud to see the school improving."